As a pet store owner, you know the pet industry is booming — from 2022 to 2023, revenue in this sector increased by 16%.
Many people view their pets as essential for their mental and physical health, making them an important part of the family. According to Forbes, few other industries can match such strong value drivers for continued growth.
To meet the rising demand for all types of pet products — from food and toys to organic shampoos and training equipment — it’s important to offer customers flexible shopping options, whether online or in store. Customers expect a seamless shopping experience, regardless of location or platform.
To fulfill these expectations, you need a unified point of sale (POS) e-commerce system that integrates both online and brick-and-mortar sales with inventory tracking into one platform. This approach not only simplifies operations, it enhances customer satisfaction by giving shoppers a consistent experience.
In this blog, we’ll explore the numerous benefits of a comprehensive POS e-commerce solution for pet stores and highlight some top providers to consider.
The Benefits of a Unified POS E-Commerce System
Implementing a unified POS e-commerce system can significantly boost your business operations. Here are some key benefits of bringing together your in-store and online sales processes:
- Streamlined operations: One of the biggest perks of a unified system is how it simplifies your operations. With everything managed from one platform, you can say goodbye to juggling multiple systems and reduce the chance of errors. This means easier inventory management, customer tracking, and reporting.
- Real-time inventory management: Keeping tabs on inventory is a must for any retail store. A good POS e-commerce solution offers real-time inventory updates, so you always know what you have in stock across all channels. This helps prevent overselling and stockouts.
- Enhanced customer experience: Customers expect a smooth shopping experience, whether they’re in your store or browsing online. A unified system lets you provide consistent product info, pricing, and promotions everywhere. This builds trust and encourages repeat visits, boosting customer loyalty.
- Improved customer Insights: A POS e-commerce system collects valuable customer data from both online and in-store transactions. You can use this info to create targeted marketing campaigns, personalized promotions, and loyalty programs. Understanding your customers’ preferences helps you connect with them better and drive more sales.
- Omnichannel selling opportunities: Today’s shoppers often switch between online and offline. A unified POS e-commerce system allows you to offer various options like buy online, pickup in-store (BOPIS), or ship-to-home services. By catering to different shopping preferences, you increase your chances of making sales and keeping customers satisfied.
- Reduced operational costs: While investing in a comprehensive POS e-commerce system may seem overwhelming, it can save you money in the long run. By consolidating your systems, you cut down on multiple subscriptions and training costs. Plus, smoother operations and better inventory management can lead to lower labor costs and less waste.
With all these benefits in mind, you might be wondering which unified POS e-commerce platform is right for your pet store. In the next section, we’ll highlight some of the top options available, making it easier for you to choose the best fit for your business needs.
Top 5 Providers of POS E-Commerce Solutions for Pet Stores
Now that we’ve explored the numerous benefits of a unified pos e-commerce system, let’s take a closer look at some of the top providers that cater specifically to pet stores. Choosing the right provider can impact your pet store's efficiency and customer satisfaction.
1. eTailPet
eTailPet is an ideal choice for pet retailers needing a specialized POS e-commerce solution. Tailored for the pet industry, it offers features like inventory management, customer loyalty programs, and marketing tools. The user-friendly interface and in-depth analytics capabilities help pet store owners streamline operations and enhance the shopping experience, both online and in-store.
One of the standout features of eTailPet is its support for BOPIS (buy online, pickup in-store) and local home delivery. This allows customers to purchase products online and either pick them up at your store or have them delivered locally, catering to their preferences while driving foot traffic. Plus, the ship-from-store feature leverages your physical inventory to fulfill online orders, ensuring quicker delivery times and efficient stock management.
eTailPet excels in webshop integration, optimizing your online store for mobile devices to enhance the shopping experience for smartphone and tablet users. With the ability to create a bespoke custom website, you can engage customers with detailed product information. Plus, auto-generated email order status updates keep customers informed throughout the fulfillment process, fostering trust and connection.
Overall, eTailPet offers comprehensive features that support omnichannel operations for pet store owners.
