How Connected Tech Is Powering the Next Generation of Pet Stores

Independent retailers are discovering that smarter systems mean better service, leaner operations and stronger growth.

For independent pet store owners, the pressures are familiar: rising operating costs, stiff competition from big-box chains and e-commerce giants, a revolving door of seasonal staff and customers who expect a personalized experience every time they walk through the door. What’s changing is how the best operators are responding — and the answer, increasingly, is connected technology.

Epicor, a retail technology company with more than 50 years in the industry, built its cloud-based platform Propello specifically to help independent and growing retailers compete on the same terms as the big players. The philosophy is straightforward: when your systems talk to each other, your whole business runs smarter.

“Whether you’re focused on inventory accuracy, pricing control or loyalty, connecting systems across your business is what Epicor Retail is built to support,” says Senior Solution Engineer Max Pollard. “You’re not choosing between simplicity today or scalability tomorrow — you get both.” 

In practice, that connection eliminates the data silos that slow retailers down. Inventory updates automatically when a return is processed. Loyalty points are captured and tracked in real time at the point of sale. Pricing changes that once took hours of manual entry can be pushed across the entire store — or multiple locations — in minutes. One Propello customer saved 140 hours per quarter on ordering and pricing alone. 

For pet retailers, the customer relationship goes deeper than most industries. Shoppers aren’t just buying food and supplies — they’re caring for a family member. Propello’s loyalty and customer engagement tools reflect that, allowing staff to track individual pet profiles, purchase histories and even health-related product preferences, so every interaction feels personal. 

Mobility is another game-changer. With Propello’s mobile POS capability, associates can look up inventory, answer product questions and even ring up transactions from anywhere on the floor — no more “let me check the back room.” That kind of in-the-moment service is what keeps loyal customers coming back. 

AI is woven throughout the platform as well, from demand forecasting and delivery route optimization to a builtin knowledge agent that helps new employees get up to speed faster. “Our approach to AI is people-first,” says Annie Schneider, Sr. Director of Product Marketing at Epicor. “It’s designed to surface the right insights at the right time while keeping retailers fully in control.” 

For independent pet stores ready to compete smarter, Propello offers a connected foundation built to grow with them.