North Woods Animal Treats

From an article in Pet Business, the Feb. 10 issue, by Dan Headrick.

“Think about the treat and chew category: low price points, high margins, repeat business and great packaging that offers unique merchandising opportunities. And while the tighening grip of the recession may force many pet owners to buy less expensive food than they otherwise might, they can still buy high-quality, high-value treats without breaking the budget. Indeed, for many retail operators, treats and chews might merit a second look to determine weather the allocation of space ought to be increased…..
And then there is the love. Just as our beloved canine companions want to please, pet owners also want to give back. A quick pass along the treats, for many customers, is a satisfying cap to a long day at work when they come home to be greeted by their best friend…..
Treats and chews also demand less shelf space. That means a retailer can generate volume sales at levels few other product categories can and at the all-important repeat business frequency……
By thier very nature, treats and chews generate repeat business, don’t miss out. In addition to keep impulse buying at a healthy level, keep a selection on the counter.”

North Woods Animal Treats helps remind your customers with some great POS materials. We ship each new order with some powerful shelf talkers that draw attention to the fact that your store offers a great treat for their dog, and the customer will remember – “Don’t Forget Your Dog!”.

“It’s all about differentiation – anything that has a pop or a wow factor” said Dr. Greg Aldrich, a nutritionist who consults with and formulates pet food and treats for major manufacturers.

Specialty treats sell well because consumers continue to search out high quality, safe and healthful products that contain natural and human grade ingredients, according to a report issued by Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com.

The shaped North Woods treats take care of both these areas. They have a pop/wow factor and they are high quality, human grade safe ingredients.

David Lummis, Senior pet market analyst for Packaged Facts sayes, “While people are cutting back, treats are a little more of an affordable indulgence. You still want to pamper you pet with premium treats.“

From a new store owner:

“I received your nibbles yesterday…They were great!! I taste-tested them on my Maltese she adored them. Well i am going to see how they go at the store and I definitely would like to work with you again.“

– Kaitlin

According to a APPA 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey, “Roughly one half of all dog owners buy treats five times in 12 months, the remaining buy six or more times in 12 months”.

Shouldn’t you have some North Woods Animal Treats in your store for your customers?

"Fortunately for all of us, the dog treat category is keeping the registers ringing, even in a tough economy. The family pet is held in high regard in the American home, and is thus deserving of treats.

Of course, treats serve a variety of purposes other than a snack between meals. Treats can alleviate boredom, satisfy a dog's natural urge to chew, help to clean teeth, add nutrition to an existing diet, and can help ease anxiety. The indispensable role of dog treats makes them a staple."
- Debbie Claypool, in Pet Business, 2009 Retailer Handbook.

North Woods is the perfect addition, or start, to your store's treat line. Our shapes are fun, our ingredients are the absolute best, and dogs just love them! You will love them too, as they add to your bottom line.

From a store owner:

"We love the product and appreciate your quick service!"
- Tracey, Vermont Country Deli, Brattleboro, VT

From "The Pet Isle", June 2009 supplement to Pet Business Magazine.

While the pet business overall has seen increases of between 5 and 7% per year, and double-digit growth last year despite economic trends, Paul Cooke, vice president and director of trade and industry development for Nestle Purina Pt Care in St. Louis, MO., says, "This picture gets even better when you look at natural pet food sales, which are increasing at a double-digit rate in the natural channel. Overall grocery sales are up 4 to 5%, but natural and organic are up 14%." Natural and organic pet food sales have seen solid double-digit growth for several years.

Cooke says "over 2/3rds of domestic consumers own a pet, and the emotional connection to that pet drives their pet food purchases. They want their pet to be as healthy as the rest of the family."

Everyone seems to agree that the natural pet product market has a rosy future- good economy or bad. For humans and for pets, focusing on natural products just makes sense. "Food is the baseline of your health", Phil Brown, DVM, senior vice president of research and development for Nutri-Vet in Idaho, notes. "If you take better care of yourself, you are going to be healthier. And the same goes for your animals. You can pay now to feed healthy natural products, and you're not going to pay later for taking care of disease."

North Woods Animal Treats can help produce your double digit growth, while providing pets with the best available all natural ingredients!

-From Pet Business, Feb 2009

Many pet owners are willing to sacrifice luxuries during the tough economic climate in order to provide for the needs of their canine companions, according to a survey released by the American Kennel Club.

The AKC polled more than 1,000 people on its website, (www.akc.org) for a one week period from November to December asking participants questions about what they would give up or cut back on for their dogs.

The survey found that more than 96 percent of those polled would forgo gourmet coffee to save money for thier dogs’ expenses. Ninety-seven percent said they would give up massages or spa treatments in order to afford a veterinarian bill, and nearly 79 percent said they would cancel a teeth-whitening appointment so Fido could have his annual teeth cleaning.

The survey also found that 69 percent of the respondents said they would cut back on gifts for their friends or extended family before skimping on gifts for their dogs. Nearly 9 percent said they would scale back on gifts for their spouse before cutting back on gifts for their dogs.

81 percent of respondents said they purchase gifts for their dogs during the holidays. 69 percent spend up to $50.00; 24 percent spend $50.00 to $100.00; 3% percent spend more than $150.00. 59% percent expected to spend the same amount on gifts for their dogs as they did last year.

“What shoppers need is a new and powerful reason to purchase. And that reason isn’t discounts or sales, but innovative, new, impulse items that will delight and excite the customer.”

- Pam Danziger, author of “Shopping: Why we love it and how retailers can create the ultimate customer experience”.

North Woods Animal Treats fills this bill perfectly!
All the products are excellent quality, displayed in an upscale and unique way, and are consumable, i.e. the customer can buy them again and again!

“Catnip has made a big impression on the pet industry, and every store should stock lots of in in many different forms. Catnip is a tremendously important item in the pet industry, as it can be sold to cat customers for a variety of reasons. When catnip is combined with toys, (such as Nip n’ Toy), it creates an added interest for the cat.

For cats, the biggest benefit of play is exercise and the resulting fitness. The health benefits of exercise are more easily obtainable when catnip is used as a tool to help entice the sometimes less than active cat. Planned play periods can also have a huge affect on the human animal bond, strengthening the relationship between the two.

The catnip used with toys to encourage more interactive play with also help with curbing disruptive behaviors, such as pouncing, jumping and biting, as well as the scratching of furniture, drapery and walls. Catnip toys represent the most common use of the catnip product for consumers. Stock heavily on catnip toys- they all sell well.”

From Pet Business, September 08.

The Pet industry is expected to remain the fastest growing consumer retail sector after electronics, according to investment banking firm The Mercanti Group.

In a new report, Mercanti says that the driver within the industry’s steady, basic growth remains pet owners with high wages. That group is increasing spending on high end foods, treats and other items and services.

The new display header cards highlight the fact that the treats are all natural, gives the store a place to put the price of each cookie, has a silhouette of a dog, and also includes a phrase designed to help move the consumer to purchase some treats!

We have had great feedback on the new look! If you are a customer, have display crates, and would like new headers, please let us know, we will get them right out to you!

From American Pet Products Association

APPA forecast 4.9% growth in pet spending to $45.4 billion for 2009. “These numbers further demonstrate that people are more willing to sacrifice on themselves before trimming back on their four-legged friends”, said Bob Vetere, APPA president. “People want to reward their pets in human terms and even in this economy are still demanding the highest-quality products and services. The pet industry continues to grow at a record pace and has proven to remain strong during times of change, stress and setbacks”.

Be part of this growth by offering North Woods Animal Treats to your customers!