Nowadays, it's super easy to hop on the internet and find exactly what you need for your pet.
From toys to food to cute little outfits - you name it, it's available online.
Plus, many pet lovers think buying goodies for their pets is as fun as shopping for themselves.
But what does that all mean?
You guessed it; the pet niche is a popular choice for people looking to start an online store.
In this article, we've got some cool (and original) insights for you about online pet stores.
To find these statistics, we crawled 80k+ online pet stores on October 26, 2023 – and analyzed the data on their installed apps, country, website rankings, and much more!
Without further ado, let's get started!
6 Key Online Pet Store Statistics in 2024 (Editor's Picks)
Here are the six most significant and exciting online pet store statistics!
Disclaimer: Due to minor imperfections of the crawling system, please know that we can't guarantee 100% accuracy of the data and, thus, the statistics we found. Nevertheless, we are confident that these statistics closely represent reality due to the large amount of data captured.
1. 1.2% of all online stores operate in the pet niche
Let's start by looking at the bigger picture.
The ecommerce industry consists of millions of online stores selling everything you can imagine.
And among these, 1.2% are dedicated to the pet niche.
While 1.2% might seem like a small slice of the pie, it actually translates to (hundreds of) thousands of stores worldwide!
And before you think, 'Woah, that sounds like a lot of competition,' remember this:
The 'pet niche' is still a very broad term that comes with many sub-niches.
Of course, you have your standard pet food and toy stores, but what do you think of stores selling handmade pet clothing or eco-friendly pet products?
There are even online pet boutiques offering luxury items like designer pet beds, gourmet pet treats, and even pet jewelry!
Likewise, you have stores that focus on specific pets, like those dedicated to reptiles, birds, or even hedgehogs.
2. Around 1% of online pet Shopify stores have upgraded to Shopify Plus
When it comes to starting an online store, Shopify is one of the go-to platforms.
It's user-friendly, and it can handle the needs of various business sizes, from small startups to large enterprises.
The standard Shopify pricing plans offer more than enough for 99% of online stores.
However, when you are ready to bring your online pet store to the next level, there's Shopify Plus.
Shopify Plus is like the VIP version of Shopify, offering more features, better support, and greater customization to help businesses scale and grow.
Given its benefits, it’s interesting to note that around 1% of online pet stores on Shopify have upgraded to Shopify Plus.
Why is this a significant statistic?
Well, upgrading to Shopify Plus is a big step that shows a store’s success!
According to Shopify, brands typically upgrade to Shopify Plus when their online sales reach about $80,000 per month.
This 1% represents around 800 online pet stores. And it's safe to say that most of them are above this monthly revenue!
All in all, it shows that there are successful pet businesses out there that are investing in their growth and in delivering the best possible products and services to pet owners!
Tip: Have you already created your Shopify account? If not, sign up by clicking this link here to get a free 3-day trial + pay $1/month for the first 3 months!
3. Around 21.5% of online pet stores are dropshipping
If you're unfamiliar with the term, dropshipping is when your store sells products but doesn't keep them in stock.
Instead, when someone buys from you, you purchase the product from a third-party supplier, and they send it directly to the customer.
Pretty cool, right?
And out of all online pet stores, around 21.5% use the dropshipping model.
That's a pretty significant number!
So, if you're running a pet store online or thinking of starting one, this is good to know.
Here are some more benefits of using dropshipping for your online pet store:
- Lots of choices. You can offer tons of pet products without worrying about where to put them all. This is great for pet owners (a.k.a. your customers), as it means they can potentially find everything they need (and more) in one place.
- Easy to change products. If people suddenly love a new pet toy, you can start selling it super fast. And if that toy becomes old, you can easily stop selling it without being left with unsold inventory.
- Less risk. You're not buying a bunch of products and then hoping they sell. You only buy what your customers have already bought from you.
- More time. Since you're not dealing with storing products or sending them out, you have more time to make your store awesome in other ways!
While dropshipping has a few drawbacks, it can also be seen as a win-win situation. Your customers get access to an extensive range of products, and your online store can operate more efficiently and cost-effectively.
