Pet Food Buying Guide: Online vs In-Store Pros and Cons

Nowadays, customers have the choice between online and in-store shopping. Buying pet food online offers convenience and potentially better prices, while in-store shopping provides an immediate access and the ability to assess products firsthand. The best choice depends on individual needs and preferences; whatever option suits them the most depending upon their lifestyle.

Online Pet Food Shopping

Pros:

Convenience:

One can easily shop for the pet food from home, anytime 24/7 and the delivery is made at the doorstep.

Wider Selection:

Online stores often carry a larger variety of pet food brands and specialized foods than physical stores, making it a more attractive shopping option.

Price Comparison:

One can easily compare the prices of different pet food brands and find deals and discount options as well.

Subscription Services:

Many online retailers offer subscription options to their customers in case of regular deliveries, ensuring you never run out of the pet food.

Detailed Information:

Online product pages often provide extensive information about ingredients, nutritional content and customer reviews on the pet food you are considering to purchase.

No Physical Store Limitations:

Online retailers are not limited by shelf space, so they can offer a wider variety of pet food at a lower cost. Retail shops have a cost attached, which the retailers need to pass on to the customer, in order to retain their profitability margins. Since that cost is eliminated in case of online shopping, therefore the products are offered at comparatively lower prices.

Cons:

Shipping Costs:

Shipping fees can add to the cost of the pet food, especially in case of larger bags or heavier items, the shipping cost is calculated at “per kilogram basis”.

Delivery Time:

After placing the order, it can take several days for the pet food to arrive, which can be problematic if you run out of it unexpectedly.

Quality Control:

Some pet owners may be concerned about the freshness and storage conditions of the pet food that is ordered and shipped online, as they care about the health of their pets. In some instances, the expired pet food was delivered to the customers and they had to fight for claiming the refund.

Lack of Immediate Access:

One cannot immediately assess the food’s texture or smell at the time of purchase and has to relay on previous customer reviews and hope that the purchase is as per their expectation.

Potential for Errors:

Incorrect delivery information can lead to delays or problems with the package of the pet food, which has been ordered online. Product information and time of delivery could be miscommunicated by the seller and there are also great chances of misunderstanding those details at the end of the customer.

Impulse Purchases:

Online shopping can sometimes lead to overspending on items one may not really need. In case of some new pet food brand, the pet might not consume that food and reject it due to taste, smell or texture and the product will get wasted.

In-Store Pet Food Shopping 

Pros:

Immediate Access:

In case of in-store pet food shopping, one can purchase the food immediately and there is no need to wait for the delivery to be made at a later time.

Direct Assessment:

You can examine the food’s texture, smell and packaging of the pet food before buying from a retail outlet.

Expert Advice:

Local pet store staff may offer personalized advice and recommendations on the pet food when the customer goes to the shop to make the purchase.

Community Connection:

Shopping at local stores supports your community and local businesses therefore many people prefer to use this option for pet food shopping.

Bulk Buying Options:

Many stores offer discounts for buying the pet food in bulk quantities, therefore customers want to do in-store shopping.

Specialty Items:

One may find unique or hard-to-find pet food brands at the local pet stores, which may not be available in online shopping options.

Cons:

Limited Selection:

Physical stores may not carry the same variety of brands and specialized pet foods, as the online retail options.

Less Competitive Prices:

Online retailers often offer lower prices due to lower overhead costs, which adversely impacts the business of physical retail outlets.

Time and Travel:

For the in-store purchase of pet food, one needs to travel to the outlet, which can be time-consuming and costly.

Limited Hours:

Physical stores have specific opening and closing times, therefore one can only buy the pet food during that time slot. In case of emergency, this option would not be workable.

Potential for Impulse Buys:

You might be tempted to buy other items, while buying the pet food from a retail outlet and end up much more money that the initial allocated amount.

Dependence on Staff Knowledge:

Sometimes, the store staff may not have the same level of expertise on pet food as the online shopping option.

In a nutshell, online shopping and in-store purchase options are both all right; they both have certain pros and cons. We cannot identify that one channel is better than the other. One needs to make the choice depending upon personal needs and preferences. Sometimes the decision is made due to the lifestyle and past experience of the owner. Always remember, that buying the pet food is a serious responsibility, therefore explore various options and always make the best possible decision.