Connect with us

Inbox

Head or Heart, Ban on Pet Sales and More Thoughts from Readers

In the May-June issue’s Inbox, readers share their likes, dislikes and suggestions for improvement for PETS+ and the industry.

mm

Published

on

Good Reads

  • I’m really enjoying the new Head or Heart column by Chris and Nancy Guinn. My husband (the head) and I (the heart) are also business partners with the same sorts of issues, so I appreciate hearing how the Guinns make their decisions. — Shane Somerville, Paddywack, Mill Creek, WA
  • PETS+ is the magazine I turn to most often. You do a great job at covering relevant topics. — Stacy Davis, That Fish Place That Pet Place, Lancaster, PA
  • Loved “Get Lucky: 17 Ways to Bring More Good Fortune to Your Business” article (Jan-Feb 2023). It was GREAT! Chris Burslem wrote it well and with great insight. I also loved the cute graphics. It was an enjoyable read. — Janelle Pitula, Wags to Whiskers, Plainfield, IL

More Love

  • Loved to see Wet Nose among the America’s Coolest winners. Love their store. It is beautiful, and they always have new creative ideas. Love following them on Facebook, too. — Jennifer Larsen, Firehouse Pet Shop, Wenatchee, WA
  • I love what PETS+ is doing both in the magazine and on Facebook. It has created a community of the pet industry. I don’t worry too much about whether what I say in the group gets out to the manufacturers because I would say the same thing to their faces. — Rachael Creech, Adventure Pets, Inc., Mandeville, LA
  • I love your photo galleries. It is so inspiring to see how creative my colleagues get in merchandising and promotions. — Teresa Hogge, Belly Rubs Pet Care, LLC, Ashburn, VA

Global Pet Expo 2023

  • I really enjoyed reading and looking at all of the products from Global. The posts and videos were very helpful. — Susan Nagel-Rees, Winky’s Pet Boutique, Chester, NJ
  • Day 3 at Global was disappointing. Most vendors were packing up at 1:30 p.m. I missed some of the vendors unfortunately. Maybe they should keep the end time to 5 p.m. — Paul Lewis, The Green K9, Eustis, FL

Pets+ Sample Box

  • We received our first Sample Box a few weeks ago, and it had some probiotics, some mushroom powder, and a meal topper that had tons of antioxidants. We have absolutely loved the products in this box. We provided a few clients with small portions of these products so they could relay some information back to us, and we kept some for our own pets. We have noticed not only better stool, but their energy levels have been higher. — Kristin Lindler, K9 Coature, West Columbia, SC
  • LOVED the March Sample Box! It was great to have several cat options. — Loree Shirazi, Paw Pleasers, San Diego, CA

More Indie Support, Please

  • I enjoy reading the different articles and seeing new products. It helps me to keep a pulse on the the industry and stay on trend. However, I wish there was a little bit more for small, independent retailers like myself. This industry is tough for businesses like mine. We do not have the resources large retailers do, and we have to work twice as hard to entice a consumer to come to our store, versus the convenience of grocery stores, online retail giants, etc. Reps also tend to overlook smaller retailers as well. It can be so discouraging at times. I would absolutely love to see more articles (even classes) on how small businesses like mine can grow and thrive, especially in today’s economy. Thank you for allowing us a voice. — Pamela Holbert, Powell Pet Food and Supply, Powell, TN

Editor’s note: Stay tuned for an email blast about our Sep-Oct issue! We will be doing “makeovers” for different indies, helping them to upgrade and improve specific areas of their business … not just design, but operations, leaderships … whatever help they may need. We’ll be asking readers to submit their businesses for this feature soon.

In the News

  • We are saddened by the recent pet bans on dog, cat, rabbit and Guinea pigs sales, because the “black” market and scammers will explode and exploit our industry. — Doug Staley, Pet Palace of New City, New City, NY

Brain Squad

  • I really love the Brain Squad surveys, but they are tough, too. They really make me think, but at the same time, I get excited for the magazine so that I can see what other retailers do, and it becomes a great inspiration for me and my store. So thank you for doing what you do! — Kimberly Gatto, The Wagging Tail Pet Grocery & Supply, Las Vegas, NV

Editor’s note: Thank you for being a longtime member! For those of you not yet in the Brain Squad, please join here. You get a free T-shirt and access to other really cool perks.

Advertisement

FEATURED VIDEO

NASC Media Spotlight

At first it was just an idea: Animal supplements needed the same quality control that human-grade supplements receive. But that was enough to start a movement and an organization —the National Animal Supplement Council — that would be dedicated to establishing a comprehensive path forward for the animal supplements industry. In this Media Spotlight interview, NASC’s president, Bill Bookout, talks to PETS+ interviewer Chloe DiVita about the industry today: Where it’s headed, what’s the latest focus and why it’s vital to gain the involvement of independent pet product retailers.

Promoted Headlines

Most Popular