The State of Pet Retail:
2026 Industry Report

Who let the customers out?

Get eTailPet’s free 2026 pet industry report, with real survey and POS data from independent pet retailers showing why trips are down and what your store can do about it.

Get the report

eTailPet Industry Report LP graphic 1 (1)

Why increased pet spending
isn't bringing more visits

Pet spending hit a record high in 2025, but that money isn’t showing up as more trips to your store.

Transactions per store fell 15.6% over the last two years, even as the customers who do show up spend a little more each visit.

This report breaks down that gap and gives you specific moves depending on your store’s tenure, from newly opened to decades in business.

What's inside the pet retail report?

Find your store type 🏪

Compare growth outlook, service mix, and biggest opportunities against three retailer profiles based on tenure.

Spot the real-food shift 🍖

Raw and frozen food are the fastest-growing categories in pet retail. See how that shift shows up in customer behavior.

Get tips to increase visits 📈

Specific moves to get customers in the door more often, based on real survey and POS data from independent retailers.

eTailPet's inventory tracking is a game changer.

"The ability for store owners to submit feature requests and getting them on the roadmap for development has been really important in terms of the transition."

Pennye Jones-Napier

Co-Founder & Co-Owner of the Big Bad Woof

I would recommend eTailPet.

"eTailPet has this huge product universe that feeds in all these products from all the stores that use the systems so I think that's probably the best, most helpful feature."

Amy Ko

Owner, Ham + Bone

We have used eTailPet ever since we first opened.

eTailPet was our first and only point of sale software. Their point of sale system with the website integration offers lots of customization, and support is always there, making them indispensable to us.

Ryan Meeks

Owner, Paw of the Family

eTailPet is just so easy to use.

Their inventory system is intuitive and it perfectly integrates with our online orders. eTailPet is much easier than our previous point of sale system was.

Jody Maddox

Owner of Wags! Dog Emporium

eTailPet has revolutionized
our business.

We've used eTailPet for three and a half years. Their point of sale system and product universe offer excellent item availability and pricing guidance. Their support is always there, making them indispensable to us.

Janet

Owner, Pet Pros

The State of Pet Retail: 2026 Industry Report