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Numbers GameChester A. Arthur is probably not high on most people’s lists of significant U.S. presidents (he served from 1881 to 1885), but for those who relish business data, he should be remembered ... Read more>> |
06-29-2009 |
Playing ChickenThis past spring I went back to my roots (no, I’m not referring to my hair color) and planted a plethora of vegetables and herbs in my yard—my tomato plants are so loaded, I’ll be making salsa for ... Read more>> |
06-22-2009 |
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06-15-2009 |
A Winning FormulaWhat’s the last thing you won? A chamber of commerce award? Local 5k run? Civic-leader certificate? Most improved (fill in sport here) player? Whatever it was, I’ll bet it made you feel great ... Read more>> |
06-08-2009 |
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06-01-2009 |
Coupon CompulsionDoes your store accept manufacturers’ coupons? Do you offer store coupons? If not, you should consider doing so…and here is why. According to a recent poll conducted on our ... Read more>> |
05-26-2009 |
Turning a Corner
Been shopping lately? I don’t mean for the basics (food, necessary sundries and essential clothing), but “serious” shopping for fun things. Me either. And, according to the National Retail ... Read more>> |
05-18-2009 |
Print Rules!As a long-time magazine editor, I pay close attention to advertising in any print variety—magazines, newspapers, journals, etc. It’s a “hazard” of the trade; I want to know what’s out there and ... Read more>> |
05-11-2009 |
The Survey Says ...As many of you may well be aware, this past February we sent out questionnaires for our annual State of the Industry report. Between February 9 and March 24, nearly 400 independent ... Read more>> |
05-04-2009 |
Team BuildingAs with most things, magazines—print and electronic—don’t produce themselves. It takes a team of highly skilled and dedicated individuals to create Pet Product News International and ... Read more>> |
04-10-2009 |
Impulse PowerPeople, in general, are impulsive by nature; what varies among individuals is how often and to what degree. There are those who almost always think things through, rarely making ... Read more>> |
03-19-2009 |
Up Close and PersonalBefore I begin my weekly ruminations on various topics related (or tangentially connected) to the pet-product industry, I think it only fair that you, my readers, know who I am, where I came from ... Read more>> |
01-21-2009 |
Memories Made in the Pet IndustryThis is my final week at Pet Product News International and Pet Style News. With my “retirement” from BowTie Inc., I hope to volunteer with our local no-kill shelter and capture some freelance ... Read more>> |
12-11-2008 |
Puppies for Christmas?I have no problems with pet stores selling dogs, especially if they do it responsibly by knowing their breeders well. I think most retailers are smart about not selling puppies at Christmas just ... Read more>> |
12-09-2008 |
A Sad WeekendI lost my best canine pal this weekend to lymphoma. Belle, our 11 ½-year-old black Lab, couldn’t walk at all when she woke up on Friday morning. My husband spent an hour helping her get ... Read more>> |
11-25-2008 |
Layaway, Anyone? My good friend, Marilyn Iturri, editor of our sister publication Veterinary Practice News, and I were discussing the interesting ad recently from K-Mart regarding its layaway program. I always ... Read more>> |
11-14-2008 |
Losing a Best FriendI took Belle, my black Lab, to the vet’s office last week. I had intended to go out of town for a few days, and she had developed terrible swollen glands in her neck region. I was taken aback when the ... Read more>> |
11-05-2008 |
Crufts Dog Show in England In our November issue, David Alderton, our U.K. freelance writer, discussed a BBC broadcast that shook up The Kennel Club, regarding allegations concerning Crufts standards. Claims ... Read more>> |
10-31-2008 |
Credit CrunchThis month we’ve all been on a roller coaster of changes—the rise and fall (mostly fall) of the stock market, the mainstream media outlets talking about frozen credit, rising interest rates and an ... Read more>> |
10-24-2008 |
H.H. Backer Christmas Show Chicago was the scene for the annual H.H. Backer show Oct. 3-5. It was a very mild weekend, weather-wise, making it perfect for buyers to make their way to the Rosemont Convention Center. Read more>> |
10-08-2008 |
Where Past and Present CollideIt’s always very daunting going to a high school reunion that you haven’t been to in years—and wondering what you will have in common with these people after the reminiscing ... Read more>> |
10-03-2008 |
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09-25-2008 |
SuperZoo and More ...I thought SuperZoo was a good show—lots going on for retailers to take in. My understanding is that the number of exhibitors (600) and the overall attendance (about 8,000) were both down ... Read more>> |
09-24-2008 |
Cardinal Turns 60 Two years ago, Pet Product News International celebrated 6o years in the pet industry. Throughout the year we focused on other retailers, manufacturers and distributors that were among ... Read more>> |
08-29-2008 |
Pet Fashion WeekNext week is Pet Fashion Week in N.Y. (August 23-24). Although the economy is slow at this time, I look forward to seeing what the manufacturers have in store for retailers for the ... Read more>> |
08-12-2008 |
Crime in the Retail Store Organized retail crime has become a huge problem in our society. In our September issue we cover the bill that was introduced to Congress in mid-July to make retail crime a federal ... Read more>> |
08-01-2008 |
Responsible FishkeepingAs editor of Pet Product News International, I feel there are specific issues in our industry where we must take a stand. Releasing certain fish into the wild is one of them. David Lass, one of ... Read more>> |
07-16-2008 |
Positive Update to Iowa Flooding Wendy Bedwell-Wilson, one of writers, sent this July 1 note from Jan Woo, owner of Barkaroo Bakery in Kapaa, Hawaii, who has relatives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa: I just got off the phone with the ... Read more>> |
07-07-2008 |
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06-18-2008 |
Is the Economy Affecting Pet Stores? 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 ... Read more>> |
06-11-2008 |
Going GreenI’ve been pleased to hear from the companies—both manufacturers and retailers—that are doing what they can to be more environmentally friendly. I just got this e-mail today from Natural Source ... Read more>> |
05-28-2008 |
Banter on the Baltimore Backer ShowEveryone looked forward to the spring H.H. Backer show moving from seedy Atlantic City, N.J., to Baltimore, Md. The show took place this past weekend, May 16-19. When my fellow BowTie ... Read more>> |
05-20-2008 |
Love of Animals Never CeasesI am always amazed about the lengths people in our industry will go for the good of animals. I just got this note from Susie Atherton, owner of Canine Creek Dog Wash and Boutique and one of our ... Read more>> |
05-13-2008 |
Do Dogs Get All the Attention?A freelance writer for a Canadian newspaper called last week to interview me regarding cats and dogs. She had read the recent study done by the AVMA regarding cats not getting as much ... Read more>> |
05-06-2008 |
Building Your WebsiteForester Research Inc. recently completed its Shop.org study on the State of Retailing Online 2008. The results of the study concluded that by 2012, the online retails sales growth of pet supplies ... Read more>> |
04-29-2008 |
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04-25-2008 |