Learn more: 10 Pet Niche Dropshipping Store & Product Examples in 2024!
4. The most frequently installed apps on top online pet stores are Klaviyo (25.3%), Recharge Subscriptions (10.9%), and Yotpo Loyalty & Rewards (7.1%)
Okay, let's talk about some of the tools that can really give your online pet store a boost.
When we look at the top 1,000 online pet stores, these are the top five most frequently installed apps: Klaviyo (25.3%), Recharge Subscriptions (10.9%), Yotpo Loyalty & Rewards (7.1%), Geolocation (7.0%), and Instafeed (6.7%):
You can see that Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS really stands out here. About 25.3% of the top 1,000 online pet stores use it!
Here is an overview of these apps and what they can help with:
- Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS. This app is all about making your marketing smart and targeted. It lets you send emails and messages that are based on what your customers like and how they behave.
- Recharge Subscriptions. This app is perfect if you sell products that pet owners need to buy regularly, like food or treats. It lets your customers subscribe, so they get the product sent to them automatically. It's super convenient for them, and it means you have a steady stream of sales. Win-win!
- Yotpo Loyalty & Rewards. This app helps you keep your customers returning by rewarding them for things like making purchases, referring friends, and writing reviews. It's a great way to say 'thanks' to your customers and make them feel valued.
- Geolocation. This is a simple app developed by Shopify that lets you recommend the best country and language for your visitors based on their browser preferences and location.
- Instafeed. Instafeed lets you display shoppable Instagram Feeds on your store. Showing your social activity on your online store can have several benefits, like building social proof, converting visitors into customers, and maybe even turning them into new Instagram followers.
So, if you're looking for ways to scale your store, these five apps are definitely worth checking out.
They mostly help you to connect with your customers and keep them coming back!
Find more: The 16 Best Shopify Apps for Successful Dropshipping Stores
5. An online pet store spends around $49 per month on apps (on average)
Running an online pet store is like taking care of a pet; you need the right tools to keep it healthy and happy.
And just like pet care products, apps can add up in costs.
Here is a graph showing the distribution of monthly app spend on online pet stores:
On average, an online pet store spends about $49 per month on apps.
This might seem like a chunk of change, but remember that if you choose the correct apps, they are essential for keeping your store running smoothly and keeping your customers happy.
Yes, it's all about choosing the correct apps.
With so many available options, it's easy to get carried away and start racking up the bills.
So, take the time to really think about what your store needs.
Do you need a fancy email marketing app, or will a basic one do the trick?
Is a loyalty program essential, or can it wait until you have more customers?
Take a close look at your store and pick the apps that will give you the best bang for your buck. Your wallet will thank you!
6. On average, top online pet stores have the most followers on TikTok, with an average of approximately 36,194 followers
If you're not on TikTok yet, you might want to consider it.
On average, the top 1,000 online pet stores are absolutely killing it on TikTok, with around 36,194 followers.
That’s a whole lot of pet lovers!
But why TikTok?
Well, it turns out that pet content is super popular on the platform.
People just can’t get enough of cute and funny pet videos.
And, because TikTok is all about short, engaging content, it’s a great way to show off your products in a fun and creative way. Plus, with its massive user base, it's a fantastic opportunity to reach a huge audience of potential customers.
Of course, TikTok isn’t the only social channel.
YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram are also popular platforms, while Twitter and Pinterest don't perform so well for the pet niche.
19 more online pet store statistics
Did you know that it takes an online pet store an average of 5.5 years to get into the top 1,000 online pet stores?
Or that DSers is the most popular dropshipping app for the pet niche?
If not, read on for 19 more interesting statistics!
Market
Here are all the statistics on the market of online pet stores!
Tip: If you're more interested in statistics about Apps & Themes, you can find them here. Similarly, click here to find marketing statistics.
7. The pet niche market size in 2022 was $235 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.92% from 2023 to 2030
Let's take a step back again and look at the big picture of the pet industry.
