Festive Dog Treats: How to Boost Sales This Holiday Season (A Retailer’s Guide)
The holiday season isn’t just a time for human celebrations—pet owners are splurging on their furry friends too. According to data from the American Pet Products Association (APPA), pet treat sales surge by an average of 40% during peak holiday periods, creating a golden opportunity for retailers to boost profits and stand out from the competition. Festive dog treats, with their seasonal charm and high demand, are key to capitalizing on this trend. Here’s how to leverage them effectively—plus why partnering with Pet Union Groupensures your holiday success.
Why Festive Dog Treats Are a Retail “Must-Have”
In a market flooded with generic pet products, seasonal treats offer retailers a powerful way to drive growth. Here’s why they’re non-negotiable for your holiday lineup:
1. Higher Profit Margins
Seasonal products naturally command price premiums, and festive dog treats are no exception. Compared to regular treats, holiday-themed options (think Christmas-shaped biscuits or Halloween pumpkin chews) can fetch 30–50% higher prices—with no extra effort on your part.
💡A mid-sized pet retailer added Halloween pumpkin treats to their lineup last year and saw a 25% profit increase in just one month. The seasonal twist made customers willing to pay more for the festive flair.
2. Increased Purchase Frequency
Holiday treats trigger impulse buys and encourage customers to spend more. For example, Christmas “advent calendars” with daily treats or Valentine’s Day gift sets turn single purchases into multi-item transactions. These bundles not only boost average order value but also introduce customers to new products they’ll repurchase year-round.
3. Brand Differentiation
Custom seasonal packaging—like Christmas stockings printed with your store logo or Halloween boxes featuring your brand colors—creates memorable experiences that build loyalty. When customers associate your store with joyful, high-quality holiday treats, they’ll return long after the season ends.
Top 4 Holiday Trends: Festive Dog Treat Directions to Stock
To maximize sales, align your offerings with the biggest holiday moments. Here are the top seasonal themes pet owners crave, featuring Pet Union’s star products that fly off shelves:
1. Christmas: Joyful & Nostalgic
Pet owners love incorporating their dogs into Christmas traditions, making festive treats a staple.
Must-Stock Examples:
Dog Advent Calendar
A 24-day countdown with grain-free dental chews (supports oral health) and mini training treats—perfect for daily holiday excitement.
Santa Chews
Rawhide-free Santa-shaped chews with a chicken-filled center, combining festive fun with digestible, human-grade ingredients.
Xmas Giftbox
Assorted differently shaped Christmas treats together for gifting.
2. Halloween: Spooky & Playful
Pumpkin and fall flavors dominate, with fun shapes adding to the appeal.
Must-Stock Example:
Halloween Skeleton Bones
Skeleton-structured mini bones made with pumpkin and chicken—grain-free and perfect for spooky season snacking.
Pumpkin Chews
Pumpkin shaped and flavored chews double the Halloween fun.
3. Thanksgiving: Cozy & Flavorful
Comfort food-inspired treats mirror family feasts.
Must-Stock Example:
Thanksgiving Turkey for Dogs
Grain-free turkey-flavored chews with a tender, meaty texture—real turkey is included in ingredient list to satisfy seasonal cravings.
4. Valentine’s Day: Sweet & Sentimental
Heart motifs and love-themed flavors resonate with pet parents showing their pups extra affection.
Must-Stock Example:
Valentine’s Chocolates for Dogs
Dog-safe “chocolate” bars made with carob (a cocoa alternative) and chicken—long bar shape for easy sharing and extra love, with no added sugar.
Retailer’s Playbook: How to Select & Promote Festive Treats for Success
Choosing the right products and marketing them effectively is key to holiday success. Follow these steps:
1. Prioritize Practicality in Product Selection
- Long Shelf Life: Choose treats with 12+ month shelf lives, avoiding waste post-holiday.
- Universal Appeal: All our seasonal treats are suitable for puppies to seniors and all breeds, maximizing your customer reach.
- Allergen-Friendly: Our holiday lineup is grain-free, wheat-free, and free from artificial colors or flavors, catering to dogs with sensitivities—critical for trust.
2. Bundle for Higher Sales
Create gift-ready bundles to encourage larger purchases.
3. Time Your Marketing Strategically
- Stock Up Early: Order 3 months in advance (e.g., October for Christmas) for secure inventory.
- Tease Early: Share sneak peeks of seasonal products on social media 6–8 weeks pre-holiday.
- Leverage Urgency: Highlight “limited edition” labels (e.g., “Only 50 advent calendars in stock!”) to drive impulse buys.
Partner with Pet Union: Your Festive Treat Secret Weapon
To make this holiday season your most profitable yet, partner with Pet Union Group for turnkey seasonal solutions:
1. Curated Holiday Collections
Our lineup includes fan-favorites shapes and flavors—all made with human-grade ingredients.
2. Flexible Customization
Add your store logo to packaging to build brand recognition.
3. Fast Lead Times
Need last-minute stock? Our 45-day turnaround ensures you never miss a holiday sales window.
Conclusion: Plan Early, Win Big This Holiday Season
Festive dog treats aren’t just cute additions to your inventory—they’re profit-driving tools that boost margins, increase customer loyalty, and set your store apart. By stocking Pet Union’s top-performing seasonal treats, bundling strategically, and marketing early, you’ll turn this holiday season into your most successful one yet.