Indies Use This Superpower to Face Challenges in The Pet Industry

IF YOU’VE BEEN in the pet industry for more than a minute, you’ve seen how quickly things can shift. One moment you’re fully stocked with your best-selling food, and the next it’s being recalled or not available. Tariffs hit. A global health crisis brings everything to a halt — yet sales surge and stretch you thin. Beloved brands you’ve supported for years suddenly show up on big-box shelves or launch direct-to-consumer subscriptions that undercut your pricing. Ugh!!! I know it’s frustrating.

But when I hear these frustrations, I often wonder if the weight of the problem is clouding the opportunity to respond strategically. Sometimes, it’s our emotional reaction to disruption that slows us down more than the disruption itself. Shifting the focus from frustration to forward motion can unlock smarter, faster decisions. And that’s where independent small businesses shine.

Disruption Isn’t the Exception — It’s the Rule

Here’s the good news: Indie retailers are uniquely positioned to pivot faster and smarter than their competition. It’s one of your greatest strengths. While large corporations get bogged down in red tape, you can be nimble, creative and bold in the face of change.

It can feel personal when a brand you’ve championed starts pushing direct sales, but it’s not a betrayal, it’s a business decision. They’re evolving to stay competitive, and we must do the same. Let go of emotional attachments to specific products and focus on what moves your business forward. Stay agile, stay open and be willing to adapt, just like they are.

You don’t need approval from five departments to try something new. You can test a product line, launch a service or redesign your customer experience overnight. That’s not chaos — that’s power.

Here are just a few disruptions we’ve already weathered together:

• Tariffs: Rising import costs impact everything from packaging to toys, yet many of you are sourcing domestic alternatives and/or educating customers on the value of buying local — even at higher prices.
• COVID-19: You pivoted faster than the big players — adding curbside pickup, delivery, virtual consults, even DIY grooming kits.
• Brand shifts: When brands go mass market, you don’t fold. You level up your customer service, diversify your shelves and help your community trust you — not just the name on the bag.

Each of these proves one thing: You know how to adapt. Not to just survive, but to thrive. You’ve done all of the above.

The business owners who succeed aren’t the ones who avoid change. They’re the ones who plan for it. They build flexibility into their strategies, stay close to their customers and reinvent as needed.

So what should you do when disruption hits? Start here:

• • Audit your supply chain. Know where your products come from and what’s at risk. Source alternatives or shift vendors as needed.
  • Lean into partnerships. Work with your distributors and manufacturers, not against them.
  • Stock smart, not scared. Focus on top sellers and long shelf lives.
  • Watch your customers. Tune into how they respond and adjust accordingly.
  • Communicate clearly. Be honest with your team and your customers because transparency builds trust.
  • Focus on value. Reinforce the care, quality and community they get by shopping with you.

Stay curious. Stay connected. Keep a pulse on trends. Most of all: Trust your instincts. Because when the industry shifts again (and it will), the ones who thrive will be those who see change not as a threat, but as their next big move.