According to Fortune Business Insights, the global pet niche market was valued at $235 billion in 2022.
This just goes to show how much people love their furry friends and are willing to spend on them.
But there's more good news.
The pet industry is not just big; it's also growing fast.
From 2023 to 2030, the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.92%.
An interesting bonus note is the new trend in the pet care market:
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), an astounding 59% of dogs and 61% of cats are classified as overweight or obese in 2022.
And that number is growing every year!
Because of this, an increasing number of pet owners prefer dietary food items for their pets. This is why the pet care market is one of the latest trends in North America!
All of this basically means that the pet industry is a fantastic place to be as an aspiring online pet store owner.
With a growing market, there are plenty of opportunities for you to find your unique angle and take a piece of the pie.
8. The average age of a top 1,000 online pet store is 5.5 years
Here's an interesting fact for you: the average age of the top 1,000 online pet stores is 5.5 years.
In other words, at the time of crawling our data, the average created date among the top 1,000 online pet stores was March 2018.
This means that most successful online pet stores have existed for a while. They've had time to make mistakes and learn from them, build a customer base, and really establish themselves in the market.
So, what does this mean for you, especially if you're just starting out?
First of all, don’t be discouraged if things don’t take off right away.
Building a successful online pet store takes time, just like it did for these top stores.
It's important to be patient and keep working hard to provide the best products and customer service.
Secondly, it means that there's a lot you can learn from the top-performing stores.
Take a look at what they're doing right. How do they market themselves? What kinds of products do they offer? How do they engage with their customers?
And lastly, remember that every store was once a new store.
These top 1,000 online pet stores started out just like you, and look where they are now!
So, keep pushing forward, and who knows, maybe your store will be on that list one day!
9. Out of all Shopify and WooCommerce pet stores, 54.4% use Shopify, while 45.6% use WooCommerce
If you're running an online pet store, chances are you're using either Shopify or WooCommerce.
These are two of the most popular ecommerce platforms for online pet stores, and they each have their own strengths.
Shopify seems to have a slight edge, with 54.4% of stores opting for this platform.
Why?
Well, Shopify is known for being easy to set up, easy to manage, and comes with a bunch of great features that make running an online store easier.
On the other hand, WooCommerce is also a popular choice, with 45.6% of pet stores using this platform.
WooCommerce is actually a plugin for WordPress, so it's a great option if you're already using WordPress for your website.
It's also highly customizable, so you can really make your store look and feel exactly the way you want. Plus, WooCommerce is open-source, which means it's free to use!
Ultimately, both are great platforms to help you create a successful online pet store.
Learn more: Shopify vs. WooCommerce: Which One for Dropshipping in 2024?
10. The most popular sub-niche among online pet stores is Food & Supplies (54.0%), followed by Dogs (33.4%) and Cats (7.1%)
We've said it before, and we will say it again: the pet niche is broad.
Within the pet niche, you have many sub-niches.
Some are more popular and, therefore, more competitive than others.
The most popular sub-niche is food & supplies, with 54.0% of stores focusing on this area. This makes sense, as all pet owners need to feed their furry (or scaly) friends.
But that's not to say that there aren't other popular niches as well.
Dogs are a close second, with 33.4% of online pet stores. Cats come in third, with 7.1% of stores focusing on this niche.
And let's not forget about the next two sub-niches, which are horses (4.5%) and fish & aquaria (3.7%).
So, what does this mean for you?
Well, if you're just starting out, it's recommended to focus on a specific niche. This can help you stand out from the competition.
And don't be afraid to think outside the box.
While dogs and cats are popular, there are also plenty of other pets out there that need love and care.
So, entering a more niche market like reptiles, birds, or even exotic pets can also be a smart move!
11. The average product price of top online pet stores is around $128
If you're wondering how much to charge for your products, you might be interested to know that the average product price of top online pet stores is around $128.
This figure might seem a bit high at first, but remember, this is an average, and it includes anything from more affordable toys to high-end pet furniture.
The key is to find the right balance.
You want to offer products that are priced competitively, but you also need to make sure you're making a profit.
