Automated Retail in the Pet Industry: Meeting Demand with Smarter In-Store Tech
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T-ROC Staff
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Jul 3, 2025 -
4 mins read
The U.S. pet industry is booming. In 2024, it reached $147 billion and is projected to grow to $192 billion by 2029, according to industry data. With premium pet food, digital-first shopping, and wellness services leading the charge, this market presents major opportunities—and new challenges—for retailers.
But staying competitive in this fast-evolving space isn’t just about stocking shelves with the right products. It’s about executing flawlessly at scale and giving customers the experience they expect—quick, convenient, and consistent.
That’s where automated retail enters the conversation.
What Is Automated Retail?
Automated retail refers to technology-driven solutions that allow customers to purchase products or access services without traditional in-store interaction. Examples include:
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Smart vending machines
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Interactive product kiosks
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Subscription-based pickup lockers
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Self-checkout and mobile-integrated POS systems
In the pet space, these innovations are making it easier for retailers to meet growing consumer expectations—without overloading store teams.
Why Pet Retailers Are Turning to Automation
With more than 70% of U.S. households owning pets, the demand for pet products and services is not only stable—it’s expanding into premium and wellness categories that require better in-store execution.
Top Growth Drivers in Pet Retail:
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Premiumization: 62% of pet owners buy luxury or specialty food
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Health-conscious spending: 48% spend more on pet health than their own
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Digital adoption: 73% of Chewy’s sales are subscription-based
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E-commerce shift: 54% of Gen Z pet owners prefer online purchases
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Emerging services: DNA testing, tele-vet platforms, and pet insurance are driving new high-margin revenue streams
The challenge? Brick-and-mortar retailers are struggling to keep up with this pace—and it’s costing them market share to digitally native, omnichannel brands.
How Automated Retail Solves for Modern Pet Shoppers
Pet parents are looking for more than just a product—they want convenience, consistency, and personalized experiences. Automated retail solutions help physical stores compete in a digital-first world.
Here’s how:
1. Enhancing Convenience and Speed
Vending machines or automated lockers allow customers to grab top-selling pet items—like treats, supplements, or waste bags—on-the-go or during high-traffic hours. No waiting, no assistance required.
2. Enabling Personalization
Interactive kiosks can guide pet parents to recommended products based on breed, age, dietary needs, or subscription history. This mirrors the convenience of online shopping—inside the store.
3. Reducing Operational Strain
Automated systems free up store associates to focus on high-touch, revenue-generating services like grooming, wellness consultations, and customer relationship building.
4. Improving Execution Consistency
Automation ensures that signage, pricing, and product availability are consistent—solving common issues with poor retail execution, especially in fast-turnover categories like pet wellness and tech.
Challenges Holding Back Automation in Pet Retail
Despite the clear advantages, some retailers are still hesitant to adopt automated solutions. The most common barriers include:
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Upfront technology investment vs. perceived ROI
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Difficulty automating a wide variety of SKUs (e.g., toys, bulky items, or medication)
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Lack of integration with existing POS, loyalty, or inventory systems
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Low shopper awareness or education around automated options
However, as consumer behavior continues to shift—and staffing pressures persist—these challenges are rapidly being outweighed by the long-term value of automation.
Automated Retail in Action: Real-World Use Cases
At T-ROC, we’ve helped top retailers in various verticals deploy automated retail experiences that elevate service while protecting margins. In the pet category, we’re seeing exciting applications like:
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Smart vending machines near grooming areas or curbside pickup zones
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In-store kiosks offering auto-replenishment subscriptions
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Self-service pickup lockers for high-value or high-volume pet supplies
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Digital signage promoting personalized wellness plans or product bundles
Each of these deployments helps retailers scale efficiently, create memorable customer experiences, and gain real-time insights into shopper behavior and product demand.
What’s Next for Pet Retailers?
The shift toward digital-first and wellness-driven consumer behavior in the pet space isn’t temporary—it’s the new normal. For retailers to stay competitive, automation must be part of the strategy.
Key Takeaways:
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Pet parents expect fast, personalized service across every channel.
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Labor shortages and inventory complexity demand smarter execution.
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Automated retail creates new touchpoints, revenue streams, and efficiencies.
With the right technology and execution partner, automation becomes more than a convenience—it becomes a competitive advantage.
Ready to Bring Automated Retail to Your Pet Store?
At T-ROC, we help leading retailers design, deploy, and manage automated retail systems that deliver results. From strategy to in-store support, our solutions are built to scale and backed by real-time data.
Let’s explore how automated retail can help your brand thrive in the fast-growing pet market.
👉 Learn more about our automated retail services
