Challenges for New and Established Pet Store Owners Coming out of the Pandemic are Real
It’s not news that the last year has been (and continues to be) a challenging time for pretty much everyone. Pet store owners had a unique set of obstacles: Creating a safe store experience for customers and their employees, competing with big-box retailers as customers consolidated shopping trips, and gaining inroads with new pet parents who were part of the adoption boom.
More so than ever, it was a struggle to keep the doors open and continues to be a challenge as the recovery continues. Here at SPINS we speak to retailers like you every day and understand that you want to know what’s happening in your store, in the market, and in the future—all without sacrificing your data confidentiality.
Here are 5 challenges pet store owners have told us they’re facing today and how SPINS is ready to help you tackle them:
Challenge #1
Understanding which products are resonating with shoppers and identifying potential buyer drivers.
Solution: New Pet Attributes
SPINS is excited to add enhancements to our Pet Attributes library on May 31. Attributes let retailers go beyond label claims and understand what qualities are within a product so they can accurately track their performance and spot emerging and declining trends. This update will bring:
- 8 new wellness ingredients and 4 new meat protein/quality ingredients
- New popular ingredients in Treats and Foods
- Attributes that focus on joint, skin & coat health
- Stalwart product differentiators in pet food & treats
- Ingredients that are commonly avoided or sought depending on the attribute and shopper preference
Challenge #2
Planning for the future when you’re not sure what to expect after an unusual year.
Solution: Post-COVID Trends Report
After more than a year of pandemic lockdowns and altered daily routines, some normal behavior is returning little by little. Pet retailers are trying to understand what COVID shopping behavior was a fluke, what is here to stay, and what the future holds. SPINS will be releasing a trends report that looks at data from the last 12 months and helps you begin to put those findings into action. Keep an eye out for more updates as the release date nears.
Challenge #3
Understanding which innovative products make sense for your customers.
Solution: Expert Walk-through at SuperZoo
We’re excited to (safely) be face-to-face with everyone at SuperZoo, the pet industry’s biggest trade show in Las Vegas from August 17-19. Attendees get to see the latest, greatest, and upcoming products to hit the market, making the show a front-row seat to innovation. We want to help you make the most of your time at the show: You can book time with a SPINS expert to walk the expo floor to get our take on what trends are hot, which ones to keep your eyes on, and what makes sense for your business. Contact us if you’d like to schedule time to meet during the expo!
Challenge #4
Differentiating yourself with benchmarks and data-based findings
Solution: Comprehensive, easily accessible data
SPINS data solutions bring a comprehensive view of the market, product categories, and today’s shopping trends. With our data, you can:
- Differentiate yourself with the latest product innovations
- Identify shopper trends through SPINS’ unique pet-specific product attributions
- Benchmark performance to understand how your store is performing against the competition
That’s why SPINS recently became the official data provider for the Independent & Neighborhood Pet Retail Association (IndiePet). The IndiePet Association works to strengthen the approximately 8,000 independent and neighborhood pet retail locations serving pets and pet parents across North America.