Rise in UK pet spending adds to changing ‘couch economy’ habits, Visa research finds

Growing pet-related spending is emerging as one of the trends shaping Britain’s ‘couch economy’, as new Visa research reveals how increasingly home-centred lifestyles are changing where and how UK households spend.

Around 5% of UK payment cards now show regular spending at pet merchants, up approximately 1.5 percentage points since 2019. The growth reflects recurring demand across pet food, care, grooming and related services as pets become a more prominent part of household life.

The findings form part of Visa Business and Economic Insights’ report, The Great Indoors: How the ‘Couch Economy’ Is Redefining Consumer Spending Habits, which explores how changing lifestyles, digital engagement and rising expectations around convenience are reshaping consumer behaviour.

The research also finds:

• Frequent online shopping has almost doubled: Nearly three in 10 (28%) UK payment cards now make 10 or more online or in-app purchases each month, up from 15% in 2018.
• Digital payments account for a growing share of spending: 26% of UK domestic payment volume now takes place online or in-app, up from 20% in 2019.
• Streaming is outpacing nights out: Streaming and pay-TV subscriptions reach a greater share of UK cards than cinema and concert spending, a pattern that has continued even after cinemas and live events reopened.
• Food delivery is embedded in everyday routines: Around 15% of UK cards regularly use food delivery platforms.

Rob Cameron, CEO of Visa UK & Ireland, said:

“Pets have always been an important part of family life, but our data suggests they are also playing a growing role in household spending. Regular demand for everything from food and grooming to care and other services shows how changing lifestyles are influencing where our money goes.

“What we’re seeing more broadly is that the ‘couch economy’ extends well beyond online shopping. As convenience becomes a bigger part of everyday life, consumers are increasingly turning to products and services that fit seamlessly around how they live. For businesses, that creates opportunities across digital commerce, subscriptions, delivery and other services that build ongoing customer relationships.”

The full report can be found here.