The 5 Biggest Trends and Takeaways We Saw at Global Pet Expo 2026
Global Pet Expo 2026 gave us a clear view into where pet retail is heading. After spending time walking the floor, talking with retailers, and seeing which booths stayed consistently packed, a few patterns stood out.
Here are the five biggest trends and takeaways we saw at this year’s show.
1. Wellness, Treats, and Fun Extras Are Growing
Booths were packed with natural foods and functional treats, from gut-friendly bites to creative snacks meant to pamper pets. We even spotted freeze-dried pet ice cream, showing that manufacturers are thinking of more ways to appeal to pet parents that treat their furry friends as part of the family.
We also saw luxury items like high-end dog shoes that drew attention. Retailers were interested in products that let pet parents spoil their pets and show a little extra care, while still standing out in the store.
2. A Push for Innovation Across Pet Product Categories
One category that continues to see growth in the pet industry is the push toward more natural options. You couldn’t walk far without seeing new products sourced from Mother Nature — yak milk, raw meat, antlers, cassava, bone broth, seafood, the list goes on. Retailers were asking questions and thinking about how these simpler, cleaner ingredients fit into their stores, reflecting the growing demand for transparency and trust in what customers feed their pets.
Some of the most interesting innovations came from places you wouldn’t expect. Tofu-based cat litter was one of those products that caught our attention. It's fun, unusual, and an interesting take on a plant-based product. We also saw new types of cages and enclosures, along with tech-enabled bowls and pet water fountains that make everyday pet care feel a bit more engaging.
From the show floor, you could see just how much innovation is driving the pet industry.
3. Relationships and Networking Still Drive Growth
We got to see just how important relationships and trust are in the pet industry. Retailers stopped by booths to check out the products, of course, but it was the sense of connection and familiarity that kept the conversation going.
Many of the conversations at our own booth came from referrals from other pet store owners. It really shows how close-knit the pet industry is. When companies treat their retailers well, those connections help build long-term partnerships.
4. There’s Real Frustration with Existing POS Systems
One of the most consistent themes we heard at our booth was frustration with current pet store POS systems. It came up in nearly every conversation, no matter the store size or how long they’d been in business.
For example, one retailer mentioned needing a new system after QuickBooks shut theirs down, highlighting the need for something more reliable. Some are juggling multiple tools that don’t communicate, while others feel stuck with systems that can’t keep up with their day-to-day needs. All of it adds complexity, slows operations, and makes scaling a lot harder than it should be.
5. Unified Commerce Is Top of Mind for Growing Stores
Building on that, replacing a POS is only part of the equation. The bigger focus now is connecting the entire operation in one place.
Retailers talked a lot about the challenges of keeping inventory accurate between in-store and online, managing services like grooming or appointments, and trying to piece together reporting across different tools. It’s manageable at first, but it doesn’t scale well.
The stores that seemed most dialed in are already thinking this way — less about individual tools and more about how everything connects.
Above: PetStack was featured in Pet Age as an all-in-one solution for indie pet stores.
PetStack at Global Pet Expo
At Global Pet Expo 2026, we officially debuted PetStack, and the response was amazing!
We had a ton of conversations with indie pet retailers, and most of those discussions were about the operational challenges they’re dealing with each day. The frustration comes from current systems that are disconnected, hard to use, or missing key features. Most of these retailers have been juggling multiple tools that don’t communicate, which slows teams down and limits growth.
At the booth, we were able to demonstrate how PetStack brings everything together in one unified platform. We showed retailers how POS, eCommerce, inventory, receiving and forecasting, loyalty programs (including our Astro Loyalty integration), and scheduling for groomers and trainers all work seamlessly together.
Many pet store owners told us it felt like a breath of fresh air. It was their first time seeing all of these tools working together in a single system, giving them a clear sense of how much simpler running their business could be.
Interest was high throughout the show, highlighting just how many pet stores are dealing with systems that don’t work together.
Ready to See a Better Pet Store POS?
If you’re running a pet store and struggling with disconnected tools, outdated systems, or cumbersome workflows, PetStack was built for you.
Our unified platform combines POS, eCommerce, inventory, loyalty, forecasting, and scheduling in one place — making it easier to run your store, serve your customers, and grow your business.
Book a discovery call today to see how PetStack can help your store operate smarter and more efficiently.