Enex launches pet furniture brand here

A dog is seen next to a doghouse and other furniture for pets during a promotional event at an Enex store in Seoul. / Courtesy of Enex

By Park Jin-hai

Furniture maker Enex has launched a pet furniture brand to take advantage of fast growth in the pet market.

The Petory brand includes a pet house, closet and shelves specially designed for pets and their associated products, the company said Friday.

It is the first time a pet furniture brand has been launched here.

Despite the dwindling domestic economy, the pet industry has had double-digit growth in recent years.

Coupled with more people living alone and an aging society, the pet industry is forecast to grow 80 percent to 1.8 trillion won this year from 1 trillion won in 2010. It is expected to grow to 6 trillion won in five years.

More companies are seeking to enter the pet industry by patent-filing and launching pet-related products.

For instance, Honey Sweet has invented an automated pet showering machine that has a shower, dryer and vacuum cleaner. It also plays music to soothe stressed pets.

Nivak Industrial has filed a patent for a pet grooming table equipped with an intake that collects hair as soon as it has been cut. Other patents include a toilet that cleans out pet waste and an LED-lighted portable pet waste disposal box.

Riding on market growth, related businesses such as pet TV channels, pet funeral services and health insurance products also have emerged.

Nearly 10 million people, a fifth of the population, have pets, according to the Korea Kennel Club.

“Because more people regard their pets as companions or children, they don't hesitate to spend on pet-related products,” said an official at Lotte Nestles Korea, which imports Purina dog food.

The average monthly expenditure on pets for each family reached 135,600 won last year, according to the Korea Consumer Agency data.