Retailers Rave About the PETS+ Spring Sample Box

With recent trade shows going virtual, pet retailers have not been able to do one of their favorite things: discover new products in person, picking them up for a closer look, squeeze or even a sniff, or test items with their own pets.

And manufacturers have struggled to find new retail partners without a physical booth to invite them into for a conversation about their products.

We created a solution to this pandemic problem.

The PETS+ Spring Sample Box recently arrived at 200 independent pet retailers, putting product in their actual hands. Taking part were these leading pet manufacturers: Absorbine Pet Care, Ageless Paws, Cloud Star, Colorado Hemp Honey, Dogswell, Eco Dog Care, Heavenly Hounds, The Missing Link, Pet Parents, P.L.A.Y. Pet Lifestyle and You, Skout’s Honor, West Paw and WholesalePet.com.

Early feedback has retailers raving about the box. Modern Pet Foods owner Trace Menchaca held a special session of Trace’s Store School to share her unboxing.

And here are just a few of the reviews from social media:

“The Pets+ sample box is fantastic! It’s a great introduction to new products and brands. I found multiple items I would like to carry, and I made my first purchase the same night I received the box! Anna Fortini, Croton Pet Station, Croton-on-Hudson, NY

“Love love love our PETS+ Sample Box! What a fantastic idea to showcase new products! My team and I are reviewing to see which products we’d like to add to our store today.” Jennifer Guevin, Holistic for Pets, Sarasota, FL

“Absolutely loved. Not knowing what to expect, this very good-sized box was brought in by UPS. Realizing what it was, I was excited to see what samples were inside, a huge surprise was that it actually wasn’t sample sizes but retail-sized packaging. Loved the information that came with the product and the product samples themselves.” Chris Mitchell, Crown Hill Pet Supply, Seattle, WA 

“Loved it! Was fun going through it with my staff. Will be ordering several products that I had looked at but not seen in person, and learned about a new product from a familiar manufacturer that I’ll also be ordering. Lots of stuff to sample out to customers, too, which is great!” Diana Farrar, Fifi & Fidos Pet Boutique, San Antonio, TX

“The PETS+ Sample Box is awesome… and, it’s huge! Couldn’t believe all of the full-sized products — so generous of the companies that participated! I’m excited to find out about these new (to me) products and will look forward to adding them to my shop!” Kaye Busse-Kleber, Bark on Mulford, Rockford, IL

“A very well-curated box of “samples!” Like a mini trade show in a box, I got to see full-sized products and connect with new brands. I’ve definitely got my eye on a few for our stores!” Stephanie Wright, Bend Pet Express in Bend, OR.

“Just got mine today! Massachusetts. Wowza! Can’t wait to check everything out! Already see a couple items that I’m interested in. Shelly Nicastro , Essex Bird & Pet Supply, MA

“The best sample pack I have ever received! I am going to buy multiple items as soon as I get time to sit down and connect.” Jennifer Flanagan, Nature’s Pet Market Sherwood & Nature’s Pet Market Wilsonville, OR

“Love, love this box! So many great products that I’ve never purchased for my store and plan to now. Already handed out samples to customers who were interested in purchasing the entire product!” Danielle Wilson, Bath & Biscuits Granville, OH

“Awesome box! It was fun going through our box and our dogs loved trying some of the products. We will be adding a few products to our store. Love the future discount at wholesalepet. Almost as good as going to Global.” Sue Hepner, Cool Dog Gear, Warrington, PA

“What fun this box was! Especially since we were all missing Global. We videoed the opening to send to one of our owners who wasn’t present and we couldn’t wait any longer! The products are great and I want to bring in several… oddly one we had just discussed about an hour before we opened the box. How do we make sure we can get a summer box? That was one of the first questions my staff asked. We all loved it!! Thank you so very much for putting this together.” Michelle McConnell, A Natural Pet Pantry, Osprey FL

“The Pets+ Sample box is phenomenal! I am definitely a “hands-on” shopper! Being able to touch/smell/see the product is priceless. I am definitely going to bring in quite a few of these items — and I can’t wait for the next one! This makes shopping for new products E-A-S-Y! Thank you so much for including us!” Johnna Devereaux, Fetch RI, Richmond, RI

“We got ours today, and I am so excited. It is so nice as a retailer to get a package that has products that are not from a company that walks in your door and talks about how their products are the best. This gives us retailers a real chance to actually look and research the products without any pressure. There are definitely several products I will be ordering. There are some I have heard of but never seen. And now I get to put my hands on them and see if we want to bring them in. I think every company should try to get into this box. Thank you so much for this. I can’t wait until the next one. Again a big thanks. Keith Zeiler,  Paws on Chicon, Austin, TX

In addition to loving the products inside, retailers were impressed by the box itself. Mars Legarde and The BoxMaker created the colorful and whimsical design.

Retailers interested in receiving a future PETS+ Sample Box can apply to be a member of the PETS+ Products Squad. Advertisers interested in placing their products in the box can email PETS+ Advertising Director Desiree Lynch.