Ding-dong! Doorbell for pets on sale

ReTAiL chain Accessorize, which specialises in selling bags, purses, jewellery and shoes for women, is to sell accessories for a different type of market . . . pets.

The firm will be offering matching coats, collars and leads for four-legged friends and even a new tech gizmo – a pet doorbell – so your furry friend can let you know that it is just outside.

it’s all part of a bid to tap into the £4bna-year market for pet merchandise in the UK. in recent years Britain’s animal-lovers have splashed out on more than just food and grooming. items now include clothing, technology and treats such as special pampering have become the norm.

More people are viewing their pets as part of the family and are committed to spending even when times are tough financially.

The retailer intends to stock basic items such as coats and collars as well as more unusual products.

As well as the doorbell there is a Jimmy Chew dog toy in the form of a shoe which looks similar to the luxury Jimmy Choo footwear brand, and a dog treadmill so that owners can exercise their pooches if they don’t want to take them outside.

Accessorize, which is owned by entrepreneur Peter Simon who founded clothing store Monsoon from a stall on London’s Portobello Road in 1973, has teamed up with online retailer PetsPyjamas to provide the new range for dogs and cats.

John Bovill, a director at Monsoon Accessorize said: ‘We will be launching the PetsPyjamas range. Accessorize is devoted to bringing the most exciting and eclectic products to the high street.’

The boom in the market comes as more people own cats and dogs.

one survey in America shows 68 per cent of owners say they treat their pets as well as they treat their children.