Pet Product News - March 2017

Still, price point is important to all customers, especially when it comes to toys, retailers stated.

“Pricing is extremely important where we are,” Taylor said. “About 80 percent of our customers are retirees … so we’ve got to be really cautious about pricing. We try to keep [toy price points] under $10.”

SUMMER LOVING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 88

CLEAN UP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 88

NEW PRODUCTS
OLD FAVORITES AND NEW JOYS

When it comes to summer toys and accessories for pets, it’s a good time to be a retailer. Offerings for summertime include everything from new summer-themed toys and activity-promoting waterers to pool floats for dogs.

Pet Palette is prepared for the season
with new styles and colors for its Lulu-
belles line of Power Plush toys, said Robin
Kershner, executive vice president of the
Sykesville, Md.-based company.

“The pet toy category is ever evolving
and more competitive,” she said. “Retail-
ers can choose from an amazing array of
products in the market.”
As people start heading for the sea-
side, many pet owners seek colorful pet
toys to tuck into their beach bags.

“We see the beach and shore toys
start selling faster, and the brighter
colors,” Kershner added.

Consumers are also seeking durability when in the market for summer toys and gear.

“Customers are looking for something that lasts longer than five minutes,” said Lynn Klimp, owner of Island Dog in St. Simons Island, Ga. “Even with smaller dogs, that’s [customers’] biggest complaint.

The goDog [line] has become my biggest
seller; goDog Dragons are huge sellers.”
Floating toys are linked with summer
fun for dogs, and tough outdoor-centric
lines do well for retailers.

“I really do like West Paw’s line of
toys … mainly because they all float,
which is definitely always great for sum-
mer,” said David Bovard, owner of Pioneer
Pet Feed & Supply in Seattle. “I love
the idea that everything is so uniquely
shaped and that dogs of all sizes can play
with them.”
For pooches that will be spending
time in the pool, ocean or lake, there are
dog floats available from Rolf C. Hagen,
Frontgate and GoodLife Designs.

“I have three [dog floats] in
my shop right now,” Klimp said.
“People love them if they have
small dogs.”
It’s important to carry products that
are good for indoor play as well, as some-
times getting out of the heat is critical,
said Howard Feldman, owner of California
Pet Center in Woodland Hills, Calif.

N THE MARKET
INNOVATIVE
INTRODUCTIONS IN STAIN
AND ODOR CONTROL

Christina Twomey, director of training and national salesperson with SynergyLabs in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., said that later this year, the company plans to release its Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Advanced Canine Stain & Odor-Bag on Valve Technology.

“This unique packaging allows for
a sterile environment in the bottle,
without the need for preservatives,”
Twomey said. “The can is pressurized
to 600 PSI so the consumer gets a
strong stream of product to the stain,
which will penetrate deep into the
carpet, padding and the ground floor
to ensure all of the stain and odor is
covered with the product.”
The company is launching the
same product for cat stains and odors.

It’s also introducing Veterinary Formula Clinical Care 99.9% Antiviral & Antibacterial Cleaner, also with the bag-on-valve technology, which will kill dangerous strains such as parvo, avian influenza, salmonella and more, Twomey said.

“This is great for use indoors or outdoors—home, kennel, dog runs, stables and more,” Twomey said.

Heather Blum, co-owner of Petagogy in Pittsburgh, said that her store has begun to carry the Pee-B-Gone natural enzyme cleaner.

Also with a focus on natural cleaners, Furry Face in Redlands, Calif., now carries Relief Pet Urine and Eco Cleaner by Farm Dog Naturals, said owner Lorin Grow.