BUSINESS - Singer Miranda Lambert Creates Pet Product Line

MuttNation™ Fueled by Miranda Lambert collection of pet products from Petmate® is now available at pet specialty and online retailers.

Miranda Lambert

The country music sensation has joined other stars, like Ellen DeGeneres, in the pet product industry.

Lambert is no stranger to the dog adoption cause with her MuttNation FoundationTM that she founded with her mom Bev in 2009, and sales of her pet products will help fund the Foundation’s rescue and adoption programs.

"I am really excited to see all our hard work and great product now available, I hope y'all love it as much as we do. I know my dogs do!" Lambert said in a release.

"I really hope that we can raise awareness to the joy of adopting a shelter pet through our MuttNation product line."

The collection features a country chic feel with a rock & roll flair, vintage prints and antique hardware that are all inspirations of Lambert's signature style.

The product line, which includes bedding, collars, leashes, toys, apparel, accessories, feeding and watering products, is highlighted by the Rescue Mutts collection of six plush dogs.  Each Rescue Mutt is based on a real-life rescue dog with its own story.

Lambert’s collection is likely to ride the pet industry wave - a pattern of year after year growth despite any economic uncertainty - and benefit many homeless dogs.

MuttNationTM provides aid to animals across the US through efforts such as:

• Spay and neuter campaigns
• Medical treatments
• Adoption events, pet transportation, and pet ownership education
• Mill rescues
• Legislative changes
• Service dog training and placement
• Food and supplies for animal shelters.

BUSINESS - Ellen DeGeneres Launches Pet Product Line

(Business Wire)

With pet industry spending coming in at a record $60.28 billion in the United States last year, it’s not surprising that Ellen DeGeneres - a pet lover and design icon - is entering the market.

Partnering exclusively with PetSmart, the ED pet lifestyle line will include pet apparel, beds, bowls, collars, leashes, harnesses, toys and pet carriers, as well as shampoo and other at-home grooming supplies.

“We are thrilled about this collaboration with the ED brand and Ellen, who shares our view that pets make us better people. She is passionate about pets, a tremendously creative design talent and people relate to her and love Ellen’s view on life. She is extremely relevant, especially among millennials, an important demographic that is moving into pet parenthood at a significant rate,” said Ted Passig, EVP of Buying and Sourcing for PetSmart.

The collection is expected in all 1,450 stores early next year with seasonal updates.

When announcing the record pet industry spending numbers, Bob Vetere, president and CEO of the American Pet Products Association (APPA), stated, “The pet humanization trend is alive and well and continues to drive growth at the premium end of the market. As millennials prepare to take the reins from the baby boomer generation as the primary demographic of pet owners, they stand to further develop this trend.”

Ellen’s foray into the pet industry seems to support Vetere’s prediction of continued growth and development.

Global Pet Expo 2016: New Records, New Products, New Trends

Global Pet Expo 2016 saw more attendees than ever before along with a record-setting number of new product launches.

They experienced an increase in domestic buyers at 4,679, 8.4% more than last year, with a total of 6,170 buyers in attendance. The show also boasted more than 3,000 new pet product launches, 1,087 exhibitors and 3,218 booths sold. Total show attendance came to 15,478 people.

With more than 3,000 new products being introduced at Global Pet Expo, it’s a great place to identify industry trends.

Knoxville, Tennessee-based PetSafe brand, maker of pet behavioral, containment and lifestyle product solutions, unveiled 14 new products. Several were the high-tech variety including the Flitter and Whimsy automatic teaser toys both of which have ‘Play while you are away’ modes, the Automatic Ball Launcher and ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Litter Box.

All great examples of one of the industry trends identified by petbusiness.com - high-tech is in high demand.

Petbusiness.com identified five key trends based on their observations at the event.

A fresh approach to packaging. Much of the new packaging was clearly inspired by what can be found in human consumer products.

Topping off a healthy diet. Pet food toppers were in full force at Global Pet Expo 2016.

Promoting healthier digestion. There was a plethora of products that utilize prebiotics and probiotics to foster healthy digestion in pets.

Scaling down is going up. Many pet product manufacturers introduced items designed specifically for small-breed dogs, as well as smaller bag options for their established diets.

High-tech is in high demand. With electronic gadgets taking over human lives, it’s not surprising there are more gadgets, apps and high tech toys for pets.

Interested in new products? Global Pet Expo's new product showcase winners can be found here. 

BUSINESS - American Kennel Club Opening Retail Centre In New York City

Manhattan will be the home of the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) first retail store and dog-care centre.

The 4,000 square foot facility will offer day care, boarding, training, grooming and walking services along with retail sales, reported the Wall Street Journal.

The dog-care centre will be located at Via 57West, on West 57^th Street, a luxury residential building with 45,000 square feet of retail space.

“We are experienced people with lifetimes involved with the care and showing and exhibiting of dogs,” Dennis Sprung, AKC’s chief executive, told the Wall Street Journal. “We bring that knowledge and experience to the table, and now we are just applying it to brick and mortar.”

As the United States’ registry for purebred dog pedigrees and promoter of sanctioned purebred dog events, the AKC has seen first-hand the devotion Americans have towards their pets – and the resources they commit to them – making this move into the pet retail business make financial sense.

According to the American Pet Products Association, of the $60.6 billion pet owners spent on their pets in 2015, an estimated $5.24 billion went toward grooming and boarding services.

The AKC plans to open more dog-care centres in other major cities.

APPA announces staff promotions

The American Pet Products Association announced recently the promotion of two long-time staffers to new roles within the company. 

Jennifer Skelley accepted a new role as Associate Director of Communications & Public Relations. Skelley will play an integral role in continuously developing and implementing association-wide marketing plans to serve, promote and advance APPA, Global Pet Expo and the pet products industry. 

Julia Fidenzio-Alicea was announced as Senior Counsel & Director of Industry Relations where she will represent APPA members and pet industry positions on developing issues and will lead common reaction and outreach efforts to the public on animal law issues. 

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