consumerism

Six Pet Industry Trends Shaping 2026—and the Future of Human Wellness

Six Pet Industry Trends Shaping 2026—and the Future of Human Wellness

The pet industry isn’t just booming—it’s pointing to something far bigger. What was once a niche retail category is now a cultural and economic force reshaping how we live, heal, and connect. From AI-powered feeders to pet memorial rituals, the pet space is offering early signals about the next evolution of consumer behavior, emotional intelligence, and even human identity. As a Futurist focused on well-being and the future of consumer behavior, the pet industry is top of mind. It’s one of the clearest frontiers where wellness, ethics, and emotional need converge—offering a lens into what people truly value and where we’re collectively headed.

Why Self Actualization Is The Future of Retail - Retail Executive Magazine Exclusive by Lindsay Angelo

Why Self Actualization Is The Future of Retail - Retail Executive Magazine Exclusive by Lindsay Angelo

Understanding your customer’s basic, societal, and growth needs should influence your current strategies and offerings. What is the future of retail? A question that has stirred up spirited debate — one we are reminded of with a simple walk to the grocery store or while mulling over a gum purchase. The notion of looking in unordinary places to answer ordinary questions has always inspired me. Triggered by a desire to pursue a consulting venture that provoked positive change and coming off six years in strategy at Lululemon, this trail led me to none other than the field of evolutionary psychology. If that phrase conjures up Psychology 101 and images of Abraham Maslow, you’re on the right track. It is in the posthumous of Maslow’s work and its iterations that lay an undiscovered truth that, if unpacked, can open up a world of opportunity.