Written by

Nhi Ho

A marketing professional working with consumer insights and market trends to create content that brings clarity to complex behaviors and evolving market dynamics.

Key Insights from the TGM Global Pet Care Insights 2026

The Hybrid Pet Shopper: How APAC Pet Owners Navigate Online and Offline Retail in 2026

APAC pet shopping today is defined by movement across channels, where digital discovery and in-store reassurance work together.

Pet shopping in APAC is no longer a simple choice between online convenience and in-store experience. 2026’s pet owners move fluidly between discovering products on their phones to compare options across platforms, and often seeking reassurance in physical stores before making the final purchase. This kind of “hybrid pet shopper” is reshaping how brands must think about retail presence.

Insights from TGM’s Pet Services, Grooming & Accessories 2026 report (APAC Edition) reveal how discovery, comparison, and trust now unfold across multiple touchpoints, creating a far more connected path to purchase than ever before.

Online Is Expanding, But It Is Not Replacing Stores

Digital purchasing is clearly gaining momentum with e-commerce becoming one of the most widely used retail channels in the region:

43% of APAC pet owners say they now shop online more often than they did two years ago
46% purchase pet food or supplies online.

Online plays a critical role in discovery and comparison. It is where consumers check prices, read reviews, and explore new brands. Increased digital exposure also encourages experimentation and brand switching.

Digital purchasing is clearly gaining momentum with e-commerce becoming one of the most widely used retail channels

At the same time, this growth exists alongside strong physical retail engagement.

Independent pet stores account for 40% of purchases
Supermarkets for 35%
Specialty chains for 32%

The data suggests that online expansion is adding to the ecosystem rather than replacing it.

For brands and retailers, this signals a market where digital visibility is essential, but physical presence still plays a meaningful role in reinforcing trust and final purchase decisions.

Country Differences Reveal Distinct Retail Paths

Korea: Digital-Led Convenience

Korea stands out as the most digitally driven pet market, with 60% purchasing pet products online, far ahead of supermarkets and independent stores. This signals a mature digital ecosystem where convenience, speed, and platform trust dominate the shopping journey.

Thailand: True Omnichannel Balance

Thailand reflects one of the most evenly distributed retail landscapes. Independent stores (46%), supermarkets and online channels (46%) all play near-equal roles. Rather than favoring one channel, Thai pet owners appear highly fluid, choosing based on context, price, or product type.

Philippines: Community & Everyday Retail Anchored

In the Philippines' pet market, independent stores (44%) and supermarkets remain highly relevant, with online slightly behind at 38%. Pet shopping here is still closely tied to neighborhood retail and routine grocery trips, suggesting that physical accessibility and familiarity continue to shape trust.

Country Differences Reveal Distinct Retail Paths: Korea, Thailand, Philippines

Across these three markets, the pattern is clear: hybrid shopping is universal, but the balance between digital convenience and physical reassurance varies by local retail culture.

The Rise of the Research-Driven Buyer

This hybrid retail landscape is reshaping not just where purchases happen, but how decisions unfold before checkout.

Across APAC, shopping behaviour has grown more intentional over the past two years:

37% describe themselves as more price conscious
28% spend more time researching before buying

Younger consumers, particularly those aged 18–24, lead in pre-purchase research. They actively compare ingredients, scan reviews, and evaluate value before committing. Digital platforms frequently serve as the first touchpoint in this process, but the final purchase may still happen across multiple channels.

What This Means for Pet Brands and Retailers

The hybrid landscape creates new priorities for businesses operating in APAC.

Align online discovery with offline reassurance: Product claims, pricing, and messaging must be consistent across platforms and physical stores. Store staff should reinforce the same narratives consumers encounter online.
Strengthen educational and review content: Since research plays a growing role in purchase decisions, clear product explanations, transparent ingredient information, and credible endorsements are essential.
Build omnichannel loyalty programs: Unified rewards, cross-channel promotions, and subscription models that integrate both online and store pickup can support seamless engagement.
Respond to price sensitivity with smarter value positioning: Instead of competing only on discounts, brands can offer bundles, loyalty incentives, and clearly communicated quality benefits.

Curious how APAC pet owners are shaping trends with every treat they buy and every service they book? Check out our full series of TGM Global Pet Care Insights 2026 reports, covering: Pet Nutrition, Pet Health & Vet Care, Pet Accessories & Services, Pet Ownership & LifeStyle, and Tech & Innovation.