Michael Landa, CEO of Nulo Pet Food in Austin, Texas,
says pet specialty stores can succeed by being the experts on natural pet nutrition.
Not exact matches
For
pet specialty stores, Abbey
says that means a closer working relationship between Loving Pets and its retail partners.
Creating a personal experience that shoppers can't find in larger
stores or online will serve
pet specialty retailers well and may help combat the showrooming that has become so endemic,
says Johnson.
«Walk into any
pet specialty retailer or the
pet aisle at your favorite
store, and the shelf will be dominated with pee pads,
pet potties and an ever - increasing supply of cleaning aids,» he
says.
With space at a premium in most
pet specialty stores, displaying raw diets in a way that highlights them to the best advantage requires creativity and strategy, sources
said.
``... We believe that
pet medical professionals at veterinary hospitals and well - trained, knowledgeable staff at
pet specialty stores are best equipped to answer
pet owners» questions about our products, and to make the right recommendation,
said Carolyn Hanigan, Vice President of Marketing, Nutro Products, Inc..
«Using an endcap, featuring different products as a product of the month, and moving natural chews to the front of the
store all work to aid
pet specialty retailers,» Cooper
said.
Dogs Love Kale is seeing success in many
pet specialty stores, and Savarese
says the new Dogs Love Snapeas will be available to the grocery and mass channels too.
«We have doubled our sales team in the last few months, and they have been working very hard to support and grow ökocat distribution at
pet specialty stores,»
said Leslie Ellis, consumer communication manager for Healthy
Pet, manufacturer of ökocat.
Fortunately,
says CEO and founder Kim Oliver, there are plenty of people who shop at independent
pet specialty stores and are willing to spend for quality.
At the same time, he
said that retail sales were strong, though he pointed out that most of the growth is coming from online activities and little to no growth is coming from the likes of mass retailers, big - box
pet specialty stores and independent
pet retailers.
Kann
says it is critical that the vendor understand the specific needs of
pet specialty retailer, and be able to establish a long - lasting partnership that will serve the
store well into the future.
«And there are a lot more
pet specialty stores opening up with a strong focus on natural and eco-friendly products,» Colella
says.
One of the challenges facing
pet specialty retailers is that there are now many grocery
store brands flying the grain - free logo,
says Schmitz.
Of course, the ability to deliver a high level of customer service is paramount for all independent
pet specialty retailers, but it is an area in which Gatti
says single -
store operators can particularly excel.
Dog beds may have a slower turnover compared to food and treats, but they typically offer healthier margins for
pet specialty stores,»
says Feng.
Despite the increased focus that non-
specialty retailers are placing on
pet products, as well as the continued growth of Petco and PetSmart, Merar
says that regional
pet specialty chains are proving to be the more formidable competitors for single -
store retailers.
During a panel discussion at last year's
Pet Fashion Week, Michael Dagne, president and founder of Moochie & Co., a
pet specialty retail chain with
stores in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana,
said something that really brings this point into focus.
When handled correctly, this category can help position the
pet specialty store owner as a trusted advisor and concerned friend, not just a retailer,
says Jones.
Independent
pet retailers need to become «education specialists,»
says Weiss, particularly since the big - box
stores are now starting to bring in natural products that were formerly found only in
pet specialty stores, she adds.
Dog apparel offers
pet specialty retailers a nice opportunity to jazz up their
stores and whip up excitement, Cress
says.
«Grain - free now accounts for 40 percent of all natural dog food sold in
pet specialty stores, which reflects an increased demand among
pet parents seeking the benefits of a grain - free diet for their
pet — from allergy management to easier digestibility to healthier skin and coat,»
said Mark Sapir, vice president of marketing for Merrick
Pet Care.
Managing the Category Offering customers a variety of waste - management and housetraining products with unique features and benefits will enable
pet specialty retailers to create compelling assortments that will pull customers in and differentiate their
stores from mass retailers,
says Jackie Resillez, marketing director for United
Pet Group (UPG)-- Companion Animal Division.
«The
pet specialty stores have to compete against big - box
stores,» she
says.
Minding the Category
Pet specialty retailers that don't offer a full array of bowl, diner and feeder choices are missing out, since every person coming into the
store who has a
pet needs a bowl,
says Sumit Sethi, president of Indipets, Inc. — located in Hillsborough, N.J., the company manufactures stainless steel
pet bowls for dogs and cats.
Offering these products and becoming knowledgeable about
pet oral hygiene will not only save customers money — giving them more to spend in your
store,
says Groth — a comprehensive oral - care section can help establish a
pet specialty retailer as one committed to
pet health and comfort, something that will drive repeat visits and make the
store a destination point.
Let's
say you've got a thriving
pet specialty store that has strong sales in aquatic livestock and supplies.
«Customers typically seek out
pet specialty stores to help them properly care for their
pets, and
pet owners like to feel like they are taking the best care of their loved ones that is possible,»
says Glenn Novotny, vice president of sales and marketing at Emerald
Pet Products, which offers Smart «n Tasty dental treats for cats and dogs.
«A major challenge facing the
pet specialty store is how to train staff to present solid information based on facts,»
says Dietz.
Another 20 percent
said that
pet specialty stores are their top spot for
pet products.
«The introduction of natural brands in grocery and mass consumer
stores will increase pressure and reduce growth potential at
pet specialty,» he
says, adding that CANIDAE, which is dedicated to the
pet specialty channel, can help.
The fact that these products are not yet found in every
pet store or retail channel gives
pet specialty retailers that carry them a big advantage, turning these
stores into destinations for
pet owners seeking out freeze - dried products,
says Tyler Thielmann, director of marketing for SO Bright LLC, a family - owned dog treat company in Kiel, Wis. «Another great thing is that it's very difficult to find dogs and cats that dislike [freeze - dried] treats,» he
says.
Dulaney
says it is crucial that
pet specialty stores stay well stocked on items such as water treatments, decorations and livestock.