To sell great pet products, you first need great vendors.
Small retail pet stores usually get pet food, toys, collars, and other pet products from wholesale vendors. These large corporations sell high quantities of products at prices lower than retail value, which allows retailers to make a profit when they sell it to customers.
But not all pet store vendors are the same. To get quality products that customers and pets love, you need to choose your vendors wisely.
As the owner of a small pet store, you likely work with multiple vendors to obtain a variety of pet products. Your vendors impact the quality of the products you sell, how you run your store, and how profitable your business is. So, it’s important to research and choose the best option (or options) rather than going with the first one you find.
In this blog, we offer guidance on the vendor selection process, how to work with vendors, and the top pet store vendors you should consider.
As you research potential vendors, the three most important factors to consider are products, prices, and business practices. Let’s look at each of these factors.
First, you need to decide what kind of pet store you want to run — then, you need to find a vendor that stocks the right kinds of products.
To determine your store’s focus, ask these questions:
Once you’ve made these decisions, look for vendors that offer these items.
Regardless of what kinds of pet products you want to sell, ensure the products you order are high-quality. Low-quality pet food or defective pet products deter pet owners from coming back and negatively impact your business. If you notice issues with the products you’re receiving, consider different products or different vendors.
Related Read: What Are the Top Pet Products To Sell in 2025? [& How To Manage Them]
When you’re deciding who to work with, it’s important to compare prices between pet store vendors, too. What prices you can afford depends on the amount of product you expect to sell and the profit margin you expect to make.
For example, if suppliers are charging high prices for organic pet food, but your customers buy lots of it, you can likely make a reliable profit. However, if your customers aren’t as interested in pet clothing and sales are low, paying high prices to vendors for these items isn’t wise.
Look at prices from a variety of vendors to make sure the prices you agree to are reasonable compared to the market. Remember: Look into extra fees, including the cost of shipping, so you can stay profitable.
Related Read: How To Create a Retail Pricing Strategy for Pet Services: 6 Tips
Apart from products and prices, you need a vendor with great customer service and honest business practices. One of the best ways to assess this is to get in contact with a vendor’s current clients. Ask them if the vendor is reliable, if they meet deadlines, and if they’re clear about what they charge. This helps you understand a vendor’s reputation in the industry.
Occasionally, problems occur with orders. You may receive the wrong product, experience delays, or have other issues. You need a supplier who works with you on these issues and quickly corrects them. Look for vendors who go the extra mile to resolve your issues rather than doing the bare minimum.
Related Read: How To Manage a Pet Store: 7 Tips & Tools
Once you determine which vendor or vendors you want to work with, you need to maintain positive relationships with them to keep inventory coming in and to make a profit. Let’s discuss three important ways to manage supplier relationships.
Some pet store vendors are open to negotiation on price. If you order a greater quantity of a certain product, like dog food, you may be able to negotiate a bulk discount. If you prove to be a valuable partner for your vendors, you have more leverage to negotiate deals that benefit your business.
To work effectively with vendors, you need to communicate clearly. Explain your expectations and priorities — and listen as vendors do the same. If you encounter issues, let them know. Be open to feedback if the vendor has an issue with how you’re operating, too. Regular check-ins with vendors may help to resolve issues and to adjust processes where necessary.
Related Read: How To Build Trust With Customers at Your Pet Store: 8 Strategies
To have the best supplier relationships, you need to live up to your end of the bargain. If you agree to a certain price, be sure to pay it within the agreed-upon time frame. If you commit to a certain quantity, stick to it. If your situation changes and you need to adjust your purchasing strategy, give your supplier notice and explain why. Over time, keeping your word helps you earn the trust of your suppliers — which leads to opportunities for better deals in the future.
There are many pet store vendors on the market. Each has strengths and weaknesses, which is why working with multiple suppliers is often best. Here are five of the most trusted pet suppliers in the business.
The pet store vendors you work with have a huge impact on the success of your business. While great products lead to customer satisfaction and loyalty, subpar products cause your business to struggle.
To see success at your pet store, make sure your vendors offer great products at reasonable prices and are willing to help you with customer service concerns. Once you find suppliers you trust, maintain these relationships by communicating clearly and keeping your word.
If working with multiple vendors seems overwhelming, a point of sale (POS) system can help. Industry-specific POS systems offer direct access to industry suppliers — eTailPet is an all-in-one cloud-based POS system designed specifically for pet stores.
Our solution gives users access to a catalog of over 130,000 pet-specific products, so you can place orders right from the system. eTailPet also offers a vendor credit module, which allows you to get credit back from vendors for returned or expired product — saving you money.
To see the difference eTailPet makes for your pet store, schedule a demo today!