Introduction to Pet Store Shelving

The pet retail sector in Italy is experiencing extraordinary growth. The Italian pet food market reached €3.1 billion in 2024, registering a 3.7% increase over the previous year. This expansion, supported by over 4,800 specialized stores nationwide, highlights the crucial importance of careful display space design.

Pet store shelving is the fundamental element for transforming a simple sales point into an engaging and functional environment. The right shelving choice directly influences the customer experience, facilitating navigation among different product categories and enhancing every single item. A well-designed store shelving system must support considerable weights, from 20 kg bags of kibble to fully equipped aquariums, while ensuring maximum flexibility in space organization.

CAEM Group, with over 60 years of experience in pet store furnishings, has developed specific solutions for this ever-evolving market. Their modular systems, including the TN9, M25, and S50 lines, offer the versatility needed to adapt to the specific requirements of any store, from small neighborhood shops to large specialized chains. The ability to choose from over 30 custom color options allows for the creation of a unique environment that reflects the brand identity and creates an emotional connection with customers.

Types of Pet Store Shelving

The variety of products in a pet store requires equally diverse display solutions. Pet sector shelving must be designed to accommodate items of extremely variable sizes and weights, from small rubber balls to large dog carriers.

Double-sided central gondolas are the most versatile solution for maximizing display space. CAEM’s M25 system, with its central back panel design, optimizes floor space by creating large display areas accessible from both sides. This configuration is particularly effective for displaying dry food, toys, and medium-sized accessories, allowing customers to easily compare different products and brands.

Wall shelving completes the pet store furnishings by utilizing every available vertical centimeter. The TN9 system, with its wide range of compatible accessories, allows for personalized compositions that fit perfectly with the store’s architectural features. These shelves are ideal for displaying leashes, collars, grooming products, and all items that benefit from an orderly and easily accessible presentation.

For more demanding needs, the S50 system offers a reinforced structure capable of supporting heavy loads while maintaining stability even under intensive use. This line is indispensable for displaying canned wet food, litter, and all products that require a solid, reliable base.

Modularity is the true strength of these systems. The ability to quickly reconfigure shelving layouts allows adaptation to seasonal changes, special promotions, and the introduction of new product lines without the need for costly and complex structural interventions.

Merchandising Strategies to Increase Sales

Pet store furnishings go beyond simply supporting merchandise. An effective merchandising strategy can significantly increase sales by leveraging consumer psychology principles applied to the pet sector.

The right-turn rule is particularly important: 70–90% of customers instinctively turn right upon entering the store. Placing essential categories like dog and cat food in this prime area ensures maximum visibility for high-margin products. CAEM supports retailers with optimized planogram strategies, mapping the ideal position for each product category.

Strategic cross-merchandising is a valuable growth lever. Grouping related products by function or animal lifestyle, rather than by category or brand, stimulates impulse purchases and increases average ticket value. Placing bowls and automatic feeders near dry food, or grooming products next to specialized shampoos, facilitates the sale of complementary items.

Multi-level displays optimize visual impact and accessibility. Bestsellers and new products should be placed at eye level, while heavy items naturally belong on lower shelves for safety and practicality. Using vertical displays at varying heights captures attention and encourages exploration of the assortment.

Endcaps and secondary displays are high-potential zones for promotional or high-margin items. CAEM’s flexible systems make it easy to create these focal areas, utilizing specific accessories and custom configurations to highlight promotional products.

Practical and Legal Considerations for Shelving

Designing display shelving in the pet sector must comply with strict regulations to ensure the safety of customers, staff, and animals. In Italy and the European Union, commercial shelving must conform to the General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC), which imposes specific requirements for safe structures free of sharp edges and structural instability.

CAEM systems exceed standards required by OSHA 1910.176(b), IBC Section 1613, and EN 15512, guaranteeing performance that surpasses minimum industry requirements. Each system includes clearly visible load capacity indicators and reinforcement configurations that reduce the risk of swaying or collapse. Boltless assembly eliminates protruding elements that could cause injury, while protective caps prevent contact with sharp edges.

Hygienic compliance is especially important for products intended for animal consumption. Shelving must be designed to prevent contamination, dust accumulation, and pest access. Materials used must allow for effective and frequent cleaning, an essential requirement to maintain the quality standards required by EU Regulation 2019/6 for veterinary medicinal products.

Accessibility is another key regulatory aspect. Italian and European laws require commercial spaces to guarantee access for people with disabilities. This directly affects shelf height, aisle width, and product reachability, elements that CAEM systematically integrates into its pet store furnishing projects.

The technical documentation provided with each system includes compliance certifications, installation manuals, and technical sheets that support the legal and insurance requirements of the sector.

Innovations and Current Trends in Pet Store Shelving

The pet store shelving sector is undergoing accelerated digital transformation. The global market for digital pet care products will grow from $96.52 billion in 2024 to $105.67 billion in 2025, with a CAGR of 9.5%. This growth is pushing retailers toward smart shelving solutions that integrate IoT technologies for real-time inventory monitoring.

Innovative modular food shelving represents a direct response to the growing demand for fresh, frozen, and freeze-dried products. The expansion of the raw food segment requires modular systems with temperature control and easy cleaning, features that CAEM has integrated into its most advanced solutions. The ability to quickly reconfigure displays allows adaptation to the evolving product mix without complex structural interventions.

The integration of digital elements is revolutionizing the shopping experience. Hybrid systems that combine physical displays and digital touchpoints, such as QR codes, electronic tags, and small interactive screens, provide nutritional information, usage guides, and bundle promotions directly in-store. This convergence of physical and digital meets the growing demand for detailed information from consumers increasingly attentive to their pets’ well-being.

Environmental sustainability drives many current innovations. CAEM responds to this trend with refurbishment services for existing structures and responsible production practices in its European facilities. The ability to extend shelving lifespan through targeted upgrades represents a cost-effective and environmentally responsible approach.

The focus on premium and natural materials reflects the evolution of the pet accessory market, expected to grow from $23.4 billion in 2024 to $49.6 billion by 2034. Natural wood finishes and eco-friendly materials are gaining popularity, especially in urban markets where integration with modern home furnishings adds significant value.

The complete turnkey service offered by CAEM, from 3D design to installation and after-sales support, meets the needs of retailers seeking reliable partners for business growth. The ability to quickly reconfigure spaces according to market trends ensures a lasting investment adaptable to future challenges in the pet retail sector.

With an installed base supporting thousands of specialized stores worldwide, CAEM continues to innovate to provide solutions that combine functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability, helping retailers create environments that enhance the shopping experience and strengthen the emotional bond between owners and pets.