PIDA Distributor Sales Increase to $3.3 Billion

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A recent Pet Industry Distributors Association survey shows member distributors collectively did more than $3.3 billion in sales at wholesale last year.

This translates to more than $4.45 billion in retail sales, assuming an average gross margin of 35 percent, the group said in a press release.

PIDA-member distributors have made huge investments in warehouse space, equipment and people to get manufacturers’ products onto retailers’ shelves and into the hands of consumers.

Those members have 104 distribution centers, comprising 7.5 million-square-feet of warehouse space. They maintained, on average, $326 million in inventory, in stock, for immediate delivery, and made over 3 million deliveries to retail customers, with an average invoice of $1,076 per delivery.

PIDA distributor members employ 5,400 people to sell, pick, pack, deliver and collect payment for the products that manufacturers make. Nearly 1,000 inside and outside sales people call on retailers to promote the benefits of those products.

Distributors hold 51 trade shows and open houses each year to get manufacturers and retailers together for product demos and special offers, and 21,000 pet store owners and their employees attended these events, according to the survey.