Pet Product News - May 2017

product. Growing up in the industry, I’ve gained vast knowledge as to how it works and what drives demand for our products. And while I never went to art school, I’ve had extensive training in different art techniques, from sketching to watercolor to oil painting. This education helped open my creative side and also gave me the skills to translate my ideas onto paper, and ultimately, in a toy.

PPN: You’ve expanded into categories beyond toys over the years, now offering products such as leashes, poop pick-up bags and more. Tell us about that evolution.

JC: The plush toy business will always be my priority and innovation, but we have branched into other categories in pet products as well, such as leashes, pick-up bags, outdoor gear and some exciting new categories in the near future. I believe it’s important to push myself to improve and modernize existing pet products for modern dog owners. I’ve been lucky to have manufacturing resources that can bring my ideas and visions to life.

PPN: What consumer trends do you
see really driving innovation and retail
sales these days?

JC: Technology is definitely changing the landscape of the pet industry today. GPS trackers, in-home cameras and dog walking apps are just a few examples of how companies are making dog ownership accessible for millennials. In the plush toy category, consumers are gravitating toward high-quality toys for their precious fur babies. Toys are no longer luxuries, but necessities. There is a constant growing demand for durable toys, which we’re fulfilling with our tough Z-Stitch collection. There is also a demand for both larger and smaller toys for a variety of dogs. Following these trends, ZippyPaws is committed to creating toys that modern dog owners can relate to.

PPN: How do you see your business
growing in the future? Are there other
product categories that you hope to
expand into?

JC: My vision for ZippyPaws
is for it to become the driving
innovator in the plush dog
toy market, creating products
that are eye-catching, trendy,
long-lasting, and, most of
all, bring joy into the lives of
dogs and their owners. We
really care about our products
and our team members, and
it shows in our products and
how we treat our customers. I
can see ZippyPaws becoming a
brand that people trust because
of what we do and what we
represent. We are expanding
into high-end leather collars
and leashes later in the year,
and we’re hoping to expand our
outdoor adventure gear in the
near future.
PPN: Is there a mission statement or vision
that guides the company and its actions?
JC: ZippyPaws’ mission is to
create beautifully designed,
high-quality pet products for
the modern dog and dog owner.
We stay true to what we do best:
hand-drawing awesome toys and
providing personalized service
for our customers. Our unwav-
ering commitment to our brand
means we’ll never compromise
on quality.
PPN: What do you foresee for the future
of the pet industry in general?
JC: I am very excited for the future
of the pet industry because I can
see the innovation and commit-
ment to treating dogs as family
in the companies that are driving
this industry. It’s a great indus-
try to be in because of the growth
in dog ownership. The in;ux in
new companies will create a
healthy market and variety of of-
ferings for consumers.

IT’S A REAL

GAME CHANGER

The 2017-2018 APPA National Pet Owners Survey

• Learn about the current pet population, pet owner demographics and
their purchasing habits
• Pinpoint preferences on specific pet products and services
• Discover which retail outlets are the most favored and why
• Assess long-term and emerging trends, and identify market opportunities
• Study Internet usage and online shopping activity
• Determine new product launches and expand your current product lines
• Identify personality profiles of pet owners, including lifestyle, leisure
and media preferences that directly affect the purchase of pet products
• Learn about the emotional connection people have with their pets
• Develop your marketing strategy

APPA National Pet Owners Survey— Trusted. Objective. Actionable.

TRUSTED PET INDUSTRY DATA FOR SMART BUSINESS DECISIONS

“The APPA National Pet Owners Survey is a priceless tool. It gives us the information we need to tailor sales presentations, target customers and develop new products.”