How a Dog & a Loyalty Punch Card Sparked a Smarter POS for Pet Stores
When it comes to a pet store POS system, understanding the unique challenges of pet retail is crucial. At FieldStack, our journey into the pet industry began with a simple observation – and a passion shared by many on our team: we're pet parents, too.
The Beginning: Seeing a Gap in Pet Retail Technology
As Brett Wickard, our founder and CEO, recalls, “Our VP of Product was shopping for things for his dog at a local pet store when he realized their point-of-sale system was really deficient. They still used a paper punch card for loyalty programs – buy 10 bags of dog food, get one free. It was outdated and didn’t work well, especially for customers shopping multiple stores.”
Our unified commerce platform was already powering several local retail chains at this point. But this was how we got started in the pet industry. It was the spark that led to our commitment to creating a modern pet shop POS system that would truly meet the needs of pet retailers and their customers.
Why Pet Stores Need Specialized POS Systems
Pet retail is unlike many other retail verticals or sectors. For one, pet food and supplies have expiration dates – unsold products can’t simply be returned or restocked. This means that inventory forecasting and waste reduction are not just operational issues but also impact the bottom line and sustainability.
FieldStack’s pet store POS software has been designed with these unique challenges in mind. As Brett explains, “We’re proud that our forecasts help reduce waste, which is huge in pet retail. Pet food that expires must be thrown out, so being able to order smarter has real environmental impact.”
Supporting the Pets Behind Every Purchase
One of the most rewarding parts of working in the pet industry is knowing that our technology supports something people deeply care about: their pets. Most pet retailers we work with got into this business because they genuinely love animals – and we share that passion.
Above: Maggie, a FieldStack team member's dog, visits the office.
We know how important it is for pet parents to find the food, supplements, and supplies they trust. By helping stores keep the right products in stock through smarter forecasting and real-time inventory visibility, our pet store POS system helps play a meaningful role in keeping their customers’ pets happy and healthy.
At the end of the day, it’s about more than transactions. We enjoy helping pet retailers run successful businesses – because when they thrive, their communities (and the pets in them) do, too.
Adapting to Change: How We Pivoted When Our Clients Needed Us
The pandemic brought unexpected challenges—and opportunities. “Pet sales actually went up during COVID,” Brett notes. “People spent more time at home and adopted more pets. Our system flagged these unusual spikes early on.”
FieldStack was already working on Buy Online, Pickup In-Store (BOPIS) technology before the pandemic. “When COVID hit, our clients needed it immediately. We quickly helped them implement curbside pickup and same-day delivery options almost overnight,” Brett recalls.
Supporting Pet Retailers in Every Moment That Matters
The pandemic tested every retailer’s ability to adapt — and it proved that flexibility and innovation are essential. FieldStack was built for moments like that. Whether it’s enabling curbside pickup, managing unexpected inventory surges, or helping stores roll out new services fast, we’re here to make sure pet retailers have what they need to succeed.
Above: Another FieldStack office dog, Walter, hangs out under the conference table observing the team at work.
That agility is built into our platform. Our retail software combines modern eCommerce tools, real-time data, and loyalty features into a single solution — so when things change, you’re ready.
Because whether it’s a global disruption or just a busy Saturday, pet retailers deserve technology that works as hard as they do.
Software Made for Enterprise-Level Pet Retailers
Power your entire operation — from POS and loyalty to warehouse and forecasting — with our unified commerce platform.
Learn more about FieldStack for pet retail.
Software Made for Indie Pet Stores
Coming soon: PetStack, a streamlined POS and retail management software solution designed just for independent pet retailers.
Get a sneak peek at PetStack.