Pulse May 2016 | Page 17

Millennials Soon to Become Largest Pet-Owning Generation o you want to attract millennials into your spa? You may want to reconsider your no-pet policy. According to Stifel Equity Research, millennials will not only make up almost half of the workforce by 2020, they will also soon surpass baby boomers as the largest pet-owning generation. Thus, if you intend to attract millennials into your spas, inviting their furry friends may prove to be a good strategy for your business. Millennials are also likely drawn to work for companies that are pet-friendly or those that support and give back to animal welfare organizations. According to a 2015 Society for Human Resource Management survey, eight percent of workplaces now allow employees to bring their furry loved ones to work, up from five percent in 2013. The same survey found nine percent of companies, such as Google, offered pet health insurance to employees. There’s a practical reason behind some companies’ approval to bring pets to work. In a study conducted at Replacements, Ltd. in North Carolina, researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University found that nearly half of research participants who brought their dogs in reported increased productivity, while 25 percent said dogs positively affected their productivity. D Attracting millennials to the spa may soon mean catering to their need for a pet-friendly environment. FIND OUT HOW you can make your spa or business welcoming to pet owners and their furry friends. Read “Making Spas Pet-Friendly” on page 48. May 2016 ■ PULSE 15