4 ways AI is changing pet retail (and how you can adapt)
Artificial Intelligence is Shifting Business as Usual.
AI innovation is moving fast; blink, and you’ll miss a new platform, POS system or digital marketing tool. But it’s not just how you run your business that’s evolving. It’s how pet parents are shopping for food, supplements and toys, too.
How do you keep up when pet retail doesn’t look like it did last year? (Or last month. Or, honestly, last week.) Here are four areas where the industry is shifting — and practical ideas for turning these changes into growth opportunities.
1. AI is Now a Primary Gateway for Pet Product Discovery
First, it was SEO. Then it was Instagram and TikTok. Now, shoppers are searching for purchases with AI. In fact, traffic from AI platforms to U.S. retailer websites shot up 393% YoY in January-March 2026, according to an Adobe Analytics study published in Pets+.
Why? Platforms such as Claude, ChatGPT and Copilot are powered by large language models (LLMs) trained on massive amounts of text, and they can synthesize that information and present it in conversational-style answers. Instead of a list of links you have to click through, picture a personal assistant delivering a curated response.
How can you get in on the AI search action? It’s crucial to make your business website AI-friendly, so those busy little LLM bots can find you. The payoff can be significant: shoppers using AI have a 12% higher engagement rate on retail sites and spend 48% more time there, compared to visitors who aren’t searching with AI, the Adobe study found.
Start here: Gain expert AI digital strategies in the SUPERZOO 2026 education program, including the session Fix My Website: A Hands-On SEO Workshop to Drive More Traffic and Sales, which explores optimizing your website for LLM readability.
2. Physical Stores Must Define Their Purpose
So it may sound like AI search is the metallic cat toy of the Internet, something shiny distracting shoppers from brick-and-mortar stores. But that impact is compounded by other factors, according to a McKinsey & Co. and ICSC report in Pets+.
Consumers prize transparency and convenience. They want clear pricing, friction-free transactions and dependable inventory — and conditioned by years of one-click purchases and free overnight shipping, they want it five minutes ago. Plus, Gen Zers and younger Millennials have greater spending power, and their digital fluency often leads them to prefer online shopping.
You don’t have to use the same playbook to beat giant digital retailers at their own game. Instead, focus on what you can provide that they can’t: a unique in-person experience.
Start here: Create a focused mission statement for your business if you don’t already have one. What can you deliver that makes your store stand out? Maybe you carry live animals, or specialize in sustainable pet care products and services. You can also use data analytics to track your customers’ preferences and tailor experiences that meet their needs. And speaking of analytics …
3. Make AI Work for You
Got an operational problem that needs solving? There’s probably an AI app for that. As the technology’s capabilities have proliferated, so have AI-powered systems built for retailers. The options include analytics and forecasting platforms, inventory trackers, customer service chatbots, automated email and subscription services, and digital marketing tools. And those retailers who are early adopters are seeing results. According to market research firm Worldmetrics, 75% of pet retailers who use AI-based inventory management reduce overstock by 20% and stockouts by 15%.
Start here: If you’re new to AI systems, focus on one area such as analytics or customer support so you’re not overwhelmed. You may also choose a platform that has multiple functions, such as POS tools that provide data-backed insights into sales performance, merchandising, customer patterns and more. Check out our AI blog for ideas to explore.
4. Authenticity and Emotional Connection Are Your Superpowers
The pet industry is built on impactful, tangible bonds between people and animals. Until AI can curl up in your lap like your cat (which is not a thing … yet), that warmth and genuine connection are a necessary counterbalance to any AI-powered marketing efforts.
According to Pet Age, AI can analyze internet, social and customer
data to spot messaging trends, give you the writing and design tools to
create your marketing materials, then disseminate them through automated email or paid social media campaigns. It’s basically never been easier to be your store’s own CMO.
But even the most highly polished output won’t resonate (or boost revenue) if there’s no heart behind it. Pet parents may demand convenience, but they crave authenticity. Whether it’s in store, online or on social media, they want to see your expertise and your passion for pets shine through. And that’s something AI can never replicate.
Start here: Always review any AI content before it goes out to customers to ensure it meets ethical use standards and your store’s values. Plus, double-check for accuracy; AI is many things, but infallible isn’t one of them. This builds your credibility, authority and trustworthiness.
AI is changing pet retail (and, well, everything else),
but it’s easier to stay ahead of it all with a partner you can count on. World Pet Association is your go-to source for the latest pet retail news and insights that help your business, and the larger pet community, thrive.