Same-day delivery is on the rise — and not just for food. These days, customers are turning to the convenience of getting everything delivered — from flowers and gifts, to groceries, and even pet supplies. The global market for same-day delivery is expected to grow from $4.45 billion in 2020 to $32.46 billion by 2030, fueled by the digitalization of businesses and customers’ increasing comfort level with buying items online. As a pet supply shop, it’s a good time to consider offering on-demand pet store delivery and meet your customers where they’re at — online, and ready to receive deliveries at home.
As a brick-and-mortar shop, offering delivery services can be as easy as working with a delivery partner. With DoorDash as your pet supply delivery partner, you can focus more on the things that matter — and spend less time managing delivery logistics. In fact, you can add on-demand delivery to your store offerings and give your customers the VIP treatment, with very little change in your day-to-day operations. It’s a way to add an additional revenue stream to your business, while also helping your customers get the supplies they need to take care of their pets.
In this article, we’ll cover how DoorDash works for pet stores, step by step. For even more information, download the 2022 Product Guide for Pet Stores to learn about the entire DoorDash product suite for businesses like yours.
Build your online pet shop
Once you’ve signed up for DoorDash, the first step is building your online store, where customers can browse your offerings and select items to purchase.
Create your business page
As a DoorDash partner, you’ll get your own page on the DoorDash app where you can feature your pet shop brand and provide details on items for sale. To set up your page, add details like your business name, location, your logo, and hours of operation. You always have full control over your listing, including items for sale, prices, delivery hours, and more.
Showcase your pet supplies for sale
Complete your business page by adding details about the items you have for sale. As a pet supply store, it’s likely that you offer thousands of SKUs. In order to keep inventory management manageable, focus on your full assortment of same-day delivery items. Popular pet items to sell on DoorDash include fresh pet food, litter, toys, and specialty items like live feed.
Don’t forget to add clear photos of your items for sale to catch customer’s eyes as they scroll through your offerings. A good photo can go a long way in helping to drive sales — and help customers locate what they’re looking for faster.
Boost your marketing efforts
Though DoorDash will help promote your offerings by suggesting your business when customers search for items you sell, it’s important to market your store as well!
DoorDash offers built-in marketing promotions to help you reach new customers and increase sales. Campaigns like “First Delivery Free” or “$X Off” can encourage customers to make a purchase from your pet store because they feel like they’re getting something extra. Olia Rosenblatt, the founder and owner of MISHKA Luxury Dog Treats in San Francisco, is a big fan of DoorDash’s promotions. Learn more about her story and how she grew her sales 7X by partnering with DoorDash for pet supply delivery.
DoorDash marketing promotions are a no-brainer. Everyone loves a discount.
Additionally, pet shop partners can also opt in to DashPass, DoorDash’s membership program for high-value customers. With DashPass, customers see your business first and pay lower fees when they order from you — at no added cost to you. Because DashPass customers order more often, you’re likely to get more orders and more repeat customers — and your customers can enjoy increased savings.
Additionally, don’t forget to market through your own channels as well, especially if you have a website or social media handles. Since customers might find you through these pages, make sure to optimize them for search terms like “pet store delivery near me,” “pet store same day delivery,” or “local pet store delivery,” and link back to your DoorDash pet store page to facilitate quick sales.
Fulfill orders for on-demand pet store delivery
Ready to meet customers online and offer same-day delivery? Here’s how the process works for pet stores.
1. Customers place an order through the DoorDash app or website
Customers can browse your pet supply offerings on the DoorDash app and select items for purchase. Once the customer submits an order, payment is processed through the DoorDash app.
2. Accept orders and set a prep time
Next, you’ll receive an order notification through a tablet.
Pet stores with an Android tablet can use the Order Manager app, our all-in-one tool for receiving, organizing, and tracking pickup and delivery orders. You can use any Android tablet or rent a tablet from DoorDash for $6 a week, which covers device insurance and cell service.
With a tablet, a blue screen will appear letting you know how many orders need attention. Touch the screen to view the order and identify any issues.
DoorDash will prompt a suggested prep time to save time, but you can easily enter a manual prep time instead. To confirm the order, click “Confirm” at the bottom of the screen, which will share an estimated delivery time with the customer.
Businesses can also download the Business Manager app to track orders and sales from a mobile device.
3. Package items for delivery or pickup
Next, prepare the items from the order to handoff for delivery or customer pickup. You can use the Order Manager app or the Business Manager app to track a Dasher’s progress, and communicate with them along the way.
Once an order is complete, mark it complete in the app.
4. Get insights and review analytics
With the Merchant Portal and the Business Manager app, you can easily view key data points like net sales, average order size, unique customers, and most popular items to gain insights into how your pet store is performing, helping you plan ahead and develop a strategy to grow your business even more.
Growing your pet store on DoorDash
Here are some best practices to keep business running smoothly when adding DoorDash to your operations.
Best practices for partnering with Dashers
Don’t let package pickup slow down your deliveries! Set up a spot in your shop where Dashers can quickly pick up orders, and direct them where to go with clear, visible signage.
Additionally, make sure to package items securely in a bag or a box for easy transport. Since pet supplies like litter and food can be heavy, have tools on hand like a wheeled cart to help Dashers get items into their vehicles in fewer trips. If you have branded bags, stickers, or other freebies like treat samples, don’t forget to add those to your delivery packages! It’s a great way to show your customers you care.
Let customers order from your own platforms
Already have your own app, website, or online ordering system? With DoorDash Drive, you can accept orders through your existing platforms and automatically connect with Dashers for delivery. DoorDash Drive ensures your brand stays front and center while handling all delivery logistics on the backend, from confirmation texts to estimated arrival times, and more.
Test, learn, repeat
Since on-demand delivery is relatively new, customer habits are still being formed. More and more people are starting to get their pet supplies delivered same-day — and today, some are doing it for the first time.
As you explore what it’s like being a DoorDash pet shop partner, consider trying out new promotions, selling new products, and offering new packaging to see what resonates most with today’s customers. You might just unlock the door to an unexpected revenue stream.
Looking for more ideas? Download the 2022 Product Guide for Pet Stores to learn more about the entire DoorDash product suite and marketing tools for pet stores like yours.
Sign up for pet store delivery with DoorDash
As a business owner, you don’t need to overhaul your operations to add pet supply delivery to the list of services you offer. Partnering with DoorDash for your on-demand delivery needs can help you grow incremental sales while keeping your main focus on what you love best — helping pet owners find the best products to take care of their furry friends, and feel like a VIP in the process. Sign up for pet store delivery today.
