SuperZoo is one of the largest annual gatherings for pet industry professionals — a place where brands, retailers, and thought leaders come together to explore what’s next. Over the years, we’ve had the chance to attend, connect with fellow retailers, and bring home ideas that continue to shape our perspective.
If you’re wondering what are the top trends in pet retail right now? — especially for independent and regional retailers — these are the forces we see driving success across the industry. Whether you were on the show floor this year, followed the coverage from afar, or are just keeping an eye on what’s ahead, these trends keep rising to the top.
While the surge in pet adoptions during the pandemic has leveled off, pet ownership remains strong. Pet parents continue to invest in their pets’ well-being, driving growth across the industry. This creates opportunities for retailers at every level.
According to Pet Boss Nation, Gen Z pet ownership is on the rise – with 81% owning cats and 86% owning dogs (much higher than the 66% of Millennials and 50% of Boomers with dogs).
Pet food and supplies have proven resilient, even when other retail categories slow down. While in-store sales remain important, the growth of digital channels is reshaping how and where those sales happen.
Above: Even when retail spending slows down, pet owners keep spending on their pets.
As a software vendor, we love new tech. But we’re not talking about retail management software here (though advances in retail tech are certainly driving progress in the pet industry!).
We’re talking about product innovations being the buzz of the show – including smart pet care products. Pet retailers looking to compete should consider offering the latest in pet tech at their stores.
Want to see the new products introduced on the floor this year? Check out Pets+ Magazine’s coverage of the show from Day One, Two, and Three.
It’s no secret that SuperZoo is an educational and networking hub for pet retailers. And one organization takes it up a notch – IndiePet. IndiePet is an association of independent pet retailers and the manufacturers, distributors, and service providers who work with them. (We’re a member of IndiePet ourselves!)
IndiePet has worked hard to support indie pet retailers and bring them together to learn from and inspire each other. They host meetings, get-togethers, and a sponsored breakfast right at the show to encourage networking.
Miss them at SuperZoo? You can learn all about joining IndiePet here.
Today’s pet parents don’t think in “channels” — they just shop. They expect a consistent experience whether they’re in-store, on your website, or browsing on their phone. Retailers who connect their operations across these touchpoints are better equipped to keep customers coming back.
Even with online sales growing, people still want to come into a store — especially neighborhood pet shops. They enjoy bringing their pets, seeing products up close, and getting advice from staff who actually know their pets. That personal touch is something eCommerce or direct-to-consumer brands can’t match.
Above: Pet owners still enjoy walking into a pet store for a personalized experience.
Pet wellness isn’t just growing — it’s where customers are putting their money. From natural foods to vitamins and CBD, pet parents want products they can trust. Neighborhood stores that know their customers and can recommend the right options are the ones seeing the real lift.
When your products are set up properly in your system, the technology does the heavy lifting. You can see what’s selling, spot trends, and make stocking or promotion decisions quickly — without guessing or spending hours digging through spreadsheets.
SuperZoo may come once a year, but the conversations it sparks continue to shape the industry long after the show floor closes. These aren’t passing fads — they’re ongoing trends in pet retail that impact how customers shop, what they expect, and how retailers compete.
Independent and regional pet stores that adapt to these shifts — with the right technology, operations, and customer focus — can strengthen relationships, improve efficiency, and grow in any market.
Miss our new product announcement leading up to SuperZoo?
PetStack was featured in Pets+ Magazine’s July Sample box for SuperZoo 2025. See what was inside the box here.
You can also learn more about PetStack here, the latest POS & Retail Management software just for indie pet retailers – coming soon!