If you run a pet store, you’ve probably asked yourself: How do I compete with Chewy or Amazon?
They’re big, fast, and everywhere. But they don’t offer what you do — personalized service, expert advice, and real relationships with the people (and pets) in your community.
E-commerce helps you meet modern shopping habits without losing your local edge. It gives regulars more ways to buy from you and helps new customers find and trust your store.
Here are 11 practical benefits of e-commerce for pet retailers — and how to use them to grow your business.
It can feel like big-box retailers are taking over — and still expanding. From aggressive acquisitions to deep discounts, national chains dominate the retail space.
But small businesses aren’t going anywhere. They still make up 40–50% of all U.S. economic activity and employ nearly half the country’s workforce.
Whether it’s frustration with major brands, a desire to support neighborhood stores, or the search for real community in a digital world — people are shopping local again. And they’re willing to spend more to do it.
Still, most mom-and-pop stores haven’t fully embraced e-commerce. This is a missed opportunity. A solid online presence doesn’t replace your local ties — it strengthens them. You can support your community, partner with nearby businesses, and increase profits all at the same time.
Let’s dive into the various benefits of e-commerce for your pet supply store.
Most of your customers still want to shop locally — they just don’t always have time to make the trip. E-commerce gives them more ways to buy from you without losing that personal, neighborhood connection.
Think of the busy dog owner who’s out of food and doesn’t want to lug a 40-pound bag through the store. With the right tools, they can order online, pick up curbside, or get it delivered that afternoon.
Offer features like:
These features used to be a bonus. Now, they’re part of how customers decide where to shop. Offering these choices keeps you competitive with national retailers without losing your local edge.
How to use it: Invest in a solid point of sale (POS) system that keeps track of inventory both online and in-store, so you can manage it all from one place.
Most pet stores close by dinner time. But your customers don’t stop needing food, litter, or last-minute treats just because your doors are locked.
With e-commerce, your store never really closes. Customers can browse, check stock, or place an order anytime — even when you’re closed or with family.
It’s a small shift that makes a big difference. You can:
The easier you make it to shop with you, the less likely they are to turn to Amazon out of habit.
How to use it: A comprehensive POS system can automatically sync inventory between your physical shop and online store. As a result, shoppers always know what’s available in real time. The right POS software also includes an integrated website builder, so you can launch and manage your e-commerce site from one platform — no hard-coding or temperamental plug-ins required.
Related Read: How To Create a Successful Pet Store E-Commerce Website
Your store can’t carry everything — and it shouldn’t have to. Shelves fill up quickly, and stocking every item for every type of pet isn’t realistic.
But online, you can sell far more without using a single inch of floor space. For example:
This way, your shop stays clean and easy to navigate, while still giving customers more of what they want.
How to use it: A POS system designed for pet stores includes access to a vendor catalog, so you can browse and add items easily. You can see which suppliers carry which products, and then you can contact them directly about options like drop-shipping. This means you can offer large or niche items — like grain-free kibble, pet-safe de-icer, or joint supplements — without needing to stock them yourself.
Related Read: How To Choose & Manage Pet Store Vendors [+ 5 Top Vendors]
Most pet owners buy the same staple products on a regular schedule — kibble, litter, treats, and supplements. If reordering takes too long, they’re likely to default to Chewy or Amazon.
Your e-commerce site can make reordering simple and reliable. You can:
Making this process seamless builds trust. It turns one-time buyers into loyal, repeat customers.
How to use it: Choose a POS system that supports subscription services and recurring purchases. A platform like this also allows you to send automated reorder reminders via email or SMS, so customers never run out of their must-have items.
Related Read: 9 Tips for Profitable Pet Subscriptions
You can’t beat big-box stores on selection or shipping speed — but you can beat them on service.
In addition to purchasing pet supplies, your customers are buying advice, connection, and trust. Personalization helps you deliver that at scale, even online.
With the right e-commerce setup, you can:
Small touches like these keep your store top of mind — and they’re what national chains miss.
