Has your man’s image gone to the dogs? Man’s best friend beats man himself in the grooming stakes - it’s not a shaggy dog story - 6 March 2006
It’s not just the show dogs at this year’s Crufts that are groomed to perfection. According to new research by Yell, publisher of Yellow Pages directories, Britain’s pooches could be on their way to being more pampered than their male owners.A study of business classifications relating to both pet and male grooming in over 100 Yellow Pages directories reveals huge increases in businesses aimed at the four legged market, but a gradual decline in traditional sartorial services for their two legged male owners.
Since 2001 the number of Dog & Cat Grooming businesses in the directory has increased by 93%, Dog Training is up by 138% and Home & Pet Sitting up by 587%. In comparison listings associated with male grooming such as Shavers & Razors (-22%), Clothes Shops – Men (-5%) and Tailors (-5%) have all experienced a decline.
The power of the poochie-pound is also demonstrated by the increases in Pet Supplies (+26%), Pet Services (+184%), Kennels (+16%) and Vets (+14%) over the past five years.
Celebrity dog dressers Paris Hilton and Colleen McLoughlin would be at home in Exeter where they can snap up the latest head-to-paw designer ensembles - it boasts the highest number of Pet Shops. In fact, the cathedral city emerges as the most pet-friendly city, thanks to its proliferation of listings across all pet-related classifications. The top five hotspots for canine care also include Northern Ireland, Peterborough, Norwich and Brighton.
Glasgow’s hounds are arguably the country’s most precious, with more Pet Insurance companies listed in this directory. While molly-coddled canines in Southampton will never be left home alone thanks to the city’s numerous Home and Pet Sitting businesses.
Northern Ireland is revealed as the best location for a canine short-back-and-sides, as the local directory has more Dog & Cat Grooming services than any other Yellow Pages directory. And in Portsmouth, the pooches can literally sit up and beg for their pampering treats, as it is home to the highest number of Dog Training Services.
But if your man looks like an utter dog’s dinner, it’s not all bad news. Perhaps you could point him in the direction of Image Consultants, like those James Nesbitt uses in the current Yellow Pages TV advert? The Image Consultant classification has increased by 94% since 2001 with businesses most prevalent in London.
Simmone Daniels, owner of pet pampering parlour Goochi Poochi in Peterborough and a previous winner of Yellow Pages Best Business Names award said; “My business has really benefited from high-spending customers who want the very best for their four-legged friends. From diamante collars to deep conditioning treatments, we give our canine customers the VIP experience. It just never occurred to us that their masters might be foregoing their own grooming treats in order to foot the bill!”
Richard Duggleby, head of external relations at Yell, publisher of Yellow Pages directories, said: “Our research shows that it is pet grooming rather than traditional male grooming businesses that has enjoyed the biggest increase over the last few years. In fact, pet related businesses are enjoying such a boom that we will be introducing dog walking as a new business heading later this year. Man’s Best Friend is clearly enjoying a life of luxury!”
The UK’s Pampered Pet Hotspots are:
· The Most Pet Shops: Exeter, Preston, Norwich, Northern Ireland, Newcastle
· The Most Dog & Cat Grooming services: Northern Ireland, Exeter, Norwich, Peterborough, Bolton
· The Most Home & Pet Sitting Services: Southampton, Exeter, Canterbury, Norwich, Basingstoke
· The Most Dog Training services: Portsmouth, Preston, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cambridge
· The Most Boarding Kennels: Peterborough, Chester & North Wales, Northern Ireland, Norwich, York
