6 Game-Changing 2024 Trends For Pet Retailers

Whether you’re new to the pet retailer space or not, you know one thing for sure…

The pet industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace!

The same is true as we kick off 2024.

So, what can you “get ahead” of as a pet retailer?

What is going to reshape the pet retail landscape?

And how can you utilize those hot (some new, some not) trends for growth and more customer engagement?

Here are 6 pet retail trends we foresee sticking around in 2024 and beyond:

1. Utilizing technology in your pet retail business while maintaining customization for your customers.

As a pet retailer, you know time is… hard to come by. (Is that the understatement of 2024 so far?!)

Marketing is a consistency game, and when there aren’t enough hours in the day, it can be difficult to commit to staying on task and making sure your pet retail business is showing up online (and elsewhere!)

Enter: Artificial Intelligence. Yup, AI is actually revolutionizing the way pet retailers approach their marketing, but the key is being strategic in how you use it so that your customers still get the customized experience and advice they also crave!

Here are a few examples of how AI can help you plan and execute more of a consistent marketing plan in your pet retail business without sacrificing a customized experience for your customers:

Brainstorming a social media plan. Use it to help you expand on content ideas, come up with a posting schedule, and create a baseline for copy and visuals. Take some of your customers’ frequently asked questions and use those as a baseline for AI to help you expand on! Use those topics in your marketing to speak directly to your customers’ pain points and make them feel heard.

Utilize chatbots until you have time to respond. AI-powered chatbots are a customer service solution that will help your customers feel taken care of! They can provide immediate assistance when you’re busy working in your business, and your customers’ inquiries will never sit unanswered for too long. Then, go back and offer your unique advice in a catered response when you have the time!

Create scripts for easier video content batching! We can almost consider video marketing another ongoing trend, but it’s tough to find time to batch video content when you’re busy in the day-to-day of your pet retail business. Brain dump your video topics and thoughts and use AI to help you create quick scripts to make the recording process a lot faster and smoother!

AI can be a useful tool in your pet business marketing without missing the mark on the human connection your customers crave. You just have to be strategic and use it as a tool, not a complete solution!

2. The millennial pet parent shift.

Millennials are giving a whole new meaning to treating pets like family… mostly because as a whole, they’re not starting or pursuing having kids as early as previous generations (or sometimes at all.) This demographic shift is something pet retailers should pay close attention to!

With “life milestones” like starting families and buying homes happening later in life for millennials, they’re trending to spend their extra income on lavishing their pets with the finer things in life– like luxury diets, products, and even experiences.

Time to tap into that millennial mindset! Take a look at your offerings. Do they cater to this growing “my pet is my family” concept?

Even if your audience does consist of other generations, make sure you’re starting to tie in messaging that can speak across age groups. Millennials are looking for authenticity, social responsibility, and a sense of community. By helping them celebrate their pet-centered lifestyle, you’re sure to retain them as loyal (and lucrative) customers!

3. Convenience reigns supreme in pet retail!

The bottom line is– convenience is everything. And the more our world keeps hustling and bustling, the easier we want things to be, including shopping for our pets.

The last few years have seen a rise in consumers prioritizing ease and efficiency, and as it turns out, those things DO make our lives more enjoyable and less stressful. So naturally, we want more! Pet retailers have to keep adapting to stay competitive and relevant.

The key to capturing and retaining customers in this evolving landscape is to streamline the shopping experience! Online ordering, in-store pickup, and home delivery services are no longer luxuries but expectations for modern shoppers. Implementing or enhancing these services can significantly increase convenience for your customers, making your store the preferred choice over online giants. Subscriptions for regular deliveries of food, treats, or other pet necessities can also keep your customers coming back, providing them with peace of mind and regular engagement with your brand.

What does this mean for your online presence? Well, it’s more crucial than ever, really! If you’re not offering an online store quite yet, it’s time to start thinking about when you can get one up and running. And if you have– you’re off to a great start! Keep growing it, even if you haven’t found momentum there quite yet. Focus on your online traffic strategies and keep at it.

It is the era of convenience, and your pet business can thrive if you meet pet owners where they are and deliver the seamless experience they’re looking for.

4. Fresh and gently cooked food and knowledgeable pet owners are IN.

When exploring new products to bring into pet retail, you cannot ignore the growing popularity of the fresh an gently cooked food category. We saw a big rise in this category in 2023, and it’ll only continue to grow as more informed pet parents explore customized diets and products for their pet’s needs.

Business Research Insights drives these points home in their July 2023 article:

“The fresh pet food market has been witnessing several key industry developments in recent years, driven by shifting consumer preferences and growing awareness of pet health and nutrition. One significant trend is the increasing popularity of personalized and customized fresh pet food options. Pet owners are seeking tailored meal plans that cater to their pets’ specific needs, taking into account factors such as age, breed, size, and dietary sensitivities.”

Talk to your customers. Ask them questions about their pets’ diets, and find out if this is something they’re trying to explore. The more market research you can do within your own customer base, the more you can do to adjust your product offerings to cater to your customers’ needs!

5. Birthday pawties are all the rage!

It only makes sense that the more pets are treated like family, the more people want to go ALL out on celebrating their pets at every opportunity!

If you haven’t noticed, there’s an uptick in pet birthday planning services, birthday cake bakers, and more in the online space, and we’re honestly here for all of it. You know we love a good pawty!

If you haven’t thought about how you can incorporate birthday and “gotcha day” celebrations into your pet retail business, 2024 is the year to do it! This might look like bringing in more celebratory products, like toys, treats, and birthday apparel, or perhaps offering fresh bakery items for your customers to purchase and make their celebration unique!
Or, if you have the space, consider offering a venue for these furry family member celebrations! We have lots of ideas for how to do this in this blog post titled, “How To Boost Your Bottom Line With Pet Parties And Events.” Plus check out episode 70 of the Boss Your Business Podcast titled, “Let’s Pawty! Celebrating & Monetizing Pet Birthdays in Your Business.”

6. Showcase those unique skills and expertise as a pet retailer!

It’s okay to say it–

You are a wealth of knowledge! And your customers need to know it, too.

Leveraging your “hidden talents” or personal expertise and skills can unlock new avenues for revenue and a deeper connection with your customers.

So what are you an expert on? Pet nutrition and wellness? Enrichment? Basic manner training? Pet photography?

Do NOT be afraid to put your skills and knowledge out there and create a new structured, revenue-generating aspect of your pet retail business!

Example: You’re an expert in pet nutrition. Offer a consultation as an upsell service to someone looking to enhance their pet’s diet.

Another example: Someone comes in to shop for birthday items for their dog. Offer a pet birthday photo shoot as an upsell so they can cherish the memory forever!

Many pet retailers hesitate to promote these hidden (but incredibly useful!) skills, fearing it might seem self-serving. But showcasing your expertise is not just self-promotion; it’s about offering value and personalized experiences to your customers!

So go ahead– embrace your talents and integrate them into your business model. You’re not only enhancing your offerings– you’re establishing yourself as a quality pet expert your customers will feel confident to turn to!

2024 is YOUR year, Pet Boss! By embracing technology, accommodating changing demographics of pet parents, and enhancing convenience and offerings, you’re gearing up for a big year of transformation. The future is bright, and it’s yours to seize and shape! With a little help from Pet Boss Nation along the way, of course!

Speaking of→ The Pet Boss Club is OPEN through January 31st, 2024! Click here to join and gain the ongoing support you’ve been craving as you grow your pet business!

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