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Why Pet Stores Are Going Online in 2026 And How Retailers Can Win in the Fast-Growing Pet Supply Market

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Atlas Softweb

Published

June 8, 2026

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Web Development

Why Pet Stores Are Going Online in 2026 And How Retailers Can Win in the Fast-Growing Pet Supply Market

The pet industry has become one of the world’s most resilient and fastest-growing markets. And today, a major share of that growth is happening online.

Pet parents who once drove to their neighborhood pet store for food, treats, toys, or supplements are now placing orders from their phones, often through subscription programs and auto-ship services. Whether it’s early morning or midnight, convenience is driving purchasing decisions.

For traditional pet retailers, the reality is simple: customers haven’t stopped buying. They’re just buying differently.

The businesses meeting customers online are the ones seeing the biggest growth.

At Atlas SoftWeb, we help pet brands and retailers launch, scale, and market high-performing ecommerce stores on Shopify and Magento. Our focus is not just building beautiful websites, it’s creating stores that turn first-time visitors into loyal, repeat customers.

In this guide, we’ll look at the size of the online pet opportunity, why pet retailers need an e-commerce presence now more than ever, and how the right store and marketing strategy can create long-term recurring revenue.

The Pet Industry Is Growing Fast And Online Sales Are Leading the Way

Pets have become like family members in many households. As a result, pet owners are spending more than ever on proper food, supplements, grooming products, apparel, toys, wellness products, and even pet technology.

The numbers tell a compelling story:

  • The global pet care market was valued at approximately $273 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow from around $289 billion in 2026 to nearly $499 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of roughly 7%.
  • The U.S. pet market alone reached about $165.6 billion in 2026 and is projected to grow to $228 billion by 2031.
  • The pet industry has recorded growth every year for more than 25 consecutive years, including during economic downturns and recessions.
  • Nearly 67% of U.S. households, representing about 87 million homes, own at least one pet.

While these figures are impressive, the game changes when you know where consumers are spending!

  • The U.S. online pet food and pet supplies market is valued at approximately $28.8 billion in 2026.
  • More than 35% of all pet supply purchases now happen online, and that percentage continues to rise.
  • The global online pet care ecommerce market is expected to reach nearly $60 billion by 2030, growing at close to 12% annually.

This is a large, stable, and rapidly expanding market. Retailers without a strong online presence are increasingly competing for a smaller share of in-store traffic while more customers move to digital channels.

Why Pet Retailers Need an Online Store?

Many local pet stores have built loyal communities over the years. But relying solely on foot traffic is becoming increasingly challenging.

Here’s what moving online can unlock.

1. Your Customers Are Already Shopping Online

This shift isn’t temporary; it’s become the new normal.

Around 41% of U.S. pet owners now purchase directly from brands through direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels.

Among younger consumers, the numbers are even higher:

  • 69% of Gen Z pet owners buy DTC.
  • 58% of Millennials buy DTC.

Millennials now represent the largest pet-spending generation, and nearly 90% of them research pet products online before making a purchase.

If your business doesn’t have an online store, you’re often missing customers at the exact moment they’re deciding what to buy.

2. Subscription Programs Create Predictable Revenue

One of the biggest advantages of e-commerce is recurring revenue.

Pet products are naturally subscription-friendly. Food, treats, litter, supplements, and bedding all need regular replenishment.

That’s why auto-ship programs continue to grow in popularity.

  • Around 48% of U.S. pet owners currently use subscription or auto-ship services.
  • Usage increases to 67% among Gen Z and 61% among Millennials.

Customers who subscribe are far more likely to stay loyal because their purchases happen automatically. This significantly increases customer lifetime value while reducing the need for constant re-acquisition.

A physical-only store simply cannot capture this level of recurring business.

3. You’re No Longer Limited by Geography

A retail store can only serve customers within driving distance.

An e-commerce store can serve customers across the country or around the world 24 hours a day.

There are no additional storefront costs, no limits on shelf space, and no restrictions on when customers can shop.

4. Pet Products Thrive on Social Media

Few industries perform as well on social media as the pet industry.

Pet-related content consistently generates strong engagement across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Influencer partnerships also tend to perform exceptionally well because pet owners trust recommendations from fellow pet lovers.

An e-commerce store allows you to convert that social engagement directly into sales.

5. Better Data Leads to Better Decisions

Online stores provide valuable customer insights.

You can see:

  • What customers purchase most often
  • How frequently they reorder
  • Which products do they browse
  • What gets added to carts but is not purchased

This data helps improve inventory planning, personalized recommendations, abandoned-cart recovery campaigns, and customer retention efforts.

These insights simply aren’t available through traditional over-the-counter transactions.

Shopify or Magento: Which is better 

The platform you choose affects everything from customer experience and subscriptions to scalability and long-term growth.

At Atlas SoftWeb, we build on both Shopify and Magento based on business goals and operational needs.

Shopify

Shopify is often the fastest way to launch a modern, conversion-focused pet store.

