ST. LOUIS, Mo.—Nature’s Variety will offer one grand-prize winner $10,000 in cash and prizes for a store makeover as part of its Transform Your Store Sweepstakes at this year’s Global Pet Expo. The prize includes a consultation with a professional retail space designer, a glass freezer with one free fill…
WHEELING, Ill.—Evanger’s Dog & Cat Food Company is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2010, marking Evanger’s as one of the oldest natural dog and cat food canneries in the United States. To commemorate this milestone, Evanger’s has launched the Signature Series featuring Cuts in Gravy as well as a freeze-dried…
DALLAS, Texas—Central Pet will host a Dallas open house at Cowboys stadium this spring. The open house (which will take place April 8, 2010) will include special stadium tours, lunch overlooking the field, and show specials. A variety of extras are also available to customize exhibitors’ booths, including logos on…
MEQUON, Wis.—Fromm Family Pet Foods has introduced a variety of grain-free canned foods–Four-Star cans and the classic Gold line, both for dogs, and Four-Star Cans for Cats. Four-Star cans are available in Shredded Pork, Shredded Chicken and Shredded Beef entrées. The Gold line recipes include Chicken, Duck and Chicken, and…
LOS ANGELES—DOGSWELL has launched a new online retailer portal, bringing even more support to DOGSWELL sellers. The new online portal allows retailers to control their store’s information and profile on the DOGSWELL store locator (including what products they carry), request POP materials and promotional items, give suggestions, access media files…
Phillips Builds Sales ForcePhillips Feed and Pet Supply has added four new sales managers and will now deliver from Maine to the Florida Keys. Russ Watson will lead the sales force for the New England region, in the position of regional sales manager. Ron Vinhateiro will cover Rhode Island and…
PORTLAND, Maine—The Planet Dog Foundation is making an emergency donation to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation to support the efforts of their teams currently active in Haiti. Donations made to the Planet Dog Foundation's Matching Grant Program for Haiti by Monday, Feb. 8, 2010 will be matched by the…
BOSTON—The State of Massachusetts is considering a bill (HB 1250) that will allow for non-economic damages (including emotional distress and loss of companionship) in suits for malicious injury or killing of a pet and has scheduled a committee hearing on the bill for Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. According to the…
Bell Rock GrowersBell Rock Growers has completed agreements with distributors and retailers in all 48 contiguous states. Bell Rock Growers is a certified organic grower of live wheat grass and provides an industry-exclusive line of pet products powered with green nutrition. For more information, visit www.bellrockgrowers.com. Neater FeederTowerStar Pets, LLC…
SECAUCUS, N.J—The Hartz Mountain Corporation has launched a collection of eight ambidextrous, ergonomically-designed professional-quality dog grooming tools, plus a pedicure kit, to its Hartz Groomer’s Best brand. Developed in collaboration with professional groomers, Hartz Groomer’s Best molded-rubber tool handles will fit any size hand, for maximum comfort and control, and…
FAIRPORT HARBOR, Ohio—OurPet’s has introduced a new “Brand Width” strategy featuring a redesigned logo and a refocused corporate message that celebrates the company’s diverse product line. “OurPet’s has been responsible for some of the best known products in our industry, such as Dura Pet Stainless Steel Bowls, Play-N-Squeak Cat Toys, Flappy…
NORTH HILLS, Calif.—Bamboo, the pet care division of leading baby product manufacturer Munchkin Inc., announced the purchase of Lindam, the U.K.’s number-one safety brand and leading international developer of nursery products. This acquisition includes the addition of the company’s market-leading gates, which will become a portfolio within Bamboo’s pet care…
ORLANDO, Fla.—Woof Gang Bakery, the nation’s fastest-growing gourmet dog treat bakery and retail store franchise, has awarded area development rights for the Central Florida region.Under this area development agreement, approximately six new Woof Gang Bakery stores will open by the end of 2012 throughout the counties of Orange, Osceola, Seminole,…
MIAMI, Fla.—All Pet Supply USA is adding four new product lines for 2010: Marvelous Pet Supplies (bird and small animal cages), Tradewinds (dog and cat flea/tick products), Bergan (dog and cat carriers/beds) and Nootie (dog shampoos).The addition of Marvelous Pet Supplies adds a luxury wrought-iron bird cage line to All…
