Is the Economy Affecting Pet Stores?

By Carol Boker

Editor in Chief of Pet Product News International and Pet Style News

Just the other day I heard that Precious Pets in Norcross, Ga., one of our Retailers of the Year for community service, was closing its doors in August. Gayle and Candy, the owners, are lovely people who have tried to do all the right things for their business and their community. The slow economy and gas prices were part of the reason, along with some other personal issues.

On the same day, I got a note from Ric & Joan Hutchens who are 37-year veterans of the pet industry and former owners of Pet Owners Warehouse in Port Charlotte, Fla. The Hutchens have just opened Whole Earth Pet Supply in The Villages, Fla., a 1600-square-foot store specializing in holistic pet foods and supplies for dogs and cats.

I know these are tough times for everyone, and I hope most of you will be able to continue to keep up, or even start up, your businesses. We will try to do our part to give you tips and ideas to help you cut costs where you can.

I’d love to hear from other pet stores out there to find out how things are going for you. Please blog back if you want to share any stories or ideas.

« All Editorial Blogs

 Give us your opinion on
Is the Economy Affecting Pet Stores?

Industry Professional Site: Comments from non-industry professionals will be removed.

Hello Carol My name is Mark Dimatteo from Michigan. Probably one of the hardest hit states with what is going on with the economy. As you know we are an automotive state, My wife and I are automotive engineers, however my wife has been layed off for sometime now. Beyond the doom and gloom we have been looking for a business outside of automotive to get into that we both could enjoy. I have been working in Canada for quite sometime now and discovered a pet supply store that would be very unique to Michigan sort of a cross between Starbucks and Whole Foods feel and we are very excited to bring the shopping experience to Michigan. We have researched foods, and quality gear for our store. We attended the Backer show in Baltimore. We have researchecd areas to open a store in Michigan, however I find we are stuck to make a decision on where to open. Do you have some advice or can you recommend pet industry consultants to help us with this last push. We have already been approved for financing, developed our product line up to sell etc. its just confirming the location is the stumbling block. Mark Dimatteo, Lake Orion, MI Posted: 7/19/2008 2:30:36 PM