Pricing is an important part of your overall brand image, so make sure it aligns with the message you want to send to your customers.
12. 39.8% of online pet stores are based in the US, followed by the UK (11.1%) and Australia (7.0%)
Next, let’s see where online pet stores are trying to sell their products.
It turns out that the United States is the prime location, with 39.8% of online pet stores based there. The UK follows with 11.1%, and Australia comes in third at 7.0%.
This concentration of pet stores in the US is likely due to the sheer size of the pet industry in the country, with Americans spending $136.8 billion on their pets in 2022, according to APPA.
The UK and Australia also have strong pet cultures, with high pet ownership rates and a willingness to spend.
If you’re based in one of these countries, know that you’re in good company, but also that you’ll need to find ways to stand out in a crowded market.
Learn more: How to Start a Dropshipping Business in the US (2024 Guide)
13. 94.5% of online pet stores are English
It may not come as a surprise that English is the dominant language for online pet stores, with 94.5% of stores using it as their primary language.
It reflects the significant number of stores based in English-speaking countries like the US and the UK, as mentioned earlier.
14. Around 6.5% of online pet stores use print on demand
Print on demand (POD) is a fulfillment method where items are printed and shipped only after an order is made.
Approximately 6.5% of online pet stores utilize print on demand.
It's especially popular for items like custom pet apparel and personalized accessories.
Just keep in mind that the success of a POD model largely depends on the quality of the designs, products, and the efficiency of the printing and shipping process.
So, take the time to research and choose a reliable POD supplier!
15. 46% of online pet stores sell between 0 and 10 products
Here's a fascinating snapshot of the product range in online pet stores: 46% of them offer between 0 and 10 products.
If you're running a smaller pet store, this should come as encouraging news.
It shows that a substantial portion of online pet stores are focusing on a small range of products, which could reflect a niche strategy or a commitment to quality over quantity.
Apps and themes
Let's continue with some fun statistics about apps and themes!
16. The top 5 apps across all online pet stores are Geolocation (14.1%), Shopify Inbox (9.9%), DSers (8.4%), Judge.me (8.3%), and Klaviyo (8.1%)
When we take a look at the top five apps across all online pet stores (not just the top 1,000, like earlier in the article), we see a completely different distribution.
This again shows the importance of picking apps that you need at the current stage of your business.
For example, many online pet stores may start out with dropshipping, so DSers is a frequently-installed app:
Here is an overview of these top apps:
- Geolocation (14.1%). This app adjusts currency and language settings based on the customer's location.
- Shopify Inbox (9.9%). Shopify Inbox makes it easy to chat with your customers in real-time.
- DSers (8.4%). DSers is one of the most popular dropshipping apps.
- Judge.me (8.3%). Judge.me helps you collect and display customer reviews on your website.
- Klaviyo (8.1%). Klaviyo is the go-to email marketing app for many online pet stores.
17. DSers is the most popular dropshipping app for the pet niche, used by 39.1% of pet dropshipping stores
Running a dropshipping pet store?
Then there's a significant chance that you're using DSers.
It's the dropshipping app used by 39.1% of pet dropshipping stores!
DSers makes importing products from AliExpress super easy. But it also connects you with suppliers, tracks your orders, and keeps an eye on your supplier's inventory.
Learn more: DSers Review: Is It the Best App for AliExpress? (2024)
18. On average, online pet stores have around 2 to 3 installed apps.
Remember that we talked about the importance of balancing the number of apps on your store?
You actually don't need a ton of them, and that's shown by this statistic.
On average, pet store owners install 2 to 3 apps:
19. The most popular themes for online pet stores are Dawn (11.6%), Astra (4.9%), and Flatsome (3.6%)
When it comes to creating the perfect online pet store, the theme you choose is an important step.
Having analyzed the theme choices of online pet stores, we found that most stores use Dawn, Astra, Flatsome, Refresh, or Divi.
Here is the exact distribution of the most installed themes on online pet stores:
Learn more: 10 Best Free Shopify Themes for Your Online Store in 2024
When you're ready to make your online pet store look even more fantastic, picking a premium theme is the way to go.
