China's booming pet industry leads to fashion event

The Petjoy pet fashion week will be held in Shanghai from March 23-25 in an effort to showcase new developments in the country's expanding pet care industry.

Hosted at the Shanghai Fashion Center, the multiday event seeks to provide insight into how Chinese pet ownership is becoming more emotion-based and style-conscious with the concept of pet fashion.

A centerpiece will be a pet model show that has drawn over 1,000 registrations. Around 200 pets will be selected to participate in the runway with their human companions.

In addition to runway show, the event will also provide an immersive experience catering to owners' diverse relationships with their pets. Themed scenes including pets in travel and at home will be displayed, exploring how pet keepers are integrating their furry companions more into their lives. Industry forums are also scheduled to analyze market trends.

Debuted in 2018, the event looks to acknowledge the rising significance of pet fashion within China's growing pet industry. By 2022, there has been more than 100 million dogs and cats kept as pets in China, according to data from Wangxindun research. It is anticipated that the market will expand from 500 billion yuan ($69.6 billion) in 2022 to 800 billion yuan by 2025.