Whether your business sells through Chewy, Amazon, Shopify, or a combination of online marketplaces and direct-to-consumer channels, implementing a robust multichannel fulfillment strategy is essential. By streamlining inventory management, optimizing shipping processes, and maintaining a consistent customer experience, pet brands can scale their operations sustainably while continuing to delight pet owners and their four-legged family members.
Today, the pet industry is experiencing unprecedented growth and there are no signs of it slowing down. Pet parents are investing more than ever in their companions’ well-being, purchasing everything from nutrient-rich food and premium treats to high-quality grooming products, interactive toys, and health supplements. This surge in demand presents pet brands with an incredible opportunity for growth but also a unique operational challenge: how to efficiently fulfill orders across multiple sales channels without compromising on service.
Jump right in: Shipping Heavy Pet Products: Costs & How to Save
Why Multichannel Selling Matters in the Pet Industry
Pet parents shop wherever is most convenient for them. Some prefer the pet subscription ease of Chewy, others trust Amazon’s fast delivery, while many enjoy supporting smaller brands directly on Shopify, niche platforms, or brick and mortar stores.
By diversifying your sales channels, you:
- Expand your reach – Tap into new audiences on different marketplaces.
- Reduce dependency – Relying on just one channel (like Amazon) leaves you vulnerable to policy changes, fee hikes, or account suspensions.
- Boost customer loyalty – Offering multiple ways to buy makes shopping seamless for your customers.
- Increase revenue potential – More channels = more opportunities to sell.
But with more opportunities comes complexity, especially around inventory, shipping, and returns.
The Fulfillment Challenge
Unlike single-channel sellers who manage their operations on a single platform, multichannel brands face the complex challenge of maintaining accurate inventory levels and ensuring seamless order fulfillment across multiple sales channels. Each platform often has its own unique requirements, processes, and customer expectations, making it essential for multichannel sellers to keep product availability synchronized in real time and orders flowing efficiently to prevent overselling, delays, or customer dissatisfaction.
Here is what that looks like in the pet industry:
- Chewy – Highly customer-centric, often requiring specialized packaging and strict fulfillment standards, which include delivery window timelines.
- Amazon – Offers Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), but fees can eat into margins for bulky or heavy pet products like litter, crates, or food bags.
- Shopify – Puts you in control of branding and customer experience, but you will need your own fulfillment solution.
- Other Marketplaces – Walmart, eBay, and specialty pet platforms each come with unique shipping and listing rules.
Without a streamlined system, you risk overselling, stockouts, delayed shipments, and poor customer reviews.
Shipping Pet Products Shouldn't Be Complicated.
If fulfillment is starting to take over your time, we should talk.
Request a free quote from eFulfillment Service.
Multichannel Fulfillment Solutions for Pet Brands
A pet supply fulfillment service, like eFulfillment Service, can manage storage, picking & packing, and shipping for all your channels.
Look for one that:
- Integrates with multiple selling channels.
- Offers specialized handling for pet products (like food-grade storage or temperature control).
- Provides subscription-box fulfillment for recurring orders.
Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF)
Even if you are not selling exclusively on Amazon, you can use FBA inventory to fulfill orders on Shopify, eBay, or your own site. However, limited branding, amount of labeling requirements, and costs can be high.
Shopify Fulfillment Network (or partners)
Shopify’s ecosystem supports multichannel fulfillment with integrations to marketplaces, though coverage and availability vary.
Hybrid Approach
There are brands that use FBA for fast-moving products on Amazon while outsourcing to a 3PL for Shopify and Chewy orders. This keeps costs balanced and customers happy.
Fulfillment doesn’t have to be a hassle.
Partnering with a 3PL like eFulfillment Service means you can focus on growing your business while we handle the details. Request a Free Quote Today!
Best Practices for Multichannel Fulfillment
Best practices for multichannel fulfillment focus on creating a seamless, efficient process that meets customer expectations across all sales channels. Businesses should centralize inventory management to maintain accurate stock levels, preventing overselling and reducing backorders. Automating the order processing ensures every order is fulfilled from a single, centralized location like eFulfillment Service, reducing time and shipping costs. Standardizing packaging and labeling across channels help maintain brand consistency and streamline operations. Finally, tracking performance metrics like order accuracy, on-time delivery, and return rates allows businesses to continuously improve their fulfillment strategy.
- Centralize Inventory Management: Use tools that synchronize inventory across all platforms in real-time. This prevents overselling and ensures accurate stock counts.
- Optimize Packaging & Branding: Even when outsourcing fulfillment, make sure your brand stands out. Custom packaging and inserts can turn one-time buyers into repeat customers.
- Plan for Heavy & Bulky Items: There are several pet products, like litter or large bags of food that are costly to ship. Compare carrier rates, consider regional warehouses, and explore subscription models to offset costs.
- Offer Flexible Delivery Options: From two-day shipping to subscription deliveries, flexibility builds loyalty.
- Streamline Returns: Easy returns are critical in pet retail. Collaborate with partners who simplify the process for both you and your customers.
Summary & Key Takeaways:
Selling pet products across marketplaces like Chewy, Amazon, Shopify, and other online platforms create an incredible opportunity for growth and visibility. However, true success in the pet industry is not about showing up everywhere, it is about delivering a seamless experience everywhere.
A well-executed multichannel fulfillment strategy is the backbone of that success. When you optimize fulfillment across channels, you ensure orders processed quickly, inventory stays accurate, and customers receive their products on time, no matter where they shop. This not only builds trust and loyalty with pet parents but also reduces operational challenges that can slow your business down.
By implementing the right strategy, you position your pet brand to scale confidently, delight customers consistently, and turn a complex, multi-platform sales approach into a powerful engine for growth.
👉 If you’re ready to grow your Pet brand without the stress of logistics, Get a Free Quote from eFulfillment Service.
Ready to talk pet fulfillment solutions? The team at eFulfillment Service is happy to help answer questions and set you up for fulfillment success. Here’s to fewer headaches and more growth ahead!
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