LIVONIA, MICH. — Pet Supplies Plus is adding autoship subscription delivery services to its network of independent pet retail franchises across 36 states. Autoship orders will be fulfilled by neighborhood Pet Supplies Plus locations, helping support local stores and offering peak convenience to pet owners.

This lucrative e-commerce tool also offers sales growth opportunities for retailers. In Chewy’s third quarter ended Nov. 1, 2020, autoship sales accounted for $1.23 billion – roughly 69.2% of its total sales over the three-month period.

Consumers using Pet Supplies Plus’s new autoship service will also receive a “substantial discount on eligible items in their first order,” according to the company, plus 5% off on future orders and other exclusive discounts. Free delivery is also available on orders more than $35, and pet owners can earn Neighbor Rewards — Pet Supplies Plus’s reward points program — when purchasing qualifying products through autoship, just as they would if they went directly to the store.

"Our goal is to make it as easy and convenient as possible for pet parents to get the quality food and supplies they need for their pets," said Chris Rowland, chief executive officer of Pet Supplies Plus. "We now have multiple options for our neighbors. In addition to coming into our stores with their pets to shop or ordering online for curbside pickup or home delivery, now they can get their pet essentials delivered right to their doors on a recurring basis. This is good news all around for neighbors, and their pets."

The e-commerce channel is claiming more and more share of total pet product sales, a trend that was registering before the pandemic and has accelerated through it. According to market research firm Packaged Facts, online pet product sales now make up 30% of total pet product sales, up from just 8% from 2015 and expected to reach 53% by 2025.

Online-only retailers, such as Amazon and Chewy, are currently dominating in this space, and independent retailers and other pet product outlets are quickly adapting to meet consumer preferences for e-commerce and to stay competitive in this fast-paced market.

Find more articles about e-commerce in the pet product industry.