Divi is most popular for WooCommerce and is used by 3.4% of online pet stores:
If you're using Shopify, a popular choice is Impulse, as it's used by 1.7% of all online pet stores:
Learn more: 10 Best Shopify Dropshipping Themes in 2024 | Boost Sales!
21. PageFly is the most popular page builder, used by 2.1% of online pet stores
An alternative to using a premium theme is using a page builder, and the most popular one among pet stores is PageFly, used by 2.1% of them.
Think of PageFly as an app that makes it super easy to create awesome pages.
It's easy because you don't need to know any complicated coding or technical stuff!
With PageFly, you can drag and drop different elements to design pages that fit your store's style:
Want a big, bold header to show off a sale on dog toys? You got it!
Or maybe a neat photo gallery to display your cute cat collars? No problem!
PageFly lets you do all that and more.
Marketing
Finally, we have three more statistics about the marketing strategy of these stores!
22. On average, the top 1,000 online pet stores add 2 new products every month
Keeping your online pet store fresh is key to keeping your customers coming back.
One way the top pet stores do this is by adding new products regularly.
On average, the top 1,000 online pet stores add two new products every month.
It could be a new type of food for pets with allergies, a new style of collar that’s comfortable and fashionable, or a new toy!
23. 24.5% of active online pet stores have a blog
Have you ever thought about starting a blog for your online pet store?
Well, you're not alone!
In fact, 24.5% of active online pet stores have already started blogging:
A blog is a place where you can share helpful tips, fun stories, and all the latest pet news.
For example, you could write a post about the top 10 toys for energetic dogs or share a recipe for homemade cat treats.
It's a great way to connect with your customers and show them that you're not just a store but also a community of pet lovers.
24. Only 1.5% of online pet stores also sell on Etsy, Fair, or Amazon
Did you know that only 1.5% of online pet stores sell on platforms like Etsy, Fair, or Amazon?
It seems quite low, especially since these platforms can be a great way to reach new customers and increase your sales.
For example, Etsy is a great place to sell personalized pet items like custom collars or handmade toys:
And, of course, Amazon is one of the largest online marketplaces in the world.
When optimizing your online pet store for search engines, the words you choose for your meta description are a notable step.
When analyzing the meta descriptions of the top 1,000 online pet stores, it's interesting to confirm that 'Pet,' 'dog,' and 'cat' are indeed the most frequently occurring words:
- 'pet': 519 occurrences
- 'dog': 506 occurrences
- 'cat': 213 occurrences
- 'food': 194 occurrences
- 'products': 193 occurrences
- 'shop': 169 occurrences
- 'dogs': 168 occurrences
- 'supplies': 163 occurrences
- 'online': 155 occurrences
- 'pets': 140 occurrences
Including these keywords in your meta description tag can help your store pop up on Google.
Think of it as your store's elevator pitch!
Summary
Before we go to the conclusion, we've created a quick summary of this article for you so you can easily remember it:
- Approximately 1.2% of all online stores operate in the pet niche.
- Shopify is the preferred ecommerce platform for many online pet stores.
- Dropshipping is a common business model for online pet stores, with 21.5% of stores choosing this approach.
- Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS, Recharge Subscriptions, and Yotpo Loyalty & Rewards are particularly popular apps among top online pet stores.
- Social media, and TikTok in particular, can be a valuable tool for online pet stores to reach a larger audience.
- The pet food and supplies sub-niche is the most popular among online pet stores.
- Print on demand is a relatively uncommon business model for online pet stores, but it is used by some.
- The US, the UK, and Australia are home to the majority of online pet stores.
Conclusion
We've covered everything from understanding that it takes time to create a top online store to knowing which apps can really give your store some awesome additional features.
At the end of the day, what matters most is the love and care you put into your store.
It's about making pet owners feel at home, offering them quality products, and providing top-notch customer service.
So, take these stats and use them to your advantage, but always remember to add your personal touch.
Best of luck with your online pet store!
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