Designing a retail store layout is a science. Every detail, from the colors and product placement to the flow of customer traffic, is carefully thought out. Even the height of your shelves plays a role in influencing buying behavior.
Studies show that more than half of all purchases are impulse buys. And while you might not have a large budget like big-box retailers, you can still design a layout that encourages those spontaneous purchases. There are plenty of simple pet store design ideas that can make a big difference in your sales without breaking the bank.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry — we’ll throw you a bone with nine pet store design ideas, along with how improving your layout can help boost your business.
An intentional store layout can make a huge difference in your pet store's success. The layout should work for animals as much as it works for people, making it easy for customers to shop and for their pets to enjoy the experience. Small changes can lead to big improvements in how your store performs.
Here are a few ways improving your pet store layout can boost your sales:
Now that you understand why store design is important, here are 10 specific ideas you can try to improve your pet store layout and help boost sales.
It’s simple, but important: Not all pet products are meant for every pet. For example, small cat toys or ointments shouldn’t be within reach of curious dogs who love to chew. A small toy could easily turn into a choking hazard, so make sure dangerous items are kept out of reach.
Organizing products by species, age range, and need helps customers find what they’re looking for faster and keeps traffic flowing smoothly. Keep cat items separate from dog products, and make sure specialized items — like puppy kibble or food for pets with sensitive stomachs — are easy to locate. Everything should have its place, and for good reason.
When designing your store, accessibility makes all the difference. Pet owners want to grab what they need without wasting time. Keep high-demand products easy to reach, and make sure aisles are wide enough for wheelchairs, strollers, carts, and even service animals. You’ll also want to leave space for bulky items, like 50-pound bags of dog food, so customers can move around comfortably.
Related Read: Pet Store Inventory: 4 Key Products To Stock
When designing your layout, make sure there are no dead-end corners where pets might accidentally cross paths and get into scuffles. You never know when a reactive pet might end up in the store, and if things get too crowded, pet owners need to be able to quickly separate their animals.
If you plan to have a pet washing station or offer obedience classes, make sure there’s enough space for those services without getting in the way of regular shoppers. Clear pathways and open areas will keep both pets and people happy, while also allowing customers to grab what they need without hassle.
Lighting can completely change the feel of your pet store. Bright, even lighting in main areas helps customers easily see products and keeps the store looking clean. It’s also important for safety — bright lighting makes it easy to spot any accidents or spills that might happen with pets around.
If you have a space where pet owners can relax, like a pet grooming area or a waiting lounge, use softer mood lighting to make it feel cozy and inviting. That way, it’s not all about functionality — there’s also a comfortable spot for people to kick back while their pets are getting pampered.
Strategic lighting in high-traffic areas, like near premium pet food or toys, can also draw attention to key products and help boost sales. A well-lit store guides customers to what they need and makes everything easy to find.
Interactive displays are a fun and engaging way to get customers excited about your products. They create a hands-on experience that draws people in and encourages them to explore more.
Imagine turning part of your pet store into a mini exhibit — kind of like walking through a zoo. You could set up small displays with fun facts about pets that educate and entertain. For example, a display could explain how many scent receptors are in a dog’s nose or dive into the myth of a cat’s nine lives. Not only does this make shopping more interesting, but it also builds a connection with customers who love learning about their pets.
You can tie these interactive facts directly to products. For instance, a display that explains why dogs need paw protection all year round could be placed right next to the paw protection ointments. Customers will not only learn something new, but they’ll also understand why certain products are important for their pets’ health.
If you carry pet tech like automatic feeders, pet cameras, or pet trackers, let customers interact with them. Set up a display where they can try out the tech and see exactly how it works. It’s a great way to spark interest and move more expensive products — especially those that customers might not have considered buying until they tried them out.
These interactive displays turn shopping into an experience, making your store more memorable, and encouraging customers to leave with a bit more than they planned on buying.
A smooth checkout process makes a big difference, especially in a pet store. People don’t want to stand in long lines, and pets don’t enjoy being stuck in one spot for too long. A fast, easy checkout experience helps customers get in and out without hassle, which is key when your store sees a lot of foot traffic.
