Apr 28, 2025|
From Premium Care to Smart Tech: Key Takeaways from JD’s 2025 Pet Industry Report
As pet ownership in China continues to evolve, JD.com’s Consumption and Industry Development Research Institute, in collaboration with JD Pet, has released the 2025 Pet Industry Consumption Trends Report. Combining consumer behavior data, a survey of 1,000 pet owners, and expert interviews, the report highlights significant shifts in how pets are integrated into daily life—and how brands can meet the growing demand for premium, personalized pet care.
Pets as Life Partners, Not Just Companions
The report reveals that pets are no longer just animals living alongside their owners—they are now considered family members. Nearly 60% of pet owners include their pets in long-term life planning, while 58.5% create dedicated spaces for them at home. Additionally, 41.1% prioritize “pet-friendly” communities when renting, signaling a shift toward pet-inclusive lifestyles.
Humanization of Pet Care Drives Premiumization
The emotional bond between owners and pets is growing stronger, with 58% of respondents considering their pets as family members and 29% of respondents considering them as intimate friends. This trend fuels demand for human-like care, including pet fashion (25.6% purchase outfits) and professional photography sessions. Notably, 85.5% of owners cite emotional support as a key reason for having pets, and 61.5% are willing to pay for products that enhance their pets’ emotional well-being.
Specialized Nutrition and Smart Pet Tech on the Rise
Pet food preferences are increasingly personalized, with senior dog food sales surging 87% year-over-year. Wet pet food sales are also gaining popularity, up over 260%, while 80% of owners now mix wet and dry food 41% doing so daily. Meanwhile, smart pet tech is booming with searches for pet air purifiers jumping 202%. However, 60% of users express frustration over fragmented smart ecosystems, presenting an opportunity for integrated solutions.
Niche Pets Gain Popularity Among Younger Consumers
The report also notes the rise of exotic pets, particularly among Gen Z owners who see them as an outlet for self-expression and content creation. Supplies for aquatic pets and birds remain top sellers in terms of revenue, while those for reptiles and insects are the fastest-growing category in terms of user growth. This trend reflects broader generational shifts toward individuality and social media-driven pet culture.
As China’s pet market continues its rapid expansion, JD.com’s report underscores a fundamental shift in how pets are perceived—no longer just animals, but cherished members of the family. From humanized care and the adoption of smart tech to the rise in popularity of niche pets among younger generations, these trends reflect deeper societal changes in companionship, lifestyle, and consumption. For brands and industry stakeholders, understanding these evolving priorities will be key to meeting the demands of a market where emotional connection and premium convenience increasingly define pet ownership.
Apr 23, 2025|
JD.com Expands “Starlight Transmission” Book Donation Program to Nurture Reading Habits Among Rural Children
In celebration of the 30th World Book Day on April 23, JD.com’s philanthropic program, the Starlight Transmission, unveiled a comprehensive upgrade for 2025. This year, the initiative aims to further empower rural children by establishing Starlight Reading Corners, Starlight Charity Classes, Starlight Smart Classrooms, and a Starlight Advisory Panel. Together these efforts create a multidimensional support system to provide children access to quality books, inspire a love of reading, and develop lifelong reading habits.
Starlight Reading Corners: Ensuring Access to Books
To address the scarcity of age-appropriate books in rural areas, JD.com has launched a “Million-Yuan Book Donation Campaign” in partnership with JD Books, pledging high-quality books worth over RMB 1 million. Additionally, 7FRESH, JD’s omnichannel supermarket chain, will organize a “Books for Veggies” drive to encourage public participation, and JD Insurance will provide funding to support children’s reading. The program aims to set up 300 Starlight Reading Corners across 15 schools and 300 classrooms. Book selections will be curated by education experts and leading publishers, tailored to children’s developmental needs and interests.
Starlight Charity Classes & Smart Classrooms: Nurturing Reading Skills
Beyond offering access to books, the program is dedicated to cultivating reading skills and curiosity. Starlight Charity Classes will feature renowned authors and editors through interactive reading sessions online and offline. In collaboration with L’Oréal, JD.com will donate laptops, tablets, and e-learning tools to rural schools, enabling children to explore digital books, live courses, coding, and AI – broadening their intellectual horizons.
The first Starlight Charity Class premiered via livestream on April 23, featuring children’s author Liu Haixi and publisher Zhang Ziyi, who shared insights on fostering reading habits.
Starlight Advisory Panel: Maximizing Impact
To ensure lasting impact, JD.com will establish a Starlight Advisory Panel comprised of experts in child education and literacy.The panel will monitor progress, evaluate outcomes, and refine strategies to optimize the program’s impact. These experts will also assist in book selection, guaranteeing that every donation enriches young minds.
JD.com’s Legacy in Social Responsibility
JD.com has long championed social causes, from supporting 38 underprivileged children in Shanxi to disaster relief during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and ensuring COVID-19 supply chain efforts. In rural education, JD.com has donated 300,000 books and over RMB 1 million in educational supplies since 2018, benefiting 300+ schools. With the upgraded Starlight Transmission program, JD.com reaffirms its commitment to opening doors to more promising futures for rural children.
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