The THIS & THAT CANINE CO. SnackStation Great Canadian Sticks, which retail for $4.49. Why are they so awesome? They are a limited-ingredient sweet potato snack flavored with Canadian bacon and maple flakes, which makes it smell exactly like maple syrup. They are also great for doggies with tummy issues, as sweet potato naturally helps with digestion and regulating bowel movements. Happy gut, happy mutt! — Corey Heenan, Boutique and Pet Spa, Altamont, NY
UCARI test kits. I didn’t run any promotion — people were just very into the idea of understanding why their cat is “picky” eating. — Angela Velasquez, The Kitty Bodega, Houston, TX
- We did a print ad campaign of all TALL TAILS products at 20% off and sold out in one week. — Chad Miller, Pet Wants Rehoboth Beach, Rehoboth Beach, DE
- RAWTERNATIVE air-dried dog food. We launched this in September, and it immediately took off. This is quickly replacing other air-dried foods we carry. The beef, 3 pounds, retails for $64.99 and is the bestseller so far. — Julie Sterling, Julz Animal Houz, Marysville, WA
- UP COUNTRY sweaters were flying off the shelf! We have them on the front table. They’re a great value, and customers always think they’re homemade because they’re a great quality! — Kate Bowman, Clipper’s Canine Cafe, Ellicott City, MD
- INCLOVER OptiGest. Huge hit. I passed out a free sample any time someone mentioned that their dog was having diarrhea. When they came back to find out more, they ended up purchasing a larger size. I have been noticing a trend in my neighborhood that shows my customers are looking for preventative measures, products that keep their furbabies away from the vet. I’ve been leaning most of my attention towards products like OptiGest. On the same hand, FERA PET ORGANICS hit my shelves last week, and I am going to need to reorder if it keeps flying off. — Errin Jolley, Purrz and Paws, St. Helens, OR
- All KONG toys due to the Kong Day promotions! — April Meier, Pawsitively Scrumptious, Crestview, FL
- The new AUSTIN AND KAT Bailey’s No More Wiggles travel three-pack chews have done really well at $9.99, and it’s a great introduction to the brand and its other SKUs. It’s propelled the regularly priced No More Wiggles chews at $49.95, and the Hip & Joint Formula chews at $49.95 also consistently perform well without promotions. — Jeffrey Jensen, Four Muddy Paws, St. Louis, MO
- WERUVA cat foods, cans, pouches, pates, shredded. Promo of 15% off for Neighborhood Pet Store Day. — Denise Strong, Pawz On Main, Cottonwood, AZ
- Goat’s milk! We’ve been doing a lot of education on its benefits, and not a single pet doesn’t love it. I think it also has a lot to do with kitten and puppy season because we don’t carry formula; we push the most natural option. The top seller has been GREEN JUJU quarts and half gallons, as they are the best priced. And with their new packaging, I think we will continue to see an increase! — Rebecca Nicholson, Yarn & Bone Pet Supply, Milford, DE
- We got a good start on Halloween toys and treats. Put them out, and they have been selling. We particularly love the branding on GIVEPET and BOCCE’S BAKERY Halloween treats, and they both are hot sellers. — Beth Staley, Happy Dog Barkery, Downers Grove, IL
- Bestselling product of September was the whole Dr Marty line. Our rep gave us free samples to hand out in mid-August, and I’d guess 75% of the customers came back for the 16-ounce bags. We got in the 48-ounce bags, and they started selling as well. For Neighborhood Pet Store day, the 48-ounce bags were $15 off, and they were a hit! One customer bought four 48-ounce bags alone! — Adrian Pannell, Bill’s Pet Shop, Havelock, NC
- MY PERFECT PET Snuggles Gently Cooked Chicken & Rice Blend, 3.5 pounds, for dogs. $27.99. We began stocking the entire line in September. Many customers come in searching for a food that their pet will eat and digest well. My Perfect Pet has been a wonderful solution for picky eaters and pets suffering from digestive upset. — Elizabeth Zikmund, Give A Dog A Bone, Evansville, IN
What’s the Brain Squad?
If you’re the owner or top manager of a U.S. pet business serving the public, you’re invited to join the PETS+ Brain Squad. Take one five-minute quiz a month, and you’ll get a free t-shirt, be featured prominently in this magazine, and make your voice heard on key issues affecting the pet industry. Sign up here.
