Wands and other toys that encourage interaction between cat and owner also remain an important part of
the cat aisle.
Probably the biggest concern for most independent pet retailers when selecting furnishings for
the cat aisle is finding adequate space to merchandise these items.
This one, rather than being discussed in Congress, is more likely to be a hot topic of conversation in
the cat aisle.
Focus on Function Pet owners have become more eco-conscious, but an eco-friendly descriptor on a product often still serves as more of a differentiator in today's
cat aisle than a deciding factor.
These products play an important role in making
the cat aisle profitable for independent pet stores.
Others, like Weiss, recommend stocking cat healthcare products within
the cat aisle — separately from any dog healthcare products the store might also carry.
Employees should be trained to understand how each item in
the cat aisle can contribute to bettering the relationship between cat and owner.
An important item in
every cat aisle, cat grass is safe, nutritional, easy to sell and enjoyed by many felines.
Green cat products in
the cat aisle today will help provide what we need for a healthier environment tomorrow.
Liners, litter scoops, litter box mats, charcoal filters and deodorizers should be available in
the cat aisle.
Tucked into
every cat aisle beside the cat food is another category that is often overlooked.
They should be available in
every cat aisle and in more than one size.
Handout some freebies once in a while at checkout to your cat customers, or possibly when discussing cat - related issues in
the cat aisle.
Ultimately, product knowledge is what makes the difference between a store where cat scratcher play land draws shoppers in and boosts its bottom line and a store that struggles to turn over products in
its cat aisle.
Since cat furniture, beds and scratching posts vary greatly in color, size, style and quality, retailers will need to be discerning when stocking
the cat aisle.
Diet Varieties A good starting point is giving a brief explanation of the basic categories of diets in
the cat aisle.
The cat aisle is loaded with behavioral products for cat owners, but many might not be obvious to the novice cat owner or new employee.
There is one product that can be found in every cat household and in
every cat aisle: cat litter.
There are several types of supplements to consider carrying in
the cat aisle.
Rather than taking a customer up and down
the cat aisle, try to put together travel kits that are easy to grab off the shelf.
Thanks to manufacturers that have produced many eco-friendly products for this sector of the pet industry, it shouldn't be difficult for retailers to green - up the product selection in
the cat aisle.
Although litter has been a mainstay of
the cat aisle since it first hit the shelves in the 1950s, the category continues to grow today.
There are many remedies in
the cat aisle that help owners tackle specific problems.
Offer a «free treat with purchase» of other
cat aisle products, such as kitty litter, accessories, collars and leads, grooming supplies and toys.
The cat aisle is stocked full of products that can help take the frustration out of cat ownership.
Stocking the Aisle
The cat aisle should be well stocked and organized with items that can fill health - related voids in every life stage of the domestic feline, along with helping provide comfort to convalescing and senior cats.
This, combined with the wealth of flavors and package sizes available, makes for an extensive list of potential products retailers can stock in
the cat aisle.
A retailer can stock cat supplements in an aisle with other animal supplements, or it may choose to stock them in
the cat aisle.
Here again, keeping an odor - free home for Felix will require numerous products from
the cat aisle.
Healthcare Essentials There are several other categories in
the cat aisle that address a host of health - related issues.
The most common treats in
the cat aisle will fall into one of three categories — dry, freeze dried or semi-moist.
CATNIP AS AN ADD - ON Catnip can be cross-sold with many of the other items in
the cat aisle.
Many new products on the shelves in
the cat aisle address various health concerns.
Also, buy cautiously when selecting the large gym pieces — if floor space is limited in
the cat aisle, so should be choices for large pieces in the inventory.
Retailers also need to offer a good toy selection in
the cat aisle to ensure owners have a variety of toys at their disposal.
Instead, scratchers are often left unassembled on a bottom shelf or assembled on a top shelf, above the other products in
the cat aisle.
Or maybe you're just interested in greening up the product selection in
the cat aisle?
Once the store has the right balance of good - better - best litter products and accessories, displaying them in the right place within
the cat aisle is equally important.
It's better to have [grooming products] in
the cat aisle along with some signage [explaining the benefits]-- then they'll go, «Oh, yeah; that's a great idea,»» explains Panter.
Catnip is an essential part of every store's
cat aisle — and it can be found in a wide variety of forms.
Catnip is simultaneously one of the best known and least understood product categories in
the cat aisle.
How the store chooses to present those products within
their cat aisle, however, will depend on the amount of floor space the store has available and how much room is devoted to cat grooming.
Feline Friendly Of course, litter - related products are right at home in
the cat aisle alongside food, treats and toys.
Litter and the products associated with it — boxes, scoops, odor eliminators and the like — have long been staples in
the cat aisle.
Having store staff who understands the products on the shelves and can explain the benefits of various products, will go a long way toward building loyalty in
the cat aisle.
But to make it a staple of
the cat aisle, retailers need to focus on stocking quality products and emphasizing customer service.
The inventory in
the cat aisle should include products that can be used throughout the entire house — products that work on carpet, hardwood floors, walls, countertops, household furniture, cat furniture, trash cans, around and in litter boxes, in the air, and even outdoors.
Whereas
the cat aisle was once lined with blandly colored plastic bowls, boxes and carpet - covered scratchers — things pet owners would want to hide when company came over — today, it boasts a collection of thoughtfully designed accessories, with design options for every household and lifestyle.
While both should either be within the healthcare section or
the cat aisle, they can be displayed in two obvious groups, with signage or other point - of - purchase materials that explains the differences for those busy times when a sales person may not be available.
Holcomb says retailers should consider
the cat aisle a destination.