It was great to see so many of you at the Global Pet Expo last month! While the show was noticeably smaller, it was very productive, and I felt like many key decision makers were all assembled with an agenda as opposed to the music-festival feel of pre-pandemic years.
For those of you who didn’t attend, please reach out to your Regional Sales Manager for current Earth Animal updates and new product introductions, including our Made with the Power of Plants line that consists of No Meat No-Hide Chews and 100% Plant-Based Biscuits in both beef and salmon flavors, as well as our new WISDOM Chesapeake Bay Catfish formula. I’m proud to report it’s our most sustainable recipe, yet.
G.A.M.E. O.N.
I am pleased to report that IndiePet rolled out their 2022 G.A.M.E. O.N. strategic plan last month at Global Pet Expo. The plan has six areas of concentration: growing people, advocating channel integrity, networking, operating effectively, extending the in-store experience, and marketing and awareness. As a board member, I can speak directly to the excitement and optimism we all share for the future. The plan is integrated, comprehensive, and points us to success in what is an ever-growing industry.
With this plan in place, it is the perfect time for you to consider joining the IndiePet Trade Association. At the very least it is a great opportunity for you to network with some of the best retailers in the country and the manufacturers that support them. Please reach out to the group’s ED, Todd Dittman ([email protected] ) or reach out to me directly at [email protected] for more information about what it’s like being a part of this world-class organization.
Be In The Know
A recent internal survey from Finn Cady confirms the need for better channel awareness as participants indicated that big-box stores were leaders in product knowledge and quality. Earth Animal believes that this expertise and quality is not only unique to large stores, but independent retailers, as well. The truth is that many of our independent and neighborhood pet stores’ employees are both product and industry knowledge leaders.
We see this expertise come through every day at our own flagship store in Westport, CT. Our store also helps in framing what today’s customers are asking and what they are expecting from their indie pet store.
These learnings, in conjunction with surveys of our Earth Animal Retailers, have been integral in supporting the development of our retailer education website, Earth Animal Academy.
This online learning platform combines “science with smarts” and allows you to learn as you wish. You can read, watch a myriad of helpful product videos, and/or download PDFs to print. Simply dive in and begin learning. Questions? Email Tasha Valentin-Jucius, our Educational Experience Specialist, or talk to your Regional Sales Manager
Best,
Chris Moore
Chief Customer Officer
