Who's buying wholesale pets on Faire
Pet specialty stores are by far the largest buyer in this category, accounting for the overwhelming majority of orders on Faire. Gift shops and general mercantile retailers round out the top three, each bringing a meaningfully different assortment focus to the category.
Pet stores are the core buyer here, and their orders reflect a full-spectrum approach to pet retail. Dog treats, plush toys, collars, harnesses, and leashes form the backbone of most orders, with apparel (sweaters, coats, bandanas) and supplements adding depth. Pet stores typically order around 6 units of dog treats per brand per order, while collars and harnesses typically move in quantities of 1 to 2 units per line item. First-order minimums across most brands in this category run around $100 to $300, so retailers can test several new brands without a large upfront commitment.
Gift shops are the second-largest buyer and skew heavily toward giftable pet products. Dog treats, plush toys, squeaky toys, and cat toys are the strongest performers in this channel. Gift shops typically order around 6 units of treats and around 3 to 4 units of plush toys per brand per order. Stores in this channel should look for products with strong packaging and gift appeal rather than purely functional items.
General and mercantile retailers mirror gift shops in product mix but tend to carry a slightly broader range. Dog treats and plush toys are the top movers here as well, with collars rounding out the assortment. Typical order quantities for treats run around 6 units, consistent with gift shop behavior. Mercantile buyers benefit from stocking a few functional staples alongside giftable items to serve customers who may not have a dedicated pet store nearby.
Clothing boutiques are a smaller but notable buyer, leaning toward dog apparel (sweaters, bandanas) and treats. These stores typically order in smaller quantities and are best served by brands with low MOQs and flexible first-order minimums.
Children's clothing stores, cafes, and spas each account for a small share of orders, generally gravitating toward novelty pet accessories and treats that complement their existing gift assortments.
Pro Tip: Gift shops and mercantile retailers order dog treats at nearly the same quantity as pet specialty stores, making treats one of the most accessible entry points for non-pet retailers looking to add an impulse-buy category without deep category expertise.