How to use it: Look for a POS system with built-in marketing tools that allow you to create pet profiles, segment customers, and automate personalized messages. You can prompt for reviews, send tailored offers, and set up recurring communications that feel thoughtful instead of generic.
Opening a second storefront can cost over $100,000 and take months to launch depending on your location. An e-commerce site costs far less and is much faster to set up — no lease and no extra staff required. It’s the simplest way to expand your reach without expanding your footprint.
You can start reaching:
Even as you sell to more people outside your zip code, you’re not abandoning your roots. You’re simply giving more pet lovers access to your products — and bringing attention back to your local brand.
You can even use your site to promote non-sales content, like grooming tips or pet wellness reminders. This kind of value increases trust, not just transactions.
And when you earn revenue from nonlocal orders? You can reinvest it into your community through sponsorships, events, or partnerships with local rescues.
How to use it: Use POS software with social media integrations and e-commerce tools. Link your store to your Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok accounts to get more eyes on your products, content, and promotions.
If you’re selling online and in store, your systems need to work together. Otherwise, you end up with inventory issues, confused staff, and unhappy customers.
The right setup can:
When all your tools communicate with each other, you reduce errors, cut down on manual work, and improve the customer experience — no more guessing what’s in stock or overselling products you don’t have.
How to use it: Choose a POS system that integrates your e-commerce site with your in-store inventory. It automatically updates stock levels as items are sold or returned and generates purchase orders when stock is low.
Managing a pet store means juggling customers, inventory, staff, and suppliers. E-commerce should lighten the load — not add to it.
Rely on automation to handle tasks like:
You don’t have to spend hours on emails or marketing. Let your system do the work in the background while you run the store.
How to use it: Use an all-in-one POS system that includes marketing tools. It allows you to set up automated email or SMS messages — for example, a message that goes out two weeks after someone buys dog food, asking if they’re ready for more. This kind of automation keeps customers engaged without extra work on your end.
Pet content already does well online. People love sharing their animals — and watching yours. If you’re building an audience, you can also be making sales.
With the ideal tools, you can:
You’re already putting effort into social media. E-commerce helps you get more out of it.
How to use it: Find POS software that connects to your social channels and e-commerce site. This way, when you post about a new toy or treat, customers can click straight through and purchase it. You can also see what content converts best, so you can share more of what works.
Related Read: Social Media Marketing for Pet Stores: 15 Creative Ideas
It’s hard to grow your store if you’re relying on gut instinct. E-commerce gives you data you can actually use to make smarter decisions.
You can track:
Over time, you can start to see patterns. And those patterns tell you what to double down on — and what to stop wasting time and money on.
How to use it: A solid POS and e-commerce setup surfaces key data for you automatically. Look for one with integrated reporting tools that make it easy to view trends and compare performance. No spreadsheets or digging through tabs — just clear insights you can act on.
Not every item can ship everywhere. From flea medications to frozen dog food, some products come with restrictions.
E-commerce helps you navigate those challenges instead of ignoring them.
You can:
You don’t need to operate like a national warehouse. Just be smart about how and where you fulfill orders.
How to use it: Choose a POS and e-commerce system that lets you control shipping zones and fulfillment rules. With this type of system, you can tag items for pickup-only, limit deliveries to specific zip codes, and organize product settings based on local laws or supplier requirements.
You don’t need to start from scratch to bring your pet store online. eTailPet is a specialized e-commerce and POS system built specifically for pet retailers. It includes an integrated website builder that keeps your inventory synced in real time across both online and in-store sales.
The platform supports subscription boxes for repeat customers and offers automated purchase order creation to help streamline restocking. It also manages flexible shipping zones and accounts for local regulations, so you can sell smarter and stay compliant.
eTailPet gives you detailed reporting tools that track sales, marketing performance, and customer trends all in one place. Built-in marketing features like promotions, review requests, and follow-up campaigns help you nurture loyalty with every sale. And with eTailPet’s Share It social media tool, you can easily promote products and updates across platforms to boost visibility and keep your audience engaged.
Designed to complement your existing store — our industry-specific software makes e-commerce simple for pet stores. Schedule a free demo of eTailPet today to see it in action.