Amy’s Royal Treatment
Saddlebrook, N.J.
Amy Peraino, Owner

How’s business going?

It’s very good; we’re busier than ever. The summer is the best it’s been in years. I think people don’t have any money for vacation, so they’re spending money on their pets. We’re a whole boutique. We carry organic and holistic products, treats, things like that. We’re a full grooming salon and boutique.

Any trends in your business? What’s selling well?

Actually, holistic products are doing really well right now. We’ve switched away from carrying the big store brands with additives in them. We carry all-natural treats, products, things like that. We’ve been making the change slowly over the years, but now we don’t have anything that has any additives at all. We started carrying Wysong originally, but I don’t think it’s one of the better ones anymore.

We carry quite a few brands of raw, such as Nature’s Variety, Majestic and others. They’re doing very well right now. I would say these products are our top sellers.

Anything new?

We made the move to all-natural products. We’re also having a pet care seminar, a holistic pet care seminar; it’s going to be the last Sunday of the month I believe. We’re going to have a guy in who does these seminars, we’re going to have food; it will be a first for us.  –EM

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Dog Patch Pet & Feed
Naperville, Ill.
Greg Gordon, manager

How’s business?

It’s busy today. It’s really schizophrenic. June was really good and July’s not looking as good. It’s really up and down.

The difficulty we’re having is that we’re comparing last year and this year, and last year was not a very good year just because of the economy. We’re struggling to figure it all out.

What’s new?

Mostly what’s new is we’re still immersed in pond season, so we have a fair amount of activity in the pond section. The dog food is still kind of leading the train here. We’re selling lots and lots of dog food.

What is your best-selling livestock?

Probably the puppies; Yorkies are really popular right now.  –KI

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Critters Pet Store
Rio Rancho, N.M. (A 2,400-square-foot independent store in a small strip center less than 5 miles away from a Petco and Petsmart.)
Crystal Miller, owner

How is business going?

Business is really bad. June and July this year were lowest gross sales since 2004. Foot traffic is even down this summer. Historically, summer is slow and sales pick up after school starts again (less than two weeks from now). I’m hoping that is going to be true this year or I may have to close down.

What keeps you going?

We are the larger of two stores that still sell puppies [small breeds] in a 100+ mile radius. But the city is now considering ordinance changes that may put a stop to that.

What product categories are most popular with your customers?

The only things that are really selling now are the necessities: food, bedding, heat bulbs and replacement collars and leads.

Are there any particular brands that sell best?

I’m not sure brand is that important to my customers, but price sure is. Whatever brand is cheapest sells best.

Do you sell any other live animals besides puppies?

We sell kittens, ferrets, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, common reptiles, small birds, hamsters and gerbils, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Any special promotions, new merchandising tactics or sales strategies you’re currently employing?

We have a special promotion sponsored by Quality Pets, my supplies distributor: Get a free hamster with purchase of cage, bedding, food, treat. They replace the hamster for free when I send back the “coupon” I earned by purchasing the cage, etc. The idea is the hamster will generate repeat sales of food and bedding. The “free hamster” sign on the front of the store has generated increased traffic, if nothing else.  --JMB