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  • 9 November, 2026

    Blog

    Christmas 2026: What holiday pet buying means for manufacturers

    Written by Aries Aquitania

Introduction

The festive season is one of the busiest periods for pet product sales. Owners treat their companion animals to gifts, treats and special meals, creating a sharp spike in demand for certain formats. For pet food manufacturers, this seasonal surge brings both opportunities and operational challenges. In this blog, we look at how holiday buying patterns are shaping production and what this means for packaging and palletizing lines.

More treats, gifts and seasonal formats

Holiday ranges often include premium treats, gift sets and limited-edition packaging. These products are popular, but they also mean more SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) and shorter production runs. Manufacturers may need to switch frequently between bags, boxes, tins and pouches while maintaining consistent quality.

Sustainability expectations remain high

Even during the festive season, pet owners continue to value sustainable packaging. Many expect recyclable materials and clear information about how to dispose of packs. Brands therefore balance attractive seasonal designs with packaging that meets retailer and regulatory requirements.

Planning for seasonal peaks

For manufacturers, the key is to design lines that can absorb short, intense peaks without compromising efficiency or safety. That means thinking ahead about how many seasonal SKUs the line must handle, how quickly it can change between formats, and whether packaging can be stacked securely without excessive secondary material. It also helps to consider how the end-of-line solution will cope with higher volumes over a few weeks and whether it can still support product development once the holiday period is over.

Conclusion

Holiday buying highlights a pet food market that is increasingly diverse, premium, and sustainability-conscious. These trends place additional demands on production and end-of-line processes. Manufacturers that prepare for flexible formats, reliable pallet stability and efficient changeovers will be better positioned for festive peaks and future growth. Would you like to discuss how automation could support your seasonal production plans? Feel free to contact Verbruggen Palletizing Solutions.

Aries Aquitania
Key Account Manager – Pet Food, Verbruggen Palletizing Solutions

“Seasonal peaks are a good test of how flexible and robust a production line really is.”