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Owning a pet store is rewarding, but it’s not always a walk in the park.
Some weeks, customers are lined up for new toys, food, or those adorable holiday sweaters. Other times, it’s eerily quiet. January hits, the holiday rush is over, and suddenly you're wondering if you overordered everything.
Then there’s the summer slowdown when families are traveling or focused on camps. Or the early fall dip when folks are back-to-school shopping and pet supplies slide down the priority list.
All of this can put a strain on your pet store cash flow.
These slow months aren’t your fault. They're part of the natural rhythm of retail, especially in the world of pet retail. But that doesn’t mean they have to catch you off guard.
In this blog, we walk through seven real-world ways to prepare for (and survive) your slower seasons.
1. Know Your Store’s Natural Rhythm
Every pet store has its own ups and downs, and the first step in helping you manage them is to know when they happen.
Start by looking at the past 12–24 months of sales. If you’ve been open for less than a year, even the last six months can reveal some patterns.
When were your busiest months? When did things get quiet?
Here are some typical slowdowns for pet stores:
- January–February: This is the after-holiday hangover. Customers are recovering from spending and aren’t shopping unless they have to.
- Mid-summer: July and August can be slow when families are on vacation.
- Mid-month dips: Paycheck cycles matter! Many stores see more sales around the 1st and 15th.
But keep in mind, every pet store is unique. There are easy ways to keep tabs on your store’s rhythm, like using your point of sale (POS) system to track sales trends automatically.
With eTailPet, the POS system made specifically for pet stores, sales reports are easy to understand and break down by month, category, or brand, so you can spot patterns and plan ahead without needing to be a numbers expert.
2. Build a Safety Net When Business Is Booming
If you’ve ever had an unexpected emergency where you had to shell out cash, you know how helpful it is to have a just-in-case fund.
Your business is no different.
One of the smartest things you can do during your busiest seasons is to set aside money for slower months. Aim to save two to three months’ worth of basic operating expenses.
This includes:
- Rent or mortgage
- Payroll
- Core inventory (food, meds, everyday items)
- Utilities and software subscriptions
Let’s say your store’s essentials cost about $8,000/month. Setting aside $2,000–$3,000 from each busy month between October and December could give you a $6,000–$9,000 buffer for January and February.
Even if you can’t hit that full savings target, building some reserve can make a huge difference.
3. Don’t Let Inventory Drain Your Cash
One of the biggest traps pet store owners fall into is ordering too much.
It’s easy to get excited about a new product and place a huge order just in case. But tying up too much money in inventory, especially before a slow season, can leave you short on cash and overstocked.
This is especially tricky with:
- Perishables like treats, raw food, and supplements
- Seasonal gear like dog coats or flea meds
- Expensive slow-turn items like large crates or high-end pet beds
Instead of guessing and hoping for the best when it comes to inventory, look at what really sells in your pet store — and how fast.
With eTailPet’s smart order system, you can automatically generate suggested purchase orders based on what’s actually selling. It helps you order just the right amount, which is especially helpful when you’re trying to keep cash free during lean times.
Related Read: The Best Pet Store Inventory Management Software: 5 Top Providers
4. Talk to Your Suppliers About Payment Terms
You may be used to paying invoices right away, but it’s okay to ask for help if you need it.
Most distributors understand the seasonal nature of retail — and if you’ve been a good customer, they might be more flexible than you think.
Try negotiating:
- Net 30, 45, or even 60 payment terms
- Split payments for large orders
- Delayed billing during slower seasons
Even pushing a payment by two or three weeks can help smooth out your pet store’s cash flow and let you sell some of that inventory before the bill is due.
Here’s how to ask:
“We’re heading into our slower season and trying to manage cash flow closely. Is there any flexibility on this invoice’s due date or terms?”
You won’t always get a yes, but you’d be surprised how often vendors are willing to work with you, especially if you’re proactive.
5. Discount With Strategy
When sales slow down, it’s tempting to start slashing prices. But quick-fire discounts can hurt your bottom line and train customers to wait for markdowns.
Instead, think about creative ways to move product without giving away your profits:
- Bundle deals: Pair a slow-mover with a bestseller (“Buy a bag of food, get a toy 50% off”).
- Loyalty perks: Offer special pricing to regulars through your rewards program.
- Donation drives: Partner with a local rescue to donate unsold stock (and write it off).
- BOGO events: Buy one, get one (BOGO) half off sales can work wonders.
If something has to be discounted (like an expiring product), mark it clearly and use it to draw people in. A clearance bin by the register can move product fast.
6. Build Predictable, Recurring Revenue
Cash flow in your pet store gets a lot easier when money comes in before your customers walk in. Over 11% of shoppers now opt for scheduled delivery services, and nearly 4% say they no longer shop in store for everyday items thanks to their subscription plans.
Adding recurring revenue streams helps your store stay steady during even the quietest weeks.
Here are a few easy wins you can try out:
- Subscription boxes or auto-reorder plans for food, litter, or treats
- Curbside pickup or local delivery — a small convenience fee adds up
- Grooming, training, or vet partnerships that bring in consistent referrals
For example, 30 customers on a $60/month food subscription = $1,800/month in reliable income.
Even if walk-in traffic slows, that recurring revenue gives you breathing room.
Related Read: 9 Tips for Profitable Pet Subscriptions
7. Let Your POS System Do the Heavy Lifting
A good POS system can be your best ally when it comes to pet store cash flow.
Instead of guessing what to order or stressing over sales trends, your system should help you:
- Prevent overordering during slow times.
- Identify what’s actually selling (and what’s collecting dust).
- Keep the essentials stocked without tying up cash in extras.
- Automate reorders so you never miss a beat.
eTailPet is a POS system that was built just for pet stores, so all these tools are already included. And when you’re heading into a slower season, having that kind of control and clarity makes all the difference.
If you want to learn more about how eTailPet can help your pet store’s cash flow, schedule a demo today.
