1、 2026 promises to be the year that AI becomes an integral part of many facets of the everyday life of a pet owner.And,partly driven by enhanced AI capabilities,personalization and tailored purchasing models also look set to become even more finely tuned in the drive to win and retain customers.In re
2、sponse to the consumers desire for convenience,both in-house delivery options and q-commerce will consolidate their footholds as owners seek the comfort of knowing their pets needs can be easily and swiftly taken care of.In-store experiences and apps will become more comprehensive,with major retaile
3、rs also opening small stores in busy urban locations.In a business world affected by macroeconomic trends and political uncertainty,securing loyalty to brands and to retailers through private labels becomes key.Providing flexible options,promising a commitment to sustainability and building communit
4、y are all strategies that can be observed in the pet sector.While inflation shows definite signs of levelling off,tariffs continue to present challenges,with ongoing overhauls of supply chains and sourcing.Additional factors coming into play this year include EU packaging legislation and a reorganiz
5、ation of taxation.This is our breakdown of the main trends that pet businesses should pay attention to this year.Trend 1:AI integration Trend 2:Business models that fit every consumer Trend 3:Retail,convenient and comfort-oriented Trend 4:Building loyalty Trend 5:The effects of macroeconomics and ge
6、opolitics Trend 6:Inflation,tariffs and supply chain impacts Trend 7:Gut health and functional nutrition Trend 1:AI integration Pet players are eager to integrate AI into more parts of their operations,going beyond customer service bots to optimize operational tasks,provide personalized recommendati