CORONA, Calif.—North American Pet Products has acquired the assets of Cerritos, Calif.-based CASCO Group Inc., one of the world’s largest manufacturers of retail acrylic aquariums and commercial pet systems. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Teams from the two companies reacted immediately to ensure a seamless customer experience.…
TUSTIN, Calif.—PetDisplays.com is a new web-based pet supply distributor offering a select assortment of strategically priced pet supplies in point-of-sale display racks, dump bins, clip strips, designed endcaps, power wings and other space-conscious, high-impact retail displays, delivered directly to retail outlets at wholesale pricing. Company founder Rich Rivlin has 40…
TAMPA, Fla.—Kakadu Pet has launched two new product lines, Pet Cots and Explorer dog coats. The coats come in two styles: either with a nylon outer layer and fleece lining or a double-fleece version. The Pet Cot, a raised pet bed, is designed to help keep pets cool in the…
WATERBURY, Vt.—Canus Goat’s Milk has expanded its dog shampoo line to include three varieties of goat’s milk-based products. In addition to Nature’s Dog original Moisturizing Shampoo, the company has added Oatmeal Shampoo and Puppy Shampoo formulas. These all-natural shampoos are biodegradable, phosphate free and ph-balanced for a dog’s skin. For…
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Blue Skies LLC is the newest manufacturer’s rep company in the pet industry. Formed by Robin Kershner and Mike Bennett, the company will provide coverage in the east-coast region. Blue Skies has already contracted with multiple companies in the industry, including Auburn Leathercrafters, Allure Pet Products (makers of Hugglehounds),…
ARLINGTON, Texas—Petmate has added a new 50-ounce design to its line of Fresh Flow Purifying Pet Fountains. The new Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow, a quiet purifying pet fountain that provides filtered water throughout the day, comes in three sizes: a 50-ounce size for cats, and 108-ounce and 216 ounce sizes…
New Sales Managers Join PrecisionPrecision Pet Products has hired two new sales managers to cover the Great Lakes and northeast regions. Madalina Hardman is now territory sales manager for the Great Lakes region. Hardman was previously the national accounts manager for Penn-Plax Pet Products. Hardman has also worked for Coastal…
Several major manufacturers have recently undergone brand redesigns. Some of these have been major – they’ve overhauled their logo, their packaging, and/or their formula, while releasing new lines and products – while others have been on a smaller scale, doing one or two of the above but not all, or…
I’m not in sales. Obviously. But, I seem to remember some maxim about not letting a customer leave the sales floor before the sale is closed, because once the customer says, “I’ll think about it and get back to you,” it’s over. That customer is not likely to come back.…
So, it’s the new year, and many people have made resolutions for 2010. I know this because the gym is now packed and it’s much harder to secure a treadmill. Most people make personal resolutions, to eat healthy foods, exercise, save money, etc. I made a few of those this…
My search for a new neighborhood pet store continues… As I wrote in my last blog (“Welcome to the Neighborhood”), my family recently moved to a new town, so we’re currently on the hunt for a new place to shop for our two dogs. My latest efforts found me surfing…
When my family and I recently moved into a new home, I was astounded by the number of promotional mailings I received from a variety of businesses in my new home town. It wasn’t a week after the deal closed when flyers began arriving from local drycleaners, take-out restaurants,…
In my new apartment, I’ve had a difficult time replacing the community-oriented businesses I enjoyed in my old apartment. Especially disappointing, considering that I work for Pet Business, has been the lack of a great pet store. Soon after moving, I canvassed my neighborhood, walking for 20 minutes in any…
This year the holiday season crept on me way before I had a chance to summon up any holiday cheer. I was dangerously on the verge of being the only one who shows up to a meticulously planned holiday gathering shamefully and completely empty handed because I just “wasn’t…
Time goes by too quickly. The little orange furball that I adopted when I graduated from college is now entering his senior years, and I’ve needed to make adjustments to accommodate him. This past year, Chewy has had some major urinary problems, resulting in bladder surgery and costing me over…