To make it even more convenient, consider setting up a self-checkout station. This allows customers to handle smaller transactions quickly, reducing wait times. If your store is busy, a self-checkout option can be a game-changer for customer satisfaction.
Another option is to create a display or station where customers can order products online right from your store if something’s out of stock. This gives them the option to skip the wait and have what they need delivered directly to their home. It’s a great way to ensure customers still get what they want without holding up the line or leaving unhappy.
Having a fast and pet-friendly checkout process, combined with a smart POS system, will help streamline the entire shopping experience. You can offer loyalty rewards, track inventory, and get customers checked out quickly — all while keeping things stress-free for both pets and their owners
Clear signage is key to a smooth shopping experience. Use big, bold signs to mark product sections like "Dog Food," "Cat Toys," and "Grooming Supplies." This helps customers quickly find what they’re looking for without wandering around.
You can also use fun and creative signage to promote special deals, loyalty programs, or limited-time offers. For example, add a sign by the checkout that says “Join Our Pet Club for Exclusive Discounts!”, grabbing attention and encouraging people to sign up.
If you’re in an area where another language is commonly spoken, think about offering signage in that language. This can help a broader customer base feel more comfortable and engaged with your store. Whether it's just the predominant language in your area or a mix of a few, adding that layer of accessibility can make a big difference for customers.
And don’t forget to use signage to educate people about your products. A sign near calming treats could explain how they help with anxiety, or a display of dog food could feature a quick note about how it supports joint health. Signs like these make your store feel more professional — and help people make informed buying decisions.
Highlighting seasonal or limited-time products is a great way to grab attention. Whether it's holiday-themed items, a new pet adoption campaign, or special discounts, make sure these products stand out. Use your window displays or in-store feature sections to showcase them.
Creating a sense of urgency gets customers excited and encourages them to buy before these items are gone.
Fresh food for pets is a growing trend, and for good reason — it’s better for their health and provides them with the nutrients they need. But to keep pet food and medicine fresh, you need to store it properly. Perishable items like refrigerated pet food, treats, or medications should be kept at the right temperature and in easily accessible locations.
Storing these products correctly isn’t just important for pet health; it also keeps your store looking organized and makes it easy for customers to find what they need. When pet owners are shopping for food or medicine, they want to know that it’s fresh and stored safely. Having clear signage, dedicated refrigerated areas, and organized shelves will ensure that perishable items are always in top condition, which builds customer trust and encourages repeat visits.
Related Read: How To Keep Perishable Inventory Fresh at Your Pet Store: 8 Tips
A modern point of sale system can give you a ton of useful information about what’s selling and what isn’t. By tracking sales data, you’ll easily spot the popular products and identify what might need a little extra attention. You can then adjust your displays, stock, or run promotions to move the right items.
A POS system isn’t just for tracking inventory — it can help with marketing, too. You can build customer profiles and send personalized emails or offers based on past purchases. Whether it’s a special discount or a recommendation for a new product, this kind of tailored approach helps build loyalty and keeps customers coming back.
If you’re looking to get creative, a POS system can also help you create pet subscription boxes. Offer customers a monthly subscription that includes a variety of pet products, toys, or treats. The system can help you track which items are popular and create boxes that fit your customers’ needs.
With the right pet store POS, you’re not limited to in-store traffic. If your POS is connected to your website, customers can book grooming or training appointments online and even browse your products from home. This opens up your business to a whole new audience beyond those who live nearby.
Related Read: 8 Practical Pet Store Marketing Strategies
eTailPet helps you bring your pet store design ideas to life with a POS system made for pet stores. With real-time reporting, you can track sales trends and adjust your store displays to highlight top-performing products. The smart ordering feature keeps your shelves stocked with your best-sellers, ensuring a more organized and efficient layout.
eTailPet’s marketing tools allow you to create personalized campaigns and loyalty programs to drive traffic to your store, while the website builder gives you the ability to engage customers online as well. Whether you’re looking to enhance in-store displays or expand your reach beyond your local area, eTailPet gives you the tools to make your design ideas a reality.
Ready to bring your store vision to life? Schedule a free demo.