"Lotte Mart Specializing in Health Opens First Pet Specialty Store 'Collioli'"

Lotte Mart Pet team members are introducing the first 'Collioli' store on the 2nd floor of Lotte Mart Eunpyeong branch, which opens on the 9th (Photo by Lotte Mart).

6 Trillion Won Scale Pet Market + Targeting the Growing 'Petfam'
Sales of Pet Supplements, Functional Snacks, Health Foods, etc.
Expansion of Living Products such as Pet Households and Appliances, and Customized Items for Pet Lifestyle Patterns

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] Lotte Mart is launching a new pet specialty store called 'Collioli' for the 'Petfam' (pet+family) who raise companion animals.

While the existing 'Pet Garden' operated by Lotte Mart focused mainly on pet food and supplies, the newly opened 'Collioli' at Lotte Mart Eunpyeong branch has diversified pet care and management services such as hospitals and grooming salons. By organizing a health-specialized zone and selling pet-exclusive appliances and furniture, it also considers the tastes and trends of various 'Petfam' consumers.

'Collioli' is a new total pet store by Lotte Mart that dreams of a happy life for companion animals, combining the fluffy dog 'Colli' like broccoli and the round cat 'Oli' like an olive. Its goal is to propose pet food that provides a balanced diet and eating pleasure for pets recognized as family members, as well as play and rest products that satisfy natural instincts even at home.

Lotte Mart explained that they put great effort into preparing this store opening by composing the Pet team members who planned 'Collioli' entirely of employees who raise dogs and cats, aiming to build empathy with 'Petfam' consumers and accurately understand their needs.

The term 'Petfam,' meaning people living with companion animals, is steadily increasing. According to the '2021 Korea Pet Report' released by KB Financial Group Management Research Institute, about 14.48 million people raise companion animals, accounting for 29.7% of all households. This means one in four households raises pets. The pet-related market size is expected to exceed 6 trillion won this year, with an anticipated annual growth rate in the double digits. As the lifespan of companion animals lengthens and COVID-19 infection cases have been discovered, demand for products that manage pet health and boost immunity is steadily rising.

In line with these trends, 'Collioli' has established the first-ever health functional food specialized zone for pets in the distribution industry. The biggest advantage is that customers can find a more diversified range of health foods than before, including pet prescription diets, health supplements, functional snacks, health foods, and senior pet foods.

Upon entering the store, basic service items such as pet hospitals, grooming salons, insurance, and funerals are available, along with unique service products like customized pet ID tags and 3D figure production.

Recent changes in pet product trends are also reflected. The cat product market shows an annual growth rate of about 20%, exhibiting a steeper growth trend than the dog market. Accordingly, the assortment of cat-related products has been increased, and products such as furniture and items for indoor spaces where pets and people can spend time together, as well as convenient pet appliances, have been significantly strengthened. A specialized space equipped with cat litter boxes and automatic feeders has been prepared, and furniture items like houses and pet doors can be directly experienced in the store. Products for pet health have also been expanded, including steps and mats for patella protection, cat towers for exercise, and harnesses.

Previously, pet products were centered on the people raising pets, but now there are products considering the lifestyle patterns and wild instincts of dogs and cats, such as toys made at appropriate heights for easy digestion, nose work to assist dogs’ olfactory activities, and scratchers that help cats mark their territory.

Meanwhile, the 'Lotte Mart GO' application will operate the 'Collioli Pet Club,' offering additional discounts and benefits to customers who join the club.

Yoon Jeong-hyun, Pet Team Leader at Lotte Mart, said, "We aimed to implement a pet specialty store reflecting the continuously growing pet market and changing pet product trends. We plan to continuously expand 'Collioli' stores and introduce various products and services that capture the hearts of 'housekeepers' (pet owners)."