What Readers Loved in the Sep-Oct Issue, Plus Industry Thoughts

Sep-Oct Good Reads

• Regarding the “Better Together” column by Beth Stultz-Hairston, this is the perfect example of comm-UNITY! Partnerships, referrals and collaborative efforts are the best way to work together. We’re successful when our neighbors are! — Roxane Cann, The Dapper Hound, Mount Airy, NC
• I loved the To-Do List suggestion about cleaning up the inactive followers on social media! It was also a great reminder to engage, which is incredibly important to expose your own account. — Stephanie Garza, Pup Pup & Away, San Antonio, TX
• I always appreciate “The Case of The …” scenarios, where different shop owners share how they would handle various scenarios in their business (Real Deal). — Charles Bridges, Blue Ridge Pet Supplies, Black Mountain, NC

Sample Box

• We absolutely love the PETS+ Sample Box. It is always like Christmas when they come. The staff gathers around to see what we got. It is such an amazing opportunity to get new products in our hands with all the information about the product and the detailed list of where to order. — Danyle Morse, Claremont Pet & Aquarium Center, Claremont, NH

Industry Thoughts

• It’s interesting to see Stella & Chewy’s moving into grocery stores and big-box stores like HEB and Target. Likewise, with lightly cooked and frozen raw pet foods. It’s getting tougher to find a quality dry food to stock, as it’s difficult for me to see beyond the protein and the carb — lots of marketing and buzzwords to spin in this category to differentiate products. — Cynthia McKinney, Loyl’s Natural Pet Grocery & Groomery, Houston, TX
• Are trade shows dead? And why can’t there be something in the middle of the country? — Mark Roberts, Pet Life By Roberts, Salina, KS

You’re Welcome

• Thank you, as always, for all that you do. We absolutely couldn’t do what we do without your magazine and daily input. — April Meier, Pawsitively Scrumptious Bark Bakery & Boutique, Crestview, FL
• Thank you for putting all the time and energy into the surveys and into the boxes. This helps us stay in touch with what is going on in the pet industry. — Lisa Kirschner, Sit, Stay, ‘N Play, Stroudsburg, PA
• We love PETS+! Keep up the great work. It is rough out there — we gotta stick together! — Samantha Youngblood, Youngblood’s Natural Animal Care Center and Massage, Wilkinson, IN

Coverage Request

• Would love to give feedback to companies on their tags. — Laurie Wilson, Teca Tu-A Pawsworthy Pet Emporium, Santa Fe, NM