Pages 5, 6, 56 & 58
Scenes from the Show Floor
Pages 8, 44-53
Industry News & New Products
Page 10
Q&A: PIDA’s Steve King
Page 20
APPA’s Young
Professionals Network
Page 22
New PIJAC Chair,
Laura J. “Peach” Reid
Page 24
Legislative Update from PIJAC
Page 26
Getting the Best from Your Staff
Page 32
Feng Shui for Your Pet Store
Page 34
Make Every Connection Count
Page 38
Dining in Orlando
NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM THE GLOBAL PET EXPO FLOOR AND CONFERENCE SEMINARS ORLANDO, FLORIDA THURSDAY MARCH 17, 2016
SHOW DAILY
What do consumers expect from the pet care category? That was the question everyone was asking while walking and talking in the aisles during the first day of this year’s record-setting Global Pet Expo. Retailers and suppliers
are eager to discover and discuss new products that will help keep the
momentum going for the booming pet industry.
Now more than ever, say industry officials, fine-tuning the assortment
at retail is the key to keeping things moving in the right direction—
whether for a small, one-store operation or the largest of supermarkets or
mass merchandisers. And, as unemployment levels fall to rates not seen in
nearly two decades and gas prices stay firmly below $2 a gallon in much of
the country, these same experts say that the opportunity exists for retailers to cash in on consumers with more discretionary income and a greater
desire to take good care of their pets.
“There is always an opportunity for growth,” says Leslie Yellin, executive vice president of Multipet International, the Moonachie, N.J.-based
manufacturer of pet toys, which has recently made a lot of noise in the
industry with some key acquisitions. “The key is to have the best of the
best on store shelves and combine that with great pricing that will lead to
great values for the shopper. Consumers know what they want and they
Only the Best Will Do
THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN THE PET INDUSTRY
2DAY
*Clinically proven to reduce tension and conflict between cats. Data on file. Feliway and Adaptil are registered trademarks of Ceva Santé Animale S. A. Comfort Zone and Comfort Zone with design are registered trademarks of Farnam Companies, Inc. © 2015 Farnam Companies, Inc. 15-10466
As more discretionary dollars make their way into consumers’ pocketbooks, retailers
have an opportunity to continue growing the pet care category by offering the right mix
of innovative and healthy products.
BY SETH MENDELSON
Nestlé Purina’s Paul Cooke introduces updated, easy-to-read packaging and new natural options in the
company’s popular Dog Chow and Puppy Chow lines.
continued on page 54
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