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Going into the Bowls with Cat Owners
At first glance, the topic of “correct” food and water bowls for cats might seem strange. What’s the difference and don’t many owners purchase bowls based on their color and design preferences? While it is true that some customers select bowls that appeal to their aesthetic tastes and others simply choose them based on convenience […]
Demand for Herps Steadily Increasing
The boom in reptiles has been a great benefit for pretty much everyone involved in the pet trade. Breeders have benefited from the increased demand in reptiles, pet owners have been able to enjoy new breeds, colorations and morphs, and store owners have reaped the profits of both reptile sales and the sale of so […]
Going Above and Beyond for Indie Retailers
BY: Jim Reimann A few years ago, American Pet Nutrition noticed a pattern. Dog food manufactures were cranking out an abundance of overpriced, super-premium dog foods to sell online and in independent stores. Caring dog owners who wanted to give quality, healthy food to their dogs without spending a fortune had very few choices. Independent […]
Know the Ins and Outs of Your Customers
BY: Amy Castro Getting to know customers on a personal level is one great advantage that small businesses have over large corporations. However, many retailers miss out on relationship-building opportunities because they don’t know how to get to know their customers better. It’s not enough to just greet a customer and say, “Let me know […]
Advising Customers on Litter Issues
Cats who fail to use their litter boxes or use them consistently can cause real distress for their owners. This can negatively impact the relationship between them and is frequently cited as a reason why owners give their cats up for adoption. Pet retailers who offer basic tips to help their cat-owning clients get a […]
Benefits of Face-to-Face Trade Shows
With Global Pet Expo taking place this month, I thought it timely to discuss one aspect of the reptile business and the role of trade shows and conventions within the industry. While the digital revolution has modernized the way we communicate from supplier to wholesaler to store to customer, the importance of face-to-face events in […]
Success with Pet Influencer Marketing
BY: COURTNEY CANFIELD Just a few years ago, influencer marketing was still a bona fide buzzword. Essentially a 2.0 version of word-of-mouth, influencer marketing has since evolved and proved its place in the marketing mix. An end-of-year survey of marketers uncovered that 84 percent consider influencer marketing to be effective, and 67 percent reported that […]
Importance of Answering Consumer Demand on Transparency
BY: FRANK BURDZY Of all the product categories you can think of where transparency might be an important consumer purchase consideration, pet food should make the top 10 list. We know pet lovers are increasingly, actively concerned about how pet foods are made and where ingredients are sourced. To underscore the point, a groundbreaking 2016 […]
The Wild, Wild West
BY: ROB KOVLER Global Pet Expo is upon us and, because of the soaring popularity of CBD/hemp, it is important to me that distributors and retailers read the following now instead of later. It has become clear that pet store owners, product buyers and groomers wanting to learn more about this CBD/hemp extract phenomenon are […]
Building Bonds with Rescues and Shelters
BY: AMY CASTRO As the president of a nonprofit animal rescue group, I know the value of having a relationship with a pet retailer. Since our rescue is located in a rural location, we don’t get a lot of visitors out here. Being able to bring our animals to a retail location increases their adoption […]
Offer Advice for Dog Chewing Problems
We live in a time when pets have become beloved members of the family in a fashion that would have been considered outlandish a century ago. This isn’t to suggest that Americans haven’t had a long-standing love affair with their pets, but the sheer volume of toys, food and every other imaginable product and service […]
Add to Your Lineup with the Right Hire
BY: AMY CASTRO As a customer, I’m all about convenience. I don’t want to make five different stops to shop for groceries or to take care of my pets’ needs either—and I’m not alone. Customers these days love one-stop shopping, which is one of the reasons why many pet retailers and veterinarians have added more […]
