Hong Kong pet owners spend more at pet-friendly malls

Nearly half of Hong Kong residents own pets, and 67% of pet owners say they are willing to spend more at pet-friendly malls, according to new YouGov research.

The report, The rise of pet-friendly retail in Hong Kong, explores how pet ownership is shaping expectations around malls and shopping experiences. It is based on a survey of 1,021 Hong Kong residents aged 18 and above, conducted from 4 to 9 December 2025.

Hong Kong’s pet economy is being shaped by an estimated 1.2 million pets and a resident base where almost one in two people own an animal.

Those aged 55 and over make up the largest share of pet owners at 31%, followed by residents aged 35 to 44 at 21% and 45 to 54 at 20%. Younger owners make up a smaller share, with those aged 25 to 34 accounting for 17% and 18 to 24s at 11%.

As more malls welcome pets, 55% of pet owners are aware of Airside, followed by Go Park Sai Sha, The Wai, and The Mills.

Over half of pet owners visit shopping malls at least once a week and the figure rises to 64% on weekends. Only a small minority have never visited malls during weekdays (less than 3%) or on weekends (2%).

When it comes to time spent inside malls, 33% of pet owners stay for one to two hours, 30% stay for less than an hour, and 29% stay for two to three hours. Eight out of ten pet owners spend at least HK$200 during each visit. Among them, 10% spend HK$1,000 or more, and 11% spend HK$2,000 or more.

When inside these complexes, pet owners heavily prioritise the food and beverage sector, with 34% ranking pet-friendly F&B outlets as their top priority. Supermarkets and grocery stores followed at 23%, followed by department stores (13%), fashion and apparel (12%), and entertainment/leisure (9%).

Awareness of pet-friendly malls mainly comes from online channels, mall operators, and word of mouth. Social media is the top source at 55%, followed closely by mall websites at 50%. Friends and family account for 35%, while pet communities or forums make up 33%. In contrast, pet retailers and related brands contribute only 23%.

When asked about their preferred pet-friendly events at malls, half of pet owners (50%) choose pet product flea markets as their top pick. This is followed by free pet grooming or health check booths at 44%, pet-friendly dining promotions at 43%, and adoption days or charity events at 31%. Pet photography sessions also appeal to 31% of respondents.

Pet-friendly malls do more than just boost customer satisfaction; they also encourage more spending. Two-thirds of pet owners (67%) say they are willing to travel further for a truly pet-friendly mall, while 71% report higher overall satisfaction when malls have welcoming pet policies. In addition, 67% say they would spend more on food, drinks, and shopping if there were no restrictions.

This surge in retail adaptation comes at a time when Hong Kong is actively championing a macro "pet economy" to rejuvenate domestic spending and modernise urban living for its population of over 400,000 cats and dogs.

To help ease the long-standing regulatory ban on dogs inside dining establishments, the government is introducing a new licensing scheme to allow leashed dogs into approved eateries. In its initial rollout phase, 1,000 balloted restaurants will be permitted to welcome dogs (excluding hotpot and barbecue establishments) starting 9 July, provided they clearly display official signage at their entrances.

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