Pet Product News - July 2017

USTOMER EDUCATION
INFORMED DECISIONS THROUGH LEARNING

Though customers are savvier these days, retailers and groomers said educating owners about natural grooming products remains important.

Some are uneducated and uninformed about the products available, and others are stumped by conflicting views about what is good or safe for their pet and what is not, industry insiders said.

“‘Natural’ has no actual legal definition, so manufacturers can call anything ‘all natural,’” said Nancy Chinchar, owner of Downtown Doghouse, which has two locations in New York.

She and other professionals said they take on the responsibility of
educating themselves to provide the best grooming services and to pass
that knowledge on to owners.

Many owners come in looking for solutions to problems, retailers and manufacturers said.

“When clients ask for a specific type of shampoo, we ask them what’s
going on with the dog that causes them to make that request,” Chinchar
said. “Sometimes, they’ve asked for the exact opposite of what would
help, or they think it will fix a problem that no shampoo can fix. It’s a great
opportunity to educate them on what will help their dog.”
Cameron Fang, manager of product development for Reliq in Dallas,
agreed, adding that “customers need to know the source causing pet odor
and skin issues and how and why the right shampoo can promote the
health of skin to avoid skin and odor issues.”
Shannon Moore, director of grooming and education for Espree Animal
Products in Grapevine, Texas, also encouraged retailers and pet salons to
“educate the consumer about the benefits of the ingredients and how they
offer a solution to make their pet feel better, whether it’s allergy/itch relief,
dry and damaged skin and coat, or arthritis and mobility issues.”
When customers at Miss Doolittle’s in Pottsville, Pa., ask owner
Missie Mattei for a service or a product to buy, she often finds herself
educating clients.

“I share what I’ve learned and know about what works and doesn’t in my experience,” she said. “It’s two-fold. I want them to know why I chose that particular service or shampoo for their dog, and I think it sets me apart as not ‘just a groomer,’ but I’m actually a professional who knows what I’m talking about.”

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WAHL CLIPPER CORP. has added two Power Grip clipper colors: coral punch and power pink. The U.S.-made professional two-speed clipper offers the PowerDrive performance system that provides optimal power and solid torque with minimal vibration and noise. The product includes the efficiency of Constant Speed Control; this built-in torque control automatically delivers more power and ease of use when clipping through mats and thick coats.