NOVEMBER

1 The end of Daylight Saving throws the lives of pets out of sync even more than for their humans. Why are you still sleeping when Spot needs to go potty? Why aren’t you home from work yet? In the weeks ahead, suggest your customers start adjusting their routines by a few minutes every day to get their animals used to the upcoming change. For those dogs who get particularly anxious, suggest CBD products (see our entry for Nov. 25 — Weed Wednesday).

3 Election Day is nearly always a lousy shopping day. Consumers use whatever free time they have to vote, then go home to watch results. And this year nobody seems to be in the mood for “fun” election-related marketing campaigns (Vote for your favorite cat food anyone?). What to do? Go vote! Make sure your staff can go, too. And wait for the rebound.

25 Green Wednesday is the new Black Friday. Also known as Weed Wednesday (and Danksgiving in some parts of the country), marijuana dispensaries use the day to market cannabis as a way to take the edge off, or even enhance, the annual family gathering. Pet businesses can get in on the action, as well, to tout the wide ranging benefits of CBD products.

27 Black Friday, the traditional beginning of the holiday shopping season, is here. What untraditional thing are you going to do? How about a gift card to all customers who made a purchase within the last 12 months. $5 off for those who spent $50, $10 off for those who spent $100 … and so it goes.

28 The big chains have Black Friday, the online giants Cyber Monday, but today — SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY — is your 15 minutes in the spotlight in a crowded holiday season. Go to smallbusinesssaturday.com and check out the resources available (there are newsletters to sign up for, sample social media posts, free online banners, logos and customizable signage, and more).

DECEMBER

6 Rockefeller Center hits the switch on its landmark Christmas tree today. You should have by now, too! Your customers want to see lights, decorations and reindeer carved from ice. Don’t let them down. (Actually, if you want to do something really different this year, invite over a reindeer. That will get the town talking.)

11 Two weeks till Christmas — it’s time Santa showed if he hasn’t already. At Petagogy in Greensburg, PA, the old man of good cheer visits every year to take pictures with customers’ pets. In 2018, more than 200 pets had their photo taken with Santa in front of an elaborate scene built by Santa himself (co-owner Ben Huber). It’s an investment in time and effort that repays itself in the form of thousands of social media impressions.

28 On Good Riddance Day, join the Times Square crowd (in spirit at least) in saying goodbye to your worst 2020 memories (oh, where to start!). Write down what bummed you out and toss it into the shredder. Enjoy the release!28
On Good Riddance Day, join the Times Square crowd (in spirit at least) in saying goodbye to your worst 2020 memories (oh, where to start!). Write down what bummed you out and toss it into the shredder. Enjoy the release!

31 Help your customers draft resolutions for their pets: eating better, getting regular check-ups and adding activities to their daily routine — all things you can help them with. Send that email.