From Trolleys to Tap-to-Buy: How Our Shopping Habits Have Evolved
Remember the days when shopping meant planning a trip, wandering through aisles, chatting to the local butcher or grocer, and coming home with far more than you intended (honestly, this is still me every week, but call me old-fashioned, I like to shop and choose my own products. Oh and use the checkout, not the self-checkout…)? Fast-forward to today, and many of us are doing our weekly shop in our pyjamas—while bingeing a series and half-listening to a podcast. By that I mean, they’re at home, shopping online. Although I have definitely seen pj’s at the shops and frankly, given what I’m wearing most days, I’m not judging, or one to talk. But anyway, the point is, that shopping, like everything else, has evolved. And in true modern fashion, it hasn’t settled into one form or the other. We now live in a hybrid world of carts and clicks, socials scrolling, instantaneous gratification when we see an ad for something we like - but there’s also still a place for bricks and mortar.
Online convenience, meet in-store nostalgia
For many, online shopping is no longer a luxury—it’s a lifestyle. With a few taps, we can reorder the dog food, find a new winter coat, or buy toilet paper in bulk. It’s fast, frictionless, and often cheaper. Many times we don’t even have to think about it, we sign up to a subscription once and that’s it, like magic, our choice of product arrives at a predetermined time somewhere in the future on a regular basis.
But despite the rise of apps and same-day delivery, in-store shopping hasn’t disappeared. Instead, it’s changed shape. We’re no longer just browsing; we’re feeling textures, checking sizes, reading packages, comparing prices, trying things on, meeting friends whilst out and about, or doing a sanity check before committing to the “Buy Now” button later online at a better price.
Some call it making sure those jeans don’t turn up toddler-sized and in hot pink instead of black. I love pink by the way.
The rise of intentional shopping
One major shift? People are thinking more about how and why they shop. The pandemic reset many routines and opened our eyes to where our products come from, how far they travel, and who makes them. It made us reconsider our health and the health of our loved ones—including our furbabies.
We’ve seen a huge focus on local products and supporting small businesses—but we’re also still riding the wave of the fallout of COVID in the form of a cost of living crisis (amongst other things).
There are options, though. At My Pet Life, for example, our meal toppers are designed with affordability and functionality in mind. Just a little bit goes a long way—making mealtimes more exciting and nutritious without breaking the bank.
And while some purchases may involve greater investment—like choosing higher-quality or sustainable products—there’s also greater awareness. People want less plastic, more transparency, better ethics, and real sustainability—not just convenience.
Impulse vs purpose
Online, algorithms tempt us with "just for you" ads.
In-store, it’s the smell of fresh bread or coffee brewing, cookies baking, and the magic of a good display.
Today’s shopper is a little savvier. We compare prices, read reviews, check ingredients, and think twice before impulse-buying a kitchen gadget shaped like a pineapple. Most of the time. (Impulse purchases are harder to avoid when shopping with a young child, by the way. I speak from experience—you should see the toy box. And my husband’s face when I walk in after one of those trips.)
Shopping is now... everywhere
You might scroll Instagram and suddenly be one click away from a handmade scarf in Tasmania. Or get a notification that the eco-toothpaste you browsed last week is 10% off—coincidence or creepy? Hard to say.
Shopping no longer requires a checkout line or even a wallet. We shop on the train, in bed, or while waiting for coffee. It’s ambient. Integrated. And always on.
So what does this mean for My Pet Life?
It means meeting you wherever you are.
→ Prefer shopping online? We’ve got you covered—our full product range is available on our website.
→ Like browsing in person? Drop us a line and find out where we are stocked or what upcoming event we’ll be at.
→ Want a refill in your own jar? Just ask. It’s something we’d like to test the market and hopefully offer on a larger scale.
→ Shopping for value? Our portion-friendly treats and toppers go a long way.
Whether you're a tap-to-buy type or a list-in-hand, market-trolley kind of person—we’re here for you. We want everyone to have access to high quality, natural treats for their beloved pets that are better for the environment.
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