2 December 2021: It’s not just the kids howling with excitement this silly season as research from eBay, Australia's most visited shopping site1, reveals nearly one-third of pet owners will buy their furry friend a Christmas present, forking out an average of $60 per pet, resulting in a collective spend of $360-million.
The expression ‘man’s best friend’ rings true for Australian men who are planning to spend an average of $713 on their pet while their female counterparts will cough up $563. But it’s the owners of fish who will splash the cash with nearly a quarter (23 per cent3) planning to spend over $1003.
Millennials are planning to prioritise their pets over other members of the family with 30 per cent more likely to buy their pet a Christmas present than their grandmother and 23 per cent more likely to buy their pet a gift than their grandfather!
eBay Australia’s Sophie Onikul said, “With pet ownership reaching record highs since the pandemic2 began, we’ve used our unparalleled pool of buying and selling data to predict the hottest items for pawrents.
“We know people see their pets as part of the family so it’s no surprise to see the trends for pets reflect what we’re seeing in kids’ toys with sustainable and interactive toys coming out on top. With 40,000 Australian retailers, eBay is the best place to treat a cat, dog or even a fish this Christmas.”
eBay top trends for furry friends this Christmas:
- Calming: 24 per cent of owners say they want a toy that comforts their pet. As more people head back to the office the K&H Mother's Heartbeat pillow that simulates a mother’s heartbeat is designed to calm anxious puppies during times of separation. For the cat people, the Catit Cat Senses 2.0 Wellness Centre includes brushes, textures and massage ridges to help cats relax and groom themselves
- Interactive: The automatic ball launcher will keep dogs exercising for longer without the owner - ideal for those with tired arms from playing fetch. And there’s no excuse to miss a picnic with the bicycle basket dog carrier which allows pets to be taken everywhere and anywhere
- Sustainable: Gen Z is looking to purchase products that reflect their values with over a quarter (27 per cent3) seeking sustainable or eco-friendly toys for their pets. The BECO Eco Friendly Catnip Wand features a hummingbird catnip toy that will keep cats engaged in play for longer while being kinder to the environment
With eBay research showing more than a quarter (28 per cent)3 of people find Christmas shopping more stressful than visiting the dentist, those looking for ease and convenience can sign up to eBay Plus. eBay Plus is a shopping membership that unlocks free express metro delivery6, free returns on eBay Plus items and access to exclusive deals all year round. Shoppers can choose to join eBay Plus for $4.99 a month or for a $49 annual fee. New members can start their free 30 day eBay Plus trial here7.
eBay’s top pet picks of 2021:
Notes to editors
Download product imagery here for all eBay’s top pet picks for Christmas 2021.
For more information, please contact:
Samii Avdic, Pulse
T: 0402 609 749| E: samii.avdic@wearepulse.com.au
Natasha Moate, Pulse
T: 0435 524 039 | E: Natasha.Moate@wearepulse.com.au
About eBay:
eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) is a global commerce leader that connects millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets around the world. We exist to enable economic opportunity for individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations of all sizes. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay is one of the world's largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2020, eBay enabled over $85 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.
Footnotes:
1Similarweb 2021
2Animal Medicines Australia, Pets and the Pandemic: A social research snapshot of pets and people in the COVID-19 era report, conducted by Newgate Research, 2021
3Lonergan research amongst 1,030 Australians aged 18+ years old, commissioned by eBay Australia, 8-14 October 2021
6Free express metro delivery excludes WA, NT & TAS. eBay Plus T&Cs apply
7$4.99 monthly instalments or $49 annual fee applies post trial. For new members only. eBay Plus T&Cs apply