19 Retail Tips from PETS+ That Readers Say Are Invaluable

EDITOR’S NOTE: We asked readers to tell us about a PETS+ tip or feature they found especially helpful. You can find everything mentioned here at petsplusmag.com.

• The “Digital Sabbath” tip made me take a real day off. No blue screen at all, no texting, social media or emails. I love it! I feel like I have a real day off on Sundays now. — Cathy Dervalis, Dog Day Afternoon, Belleville, IL
• “Do the Employees at Your Pet Business Feel Engaged?” by Shawna Schuh. I definitely need to eliminate the word staff! And use “team member” 100 percent. It definitely sounds better! — Margo Tortorelis, My Natural Pet, Brooklyn, NY
• I loved the “How to Host a Titer Testing Clinic at Your Pet Business” video interview with Samantha Youngblood. Very informative and something we could see ourselves implementing. — Danny Offenbacher, City of Paws Petcare, Philadelphia, PA
• “New & Notable.” The variety show-style lists of products; I work well with visuals like these. Almost as good as a rep’s duffel bag. — Rebecca Martino, Stately Pet Supply, Clarks Summit, PA
• I took lots of notes from “Going Beyond Dogs and Cats,” as we are adding small animal products soon. That article helped! I have a host of products and ideas to work with now! Thanks to all the stores that contributed! — Jennifer Larsen, Firehouse Pet Shop, Wenatchee, WA
• We are working on ideas for National Senior Pet Month! The “Calendar” page is always helpful! — Kat Forry, A1 Pet Emporium, Oklahoma City, OK
• In the Facebook group, I loved the idea of breaking out frozen treat items and putting them for sale individually in a shower caddy suctioned to the freezer door. I incorporated this into our store, and it’s done really well! — Johnna Devereaux, Fetch RI, Richmond, RI
• I’m working on seasonal boxes and will be implementing advice I’ve gotten through the “Create Your Own Pet Box with Inspiration from These 8 Stores” article as well as from the Facebook group! — Stephanie Wright, Bend Pet Express, Bend, OR
• I take something away from every single edition I read. I look forward to my daily 7 a.m. emails, as well, to keep me up to date with headlines I may have missed that day or week. — Lauren O’Hanlon, Ruff House, Fort Lauderdale, FL
• The “Photo Op” article on selfie stations was very helpful. We will be putting one in soon. — Jennifer Baker, Grateful Dog Bakery, North Ridgeville, OH
• We are planning to build a section of raw bones and parts. There were some awesome displays in the recent article “Chew on This.” — Ruth Sturgis, Dog Daze, North Syracuse, NY
• I most recently was following a Facebook post about how people handle their “sponsor a shelter pet” events at Christmas. It was suggested that we have a volunteer organization make the ornaments, and I think we are going to try it this year. What a great way to further involve the community! The amount of ideas within the Facebook group and the magazine is staggering. It is so incredible to be able to learn so much from my peers while sitting comfortably in my chair at home in my pajamas. — Jennifer Thomas, Lucky Dog Pet Grocery & Bakery, Lawrence, KS
• I love the recent idea of offering “Cider Monday” after Thanksgiving! What a great way to entice/reward shoppers. I won’t be doing it this year as we still have a mask mandate (and are happy about that), but I think for the future when there’s not a pandemic, it could be a super option for us! — Shane Somerville, Paddywack, Mill Creek, WA
• I still love “Manager’s To-Do List.” — Caroline Gunther, Wag! A Unique Pet Boutique, Hendersonville, NC
• “The Manager’s To-Do List” is my favorite section. Those gentle reminders are always appreciated. — Sheila Spitza, Wet Nose, Geneva, IL
• Our customers are looking forward to the PETS+ Sample Boxes as much as we are! We now have customer “Dog Scouts” who we bring in to try the contents and get feedback before we buy from the box. Dog Scouts also get lots of samples during the year to try from other resources. They get a special pin, kind of like a boy scout badge, to designate them as Dog Scouts! It’s a super popular program and we limit the number of scouts to make it a little more exclusive honor! — Pattie Zeller, Animal Connection LLC, Charlottesville, VA
• Love the heads up on new products and industry updates in general. I feel this is so important right now with so few trade shows. — Melissa Wiltse, Happy Pooch Styling and Spa, Lynden, WA
• The group on Facebook always gives me ideas. We are looking at doing a pumpkin patch for the dogs and are doing 13 Spooktacular Days of Halloween. — Steph Steelman, Wings Wags and Whiskers , Amarillo, TX
• I love seeing the “Hot Sellers” as well as going over the items that come in the Sample Box. We have brought in some things, with others on the agenda for the future. I also love seeing everyone else’s displays for new ideas! This is a favorite publication! — Beth Kidd, Dogs By Design, Irwin, PA