Pricing: Build your platform to suit your needs. Contact for custom pricing or to schedule a demo.
Related Read: What’s the Best Pet Store Rewards Program? 5 Options
2. Square for Retail
Square for Retail provides a versatile POS e-commerce solution that seamlessly integrates in-store and online sales. With features like efficient inventory management, customer relationship management, and detailed sales reports, Square caters to pet stores of all sizes.
Their e-commerce platform allows you to easily create a professional online store, while their hardware options — such as card readers and registers — ensure a smooth in-store experience. This flexibility makes it a great fit for pet retailers looking to engage customers across multiple channels.
Pricing: Square starts at the low price of $0/month. You can also tailor the platform to your needs for customer pricing.
3. Lightspeed
Lightspeed is a POS e-commerce solution that caters to various industries, including pet stores. The platform features advanced inventory management and integrated e-commerce, allowing for seamless operation between online and physical locations. With real-time inventory tracking, users can monitor stock levels across all sales channels, helping to minimize issues like overselling.
A notable feature of Lightspeed is its support for BOPIS (buy online, pickup in-store), allowing customers to order online and collect their purchases in store. This approach is convenient for shoppers and increases foot traffic. Additionally, the ship-from-store capability allows you to fulfill online orders using physical inventory, potentially improving delivery times.
Lightspeed also offers a customizable online storefront, which lets retailers create tailored shopping experiences. The platform includes reporting tools to analyze sales performance across various channels, providing insights that can inform business decisions for pet stores looking to navigate the omnichannel landscape.
Pricing: Their Core Package starts at $149/month. You can also receive custom pricing to tailor their system to your pet store needs.
4. Shopify POS
Shopify is well-known for its e-commerce capabilities, but its POS system also excels at integrating both in-store and online sales. Shopify POS allows pet stores to manage inventory, process transactions, and analyze sales — all from one platform.
With a wide range of customizable themes and apps, Shopify enables you to create a unique shopping experience tailored to your customers. Whether they’re shopping online or visiting your store, Shopify ensures a cohesive experience that encourages loyalty and repeat business.
Pricing: Shopify does offer a free trial, but you must contact sales directly for pricing.
5. Clover
Clover offers a versatile POS system that includes e-commerce capabilities, allowing pet store owners to manage sales both online and in-store. The platform features integrated payments, enabling businesses to accept various payment methods seamlessly across all channels, whether customers are shopping in-person or online.
Clover provides real-time inventory management, helping retailers track stock levels across all sales channels. This capability minimizes the risk of overselling and ensures that inventory is accurately managed.
The system also allows for the creation of detailed customer profiles, which helps pet store owners track purchase history and preferences. This feature supports personalized marketing efforts and enhances customer relationships.
With customizable hardware options and a range of apps, Clover is a flexible solution for pet retailers looking for an all-in-one system that accommodates both online and brick-and-mortar operations.
Pricing: Contact Clover directly for deals and new-customer pricing.
Unlock Better Omnichannel Management With eTailPet
Adopting a comprehensive omnichannel approach is essential for success. eTailPet provides a variety of tools to streamline your operations and enhance the shopping experience for your customers, whether they’re visiting your store or browsing online.
With a mobile-optimized webshop and custom content pages, you can create a seamless and engaging shopping experience. Plus, auto-generated email order status updates keep customers informed throughout the fulfillment process, ensuring they feel connected to their purchases.
eTailPet’s POS e-commerce system helps you manage both in-store and online sales through centralized inventory management and min/max stock tracking. This means you can maintain accurate stock levels across all sales channels, reducing the risk of overstocking or stockouts. By keeping everything in sync, you can meet customer demands more effectively, whether they’re shopping in your store or online.
Implementing loyalty programs and managing gift cards further strengthens customer relationships and encourages repeat business. When you leverage these strategies, you can build deeper connections with your customers and drive sales — positioning your pet store for long-term growth in an evolving market.
Ready to see how eTailPet can transform your pet retail business? Schedule a free demo today!
