Pet owners are increasingly shopping at the “big box” stores for their pet supplies these days.  Part of the reason is convenience, but major discount retailers like K-Mart, Wal-Mart and Target are also part of the trend.  These major chain stores have begun devoting more space on their shelves to pet products and pet food because they’ve discovered how lucrative the pet industry can be.

Can you successfully compete with the chain stores?  Certainly!  If you take the time to really learn about your customers and find the right niche for your pet business.  You probably won’t be able to compete with the larger chains on price (volume buying discounts give them the price advantage), so you determine what you can offer that they can’t.

The strength of a small business catering to pets and their owners usually lies in tailoring your business to a particular market or offering service’s the chain stores don’t.  Take a look at your pet business model and look for some of these guaranteed success generators:

·        Outstanding Customer Service.  Is your staff thoroughly versed in the advantages of your product line? Can they answer customer questions intelligently and give pet owners suggestions on which product is best for their pet?  Do you answer every email quickly and always have someone available to cope with potential problems?  What about the ease of navigating your website and placing an order? 

·        Convenience.  If you have home delivery or pet food and other pet products or pick-up and drop-off for your pet grooming services, you’re giving customers convenience they won’t find at a chain store.  Find ways to make buying pet supplies from you preferable to driving to a big box store by making it easy, seamless and convenient.  Saving time is just as important to most customers as saving money.

·        Reliability.  Keep your shelves stocked with your customers’ favorite pet supplies at all times.  Many large retail chains are hit-or-miss in this area.  They restock shelves on a pre-set schedule, and if they run out of something early, the customer is out of luck.  Reliability also means keeping your promises and guaranteeing satisfaction. 

·        Unique Products and Services.  Pay attention to what your customers really want.  All chain stores tend to carry the same or very similar pet care products – they are appealing to the masses.  Make your pet business stand out by offering what they can’t.  If you have upscale customers, carry designer dog clothing, pet collars and other products that customers will have trouble finding elsewhere.  Is there a sizeable group of customers who are looking for eco-friendly pet toys and dog beds?  Make sure you’re the best possible source for green pet products!

By making your business the “go to” place for customers who have specific pet care needs, you can compete against the mega-stores and win.

Do You Have a Great Pet Product Idea?

PetSmart and Edison Nation have teamed up to discover the next big thing for pets, and they’re inviting everyone who’s ever had a great idea to participate.  If you’ve come up with an innovative toy or other product that you know dogs and cats would go nuts for, this is your chance to move it from vision to reality.

Edison Nation is a product search coordinator always on the look-out for unique designs and clever ideas that will make our lives easier.  Working with PetSmart, they are hosting a nationwide search for new concepts that are in some way connected to pets.  If you’ve created something your dog or cat loves, now is the time to share your dream.

The first prize in the contest, which runs through July 9^th, 2009, is an upfront payment of at least $2,500 plus a percentage of the profits earned once your idea goes into production.  The profits will be yours for twenty years, so there’s the potential for some significant income if you come up with the winning entry.

PetSmart and Edison Nation are particularly interested in new toy or interactive play concepts that will keep pets entertained and challenge them mentally.  Because pets can suffer from a variety of problems when bored, from separation anxiety when you leave to excessive chewing and aggression, it’s important for pets to have stimulating, challenging toys and activities.  This year’s contest is looking for solutions to pet boredom.

If you have an idea that would improve the lives of your own pets and those of other pet owners, take the time to visit the contest website at http://www.edisonnation.com/petsmart and submit your concept for a chance to win.  This time next year, you could have your product on shelves in PetSmart stores across the country.  Wouldn’t Fido and Fluffy be proud?

In the last year, stocks have fluctuated wildly, major corporations have laid off thousands of employees, banks have faltered and failed….and pet owners have continued to purchase gourmet pet foods and a slew of other pet products for their furry family members.  It seems that even a recession doesn’t slow down sales for retailers specializing in pet foods, pet toys and even designer label pet clothing.

Record Breaking Pet Product Sales Predicted for 2009

In fact, the American Pet Products Association (APPA) estimates that sales of pet products will actually increase in 2009 by over $2 billion.  Yes, you read that right!  Americans spent over $43 billion on their pets last year alone, proving that pampering our pets is a favorite pastime.  In rough economic times, the comfort of having an adoring dog snuggling up in your lap seems to be worth the cost of a few extra treats or a designer dog bed.  After all, unconditional love is priceless, and our pets give us their affection unreservedly.

Bob Vetere, the president of APPA, recently confirmed, “People are cutting back on a lot of areas, but are not cutting back on their pets.  They are postponing those vacations or downgrading their cars just to make sure that Fido and Fluffy are well taken care of.”

Baby Boomers Spoil Their Pets

Most baby boomers have sent their children off to college or homes of their own, and the empty nest syndrome is turning pets into surrogate children for many boomer couples.  While they wait the arrival of grandchildren to spoil, pampering their pets is filling a void.  To that end, many pet product retailers and manufacturers are now targeting this rich market.  These are the couples who can afford to lavish their pets with gourmet treats and give them upscale chew toys and bedding. 

Targeting the right customers during a recession is crucial to maintaining a strong sales record, and Furry Friends Web Design is here to help.  We keep our paws on the pulse of the pet products and pet services industries and can tailor your company’s website and advertising for the greatest possible impact on potential buyers.  If you’re ready to get a bigger piece of the pet industry’s $45.5 billion pie in 2009, contact us for a free consultation.

There are thousands of Staten Island dog groomers out there serving Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Manhattan - but, we’re 100% confident that there are none quite like Tracey Madden, owner of Tracey’s Pampered Pups.

The very first thing we noticed about Tracey was her friendly, outgoing personality and her immense love for dogs.  She’s the type of groomer who genuinely falls in love with any four-footed client she comes in contact with and can’t help but to treat each of her clients as if they were part of her own furry family.  As a professional Staten Island pet stylist, her passion lies in making each of her clients a work of art on the outside (because they’re already a work of art on the inside, of course!).

Everyone here at the FFWD firm have been so impressed with Tracey, both as a person as well as a groomer, that some members of our staff have actually even contemplated making the six hour drive from Pittsburgh to Staten Island just to have their furry kids groomed at Tracey’s Pampered Pups!  We’re not joking either!

Because Tracey has been absolutely tremendous to work with, making her project a true pleasure for us, and because she’s just so kind-hearted, genuine, and sweet - we are beyond proud to announce Tracey’s Pampered Pups as Furry Friends Web Design’s CLIENT OF THE MONTH  for May 2009.

Services Provided to Tracey’s Pampered Pups:

* Marketing & Branding Consulting

* Custom Logo Design

* Corporate Identity Package Design

* Custom Print Marketing Design (Vehicle Signage)

* Pet Web Design & Development

* Professional Pet Industry Copywriting

* Search Engine Optimization

 What did Tracey have to say about her experience with working with our firm?

“I couldn’t be any happier with FFWD. Everyone I worked with was amazing and I am thrilled with all of the designs that were created for my business. I would recommend you without any reservations and in fact, would consider anyone starting a pet business, foolish if they didn’t use your services. Thank you to Kera (Project Manager) - You were so patient with me and understanding. You explained everything to me in detail and never laughed at my lack of knowledge. You helped me every step of the way and I so appreciate that. FFWD is an incredible company with extraordinary people and I wish you all the success in the world! That translates to “don’t change a thing - you guys are awesome!!!!!”

Thank you, Tracey, and CONGRATULATIONS!