Inventory Management Software for Pet Stores | eTailPet

If you want to consistently meet customer demand, you need to stock the right products — which means you need to keep your inventory management processes in check. 

The easiest way to do this is to use a dedicated software.

Inventory management software for pet stores helps you make sure your pet products are always available, so you can keep pets and their owners happy. It’s a valuable tool that allows you to streamline your business processes by:

• Monitoring inventory stock levels
• Managing purchase orders
• Tracking sales
• Managing operations across multiple locations

The right system helps you avoid unexpected delays and gives you a clear view of your inventory — this ensures popular items like pet food and toys are readily available for your customers. 

In this blog, we’ll explore five things you should know about inventory management software for pet stores.

1. Importance of Inventory Management for Pet Stores

Managing a pet store involves selling pet products and making sure you maintain a reliable stock of the essentials your customers rely on, and effective inventory management helps you keep an accurate count of what’s available and lets you know when to restock. Here are some common products all pet stores should stock:

• Pet food (dry and canned foods, specialized diet food)
• Pet treats (training treats, dental chews, bones)
• Grooming supplies (shampoos, brushes, combs, nail clippers)
• Pet toys (chew toys for dogs, interactive toys for cats)
• Health and wellness products (supplements and vitamins, flea and tick treatments)
• Pet accessories (collars, leashes, beds, crates)

With the right inventory management tools, you don’t have to worry about running out of popular products. This will improve your customers' experience and ensure your customers can get the resources they need for their pets.

Related Read: Pet Store Inventory: 4 Key Products To Stock

2. Types of Pet Store Inventory Management Software

Inventory management software is a must if you want to efficiently track inventory in your pet store. There are two main types: locally-hosted and cloud-based.

Locally-Hosted Inventory Management Software

Locally-hosted inventory management software is installed on the company’s internal computer systems and requires regular maintenance and updates. This setup stores data on local servers, which can lead to a risk of data loss if your hardware and/or software fails. 

Plus, as the volume of data grows, it becomes more challenging to manage and scale the information on local servers.

Cloud-Based Inventory Management Software

On the other hand, cloud-based inventory management software offers several advantages over locally-hosted solutions. These systems are hosted offsite by providers who implement advanced security measures to protect customer data, ensuring that access is limited to only necessary personnel. 

Cloud-based systems are easily scalable, adapting to the needs of businesses of any size. If you want better control over your inventory, cloud-based solutions are ideal. With easy scalability and greater data security features, you can trust that your data is safe from theft or accidental loss.

Also, the service provider handles all updates and maintenance, which eliminates the need for internal server upkeep. Cloud-based systems give your pet store the flexibility and security you need to efficiently manage diverse inventory.

3. Key Features To Look For

Make sure to consider the features when choosing the right inventory management software for your pet store. Here are the key features that make a difference:

• Inventory tracking and monitoring: Keep an eye on your inventory in real time, with features designed for tracking pet-related products. Get clear visibility into which pet supplies, food, and accessories are stocked, their locations, and when they’re running low. Plan reorders easily to maintain a seamless shopping experience for your customers and their pets.
• Order management: Simplify your purchasing process by automating orders for pet food and other essentials. Automate purchase orders and vendor invoices to keep your shelves stocked with the necessary supplies.
• Supplier and vendor management: Monitor vendor performance, delivery times, and product quality. Get insights into pricing trends to keep popular pet products competitively priced and well-stocked.
• Forecasting and demand planning: Use accessible data for accurate demand forecasting to help you make informed decisions about future inventory needs, and avoid overstocking or shortages of essential pet products.
• Reporting and analytics: Obtain comprehensive reports on key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify areas for improvement specifically related to pet product sales.

By focusing on these essential features, you can choose an inventory management system that not only meets your operational needs, but supports the growth of your pet store. 

Remember: Well-organized inventory is key to providing the best service possible to owners and their pets.

Related Read: The Guide to Selling Pet Products at Your Retail Store

4. Advantages of Implementing Inventory Management Software

Incorporating inventory management software into your pet store operations can transform the way you handle stock and customer service. This will improve inventory accuracy and streamline the process. Here are some of the key advantages to think about:

• Improved accuracy and efficiency in inventory tracking: Track your stock levels with precision to reduce costly manual errors and simplify the task of monitoring product availability.
• Better visibility and control over inventory levels: Get a comprehensive view of your stock, so you can make informed adjustments and minimize the risk of overstocking or understocking essential items.
• Streamlined order fulfillment and shipping: Maintain an organized, up-to-date inventory to quickly locate and ship products — this way, you reduce customer dissatisfaction and enhance the overall shopping experience.
• Reduced risk of overstocking or understocking: Avoid unnecessary costs with real-time data and analytics that support smart decision-making about inventory levels to ensure optimal resource allocation.
• Improved decision-making with real-time data and analytics: Leverage valuable insights provided by the software to fine-tune your supply chain — this ensures that the right resources are available at the right time.

Implementing inventory management software in your pet store will improve your day-to-day operations. It also improves your pet store’s customer experience by having pet products and supplies available — make sure you build your store reputation with your inventory management software.

5. Factors To Consider When Choosing Your Software

When considering the different pet store inventory management software options, think about these factors in order to make the best decision:

• Cost 
• Integration 
• Ease of use 

Evaluate costs and make sure the software is compatible with existing systems, like your accounting, customer management, and point of sale (POS) software. You should also ensure that the software is user-friendly and easy to use for all team members.

These key factors can help you choose a software solution that supports both operational needs and business growth, laying the groundwork for a well-managed pet store inventory system.

Related Read: How To Build Trust With Customers at Your Pet Store: 8 Strategies

Discover eTailPet's Inventory Management Software for Pet Stores

As you explore the options for inventory management software for your pet store, focus on the specific needs and size of your business. When making your decision, you should:

• Evaluate scalability and ease of use to support business growth and staff accessibility.
• Make sure it has essential features like integrated barcode scanning and smart order based on top-selling pet products.
• Verify strong reporting tools for stock insights and trends.
• Confirm seamless integration with systems like POS and accounting applications.
• Prioritize features based on your store's size, from basic stock management to advanced lot tracking.

When it comes to managing your pet store's inventory, you need a tailored software solution designed to address the specific challenges faced by your industry. 

eTailPet is an all-in-one POS software that includes inventory management for pet stores. Key features include:

• Real-time inventory tracking: Always know what's in stock and when to reorder.
• Seamless integrations: Effortlessly connect with your existing POS systems for smooth operations.
• Advanced reporting capabilities: Get insights into sales trends and stock levels to drive informed business decisions.
• Service management: Easily schedule, manage, and track pet services like grooming and boarding to boost customer satisfaction and store efficiency.

Take control of your inventory and meet customer needs consistently. Schedule a demo with eTailPet today to see how our pet store inventory management software can support your business goals.