BarkShop Live Pop-Up Shop to Open in NYC

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Bark & Co, the company behind BarkBox, announced the launch of BarkShop Live, a week-long experimental retail experience where dogs do the shopping themselves.

Running from June 6 to 12, 2016 in Manhattan, the by-appointment-only pop-up shop uses technology to help humans track what their dog really wants to take home

BarkShop Live is designed for dogs, allowing them to play with unwrapped toys in an open, specially curated space that’s absent of shelves and packaged toys found at traditional pet stores. As each dog plays, a high tech vest talks with RFID tags in all the toys and a mobile app on owners’ smartphones, allowing them to see what their dog likes and dislikes.

The app shares a recap of playtime and allows owners to simply tap and buy their dog’s favorite item, which will be shipped directly to their home.

“Building a store for dogs takes more than slapping a bar code on a bone,” said Henrik Werdelin, co-founder at Bark & Co. “BarkShop Live comes from our constant desire to know more about how our dogs see the world — and what makes them happiest.”

When dog owners buy a ticket and schedule a personal shopping appointment for their dog, the ticket’s price is applied to products their dog loves inside BarkShop Live. To make an appointment, visit livetickets.barkshop.com.