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Editor's Note

Retailers Take a Look Back at 2022 Q3 Trade Shows

The PETS+ inbox overflows with praise for recent trade shows as well as for PETS+ coverage.

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Aw, Thanks!

  • One of my favorite things in the magazine is information about new products. I haven’t been able to attend anything in person for a number of years, so this magazine is a godsend when looking for things to add to our inventory! — Beth Kidd, Dogs By Design, Irwin, PA
  • We love getting PETS+ and have come to depend on it for fresh ideas and new products. — Gloria Von Zech, The Principled Pet, Collingswood, NJ
  • Always enjoy “Real Deal,” the what would you do in this situation feature. I like to see what others have to say. — Mary Simpson, E & M Pets, Countryside, IL
  • I always love the up-and-coming products and the articles on how to do business in this new era. — Katie Titterington, Arnie’s Pet Foods, Lincoln, NE
  • I’m so new to this world! I’m very, very thankful that people put so much effort into helping indie pet stores succeed! So, just a giant THANK YOU! — Amber Staton, Smoosh Pets, Knoxville, IA
  • I love Manager’s To-Do List! I shared it with my marketing manager, and we are working on some of the ideas to increase our exposure in our marketplace. — Lisa Kirschner, Sit, Stay, ‘N Play, Stroudsburg, PA
  • I always enjoy reading and seeing photos of how other stores merchandise and what products do well in their location. — Chad Miller, Pet Wants Rehoboth Beach, Rehoboth Beach, DE
  • Loved the recent reshare of “27 Contrarian Rules of Business That Every Pet Retailer Should Know” [October, 2019]. I often tell my staff, “It is hard to be a salmon.” Meaning thinking of and doing things that aren’t necessarily mainstream … swimming against the tide. Many of the 27 rules apply to how we run our business. It serves us well. — Andrea Demmons, The TailGait Market, Asheville, NC
  • PETS+ and Editor-in-Chief Pamela Mitchell continue to amaze me with how much information they bring to the table. Most recently, I missed SuperZoo but was able to see so many new things because of Pamela’s coverage via social media and the articles in the magazine. My staff also follows PETS+ and discusses the different ideas they see. It is an extremely valuable resource for our store. — Jennifer Thomas, Lucky Dog Pet Grocery & Bakery, Lawrence, KS
  • I’d like to say how amazing the PETS+ Sample Boxes are. I’m such a new store, that I don’t have the staff to be able to leave and go to industry trade shows to see new products. The sample box is a great way for me to see and try them. I really appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this. Thank you! — David Price, Fuzzy Buttz, Calera, AL

Now, You Take A Bow

  • So many of us have really stepped up and weathered some serious storms these past few years — DCM, brand buyouts, Covid and restricted business operations, product and employee scarcity — that we all really deserve a round of applause for not giving up. — Jamie Schuller, Dog Naturals, Branson, MO

Q3 Trade Shows

  • It was great to be back at SuperZoo! So nice to talk with vendors and actually touch merchandise! — Loree Shirazi, The Original Paw Pleasers, San Diego, CA
  • SuperZoo was really nice this year. I hope that next year we see more indie brands coming back, but I think this year was a good return to a little more normal. — Melisa Wynn, Paws & Fins Pet Shop, Bainbridge Island, WA
  • We had a great first-time trip to SuperZoo and enjoyed meeting all of the vendors. We were able to snag some good deals on products that we already carry and also found some new products we want to bring in. — Janet Huffor, Furry Friends Inc., Colorado Springs, CO
  • SuperZoo was incredible. It felt great to get back into the swing of things and be a part of all the buzz and excitement in our industry. It was fantastic to meet so many people in person that I have been working with online for so many years. — Becci Scott, Fetching Dog, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Price increases are starting to really pinch us again. Getting really great deals at the BCI distributor show definitely helped us bring in fresh products with competitive pricing. — Paige Elder, Buzz n’ B’s Pet Shop, Erie, PA
  • PFExpo continues to get bigger and better every year! This was our third year attending. Saw so many great products and had an absolute blast at the afterparty. Can’t wait for next year! — Katherine Ostiguy, Crossbones, Providence, RI
  • We attended the NAN buying show a few days ago. I was happy to see a few new companies and products coming into distribution. — Michele Saharic, Barkley’s Marketplace, Flemington, NJ

Looking Ahead

  • It would be nice to have a complete timeline with details of the DCM controversy. I think all retailers would like to have a factual document they can post or hand out. — Jennie Dudley, Hairy Winston, Mount Pleasant, SC

EDITOR’S NOTE: Tall order! Let us see what we can do.

  • I’d like to see more articles written by retailers. Although “industry professionals” have much to share, what’s important is feedback from those who are “in the trenches” on a daily basis. I’m always impressed by the good ideas that are shared when someone posts a question or a problem on the social media feed. Those are real answers! — Pattie Zeller, Animal Connection, Charlottesville, VA

EDITOR’S NOTE: You’ll find “real answers” from successful retailers and service providers throughout each issue. We pride ourselves on that! In Nov-Dec alone, there are reader tips in Calendar, Manager’s To-Do List and Tip Sheet. America’s Coolest winners share their successes. Salon owner Lashonda Geffrard offers her take on virtual assistants in Columns. And Nancy Guinn helms Real Deal, which includes more than a dozen responses from retailers and service providers. More pet business owners will be sharing their successes in Columns in 2023. Stay tuned!

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