It’s particularly well-suited for:

  • Direct-to-consumer pet brands
  • Retailers transitioning online
  • Subscription-based businesses
  • Growing ecommerce brands

Its extensive ecosystem of subscription, loyalty, and review applications makes launching auto-ship programs straightforward.

Magento (Adobe Commerce)

Magento is ideal for larger operations that require:

  • Extensive product catalogs
  • Multi-store management
  • Advanced inventory systems
  • International selling
  • Deep customization

For enterprise-level pet retailers and complex ecommerce operations, Magento offers unmatched flexibility and control.

Our job is to help determine which platform aligns best with your goals and then build a shopping experience that matches how pet parents actually buy.

Pet Ecommerce Stores We’ve Helped Build

Our experience spans direct-to-consumer pet brands as well as large-scale retail operations.

Some examples include:

The Dog Bakery – https://www.thedogbakery.com/ 

A popular pet brand specializing in fresh-baked dog treats and celebration cakes, supported by a vibrant and conversion-focused shopping experience.

Omni Pet – https://omni.pet/ 

A modern pet nutrition brand with a clean, trust-focused ecommerce experience designed to educate customers and drive conversions.

Shop Rocky Kanaka – https://www.shoprockykanaka.com/ 

A purpose-driven pet brand that combines strong storytelling with a seamless shopping journey.

Not Just a Pet Store – https://notjustapetstore.nl/ 

A European pet retailer demonstrating how e-commerce can extend a local store’s reach far beyond its immediate market.

Flip Coffee – https://flipcoffee.com/ 

While outside the pet industry, this project showcases the same conversion-first ecommerce principles we apply across all sectors.

Every store reflects the Atlas philosophy: build around customer experience, repeat purchases, subscriptions, and frictionless checkout.

Features That Turn Pet Shoppers Into Long-Term Customers

The most successful pet ecommerce stores aren’t built just to generate a first purchase. They’re designed to encourage repeat orders.

Features That Help Win the First Sale

  • Prominent subscription and auto-ship options
  • High-quality product photography
  • Detailed product information
  • Customer reviews and user-generated content
  • Clear trust signals throughout the shopping journey

Pet parents are thoughtful buyers, especially when purchasing food, supplements, and wellness products.

Features That Increase Average Order Value

  • Frequently bought together recommendations
  • Product bundles
  • Loyalty and rewards programs
  • Personalized product suggestions based on pet type, breed, or purchase history

Features That Drive Repeat Purchases

  • Easy subscription management
  • Pause, skip, and modify subscription options
  • Reorder reminders
  • One-click reordering
  • Guest checkout
  • Transparent shipping information

All of these features work together to reduce friction and strengthen customer loyalty.

In pet ecommerce, the most valuable customer is often the one who returns every month without needing additional persuasion.

Why Partner with Atlas SoftWeb?

For more than 14 years, Atlas SoftWeb has helped businesses build and grow successful e-commerce operations across 38+ countries.

For pet brands and retailers, we bring together three critical areas under one roof:

E-commerce Development

Performance-driven Shopify and Magento development for brands looking to scale subscriptions, increase repeat customers, and grow recurring revenue.

Conversion-Focused User Experience

Store experiences designed to increase trust, improve engagement, and encourage repeat purchases.

Performance Marketing

Integrated digital marketing strategies, including:

Because we manage both the e-commerce platform and the marketing strategy, we’re able to optimize the entire customer journey from the first click to a long-term subscription customer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth moving my pet store online if I already have a physical shop?

Absolutely. Online pet sales now account for more than 35% of all pet supply purchases, and nearly 90% of younger pet owners research products online before buying. An ecommerce store helps expand your reach, increase visibility, and create recurring revenue opportunities through subscriptions.

Should I choose Shopify or Magento for my pet store?

Shopify is typically ideal for direct-to-consumer brands and retailers entering ecommerce. Magento is better suited for larger catalogs, multiple storefronts, and more complex operations. Atlas helps identify the best fit based on your business requirements.

Why are subscriptions important in pet ecommerce?

Pet products are recurring purchases by nature. With approximately 48% of U.S. pet owners already using subscription services, auto-ship programs help increase customer retention and lifetime value while creating predictable revenue streams.

How long does it take to launch a pet ecommerce store?

Shopify stores can often be launched within a few weeks. Magento projects generally require more time depending on catalog size, integrations, and customization needs. Atlas provides timelines based on your specific goals and requirements.

Does Atlas SoftWeb provide marketing services as well?

Yes. We offer complete ecommerce growth solutions, including website development, Google Shopping campaigns, social media marketing, SEO, and paid advertising, ensuring your store and marketing efforts work together as a unified revenue engine.

Ready to Grow Your Pet Business Online?

Whether you’re launching your first ecommerce store or scaling an existing pet brand, Atlas SoftWeb can help.

We design, develop, and market high-performing Shopify store design and Magento ecommerce solutions for pet brands, built to drive growth, subscriptions, recurring revenue, and customer loyalty.

Let’s discuss your goals and create an online store that keeps pet parents coming back again and again.Book a discovery call at atlassoftweb.com.

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