Independent parcel carrier Yodel has seen pet food deliveries more than double since 2018, as UK consumers turn to online deliveries as a more convenient way to care for their pets.

The significant increase in pet ownership across the UK during the pandemic has been a key driver in the growth of pet food deliveries, with an estimated 3.2 million households taking on a new pet since lockdown began in 2020, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA).

With Covid-19 restrictions coming to an end and more people going back into offices, Yodel has seen a particular surge in the number of pet food subscriptions being taken out. The business now handles more than six million pet food boxes every year.

Growth has been sharp across the UK, with the biggest rise coming from London, where pet food deliveries were up by 277% since 2018, closely followed by the West and Midlands regions, which both increased by 227%.

Carl Moore, COO at Yodel, commented: “With millions of new furry friends on the scene and Covid restrictions over, people are looking for the most convenient way to give their companions the best nutrition and care. Online shopping, particularly with subscription services, gives people one less thing to worry about and means no more hauling big bags of pet food back from the shops.

“Growth in the pet food sector is representative of an overall shift in consumer behaviour towards online delivery, with many now using our services for products which they may not have in the past. This shift also demonstrates our ability to deliver parcels of different shapes and sizes, across a wide range of sectors.”

Yodel continues to expand its presence in the pet food industry, having added Tails, Butternut Box, Zooplus and petplanet.co.uk to its portfolio in recent years.

Visit yodel.co.uk to learn more about its services and shifting logistics trends.