IndiePet-Fulfilling Our Promises
Two years ago, we asked the independent pet retail community what they needed most from a new association. Their responses informed our initial committee formation to address the most frequently mentioned needs: channel integrity and standards, marketing and awareness (why indie) extending the in-store experience (e-commerce and competing with big box and big online) and growing people (staff education and development). Our four committees, comprising member retailers from varying size businesses, manufacturer members, and distributor members, have been highly engaged in vetting and developing programs and resources for our retail members.
Remember that IndiePet has been in existence for less than two years. Since our debut at SuperZoo 2021 through this year at Global Pet Expo 2023, we have accomplished a lot, though several of our larger, more complex programs are continuing to be developed. Let’s take a look at how IndiePet has been keeping its promises to members.
Awareness
We promised to support marketing efforts to create and expand awareness of the independent pet retailer. At Global Pet Expo 2023, IndiePet is proud and excited to introduce our first national campaign – Neighborhood Pet Store Day – A day to celebrate independent pet retailers. This nation-wide campaign, kicking off on September 23, 2023, will be open to any independent pet retailer (members and non-members) to celebrate in any way they want to with special events and product or service promotions. IndiePet members who participate will have special assistance from us and from IndiePet associate members including signage, supplier support, media and promotional kits. The event will be advertised and promoted heavily through trade, local, and social media. We want to help you shout it …Indies are the best, they have the healthy products savvy pet parents want, their staff is engaged and educated, they are an integral part of their communities. Visit the Neighborhood Pet Store Day website to get more information and to RSVP for participation.
People
We promised to support our members’ efforts with employee onboarding, performance, and retention. Working with FetchFind and our association partners World Pet Association (WPA) and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), we have committed to a specially developed learning platform designed to engage and reward learners as well as provide for uncomplicated assignment and management of training modules to keep learners on track. The platform will be fully customizable, allowing for training on everything from required product information to store operations and customer service or anything else a business owner/manager deems important. We invite you to visit our booth (#5458) at Global to see a demonstration and speak directly with a developer.
Get access to great content like this and so much more by joining IndiePet today!
Insights
We promised valuable research and insights to help members stay current with trends, make decisions about products, and get to know more about what drives customer buying decisions.
Over the past year IndiePet has compiled a library of webinars, industry sales reports, technical support, and operational benchmarks provided by industry partners: SPINS, Finn Cady, WPA, Kiwi Kitchens, and the Pet Sustainability Coalition. We continue to grow this resource library.
Pricing
We promised to help members tackle long-standing challenges around product pricing and the availability of accurate product information. Coming first will be a MAP dashboard that will allow members to keep tabs on MAP pricing violations, address them quickly, and open a line of communication with manufacturers about repeated infractions. Initially the top 100 most popular Indie brand SKUs will be monitored.
Product information
Next will be a robust Product Information Management database that will contain all the assets retailers need to keep your point of sale and ecomm current including product descriptions, photos and current pricing. No more having to request information from a dozen or more different manufacturers or having a jumble of file sizes or formats to manage. This will be a fantastic tool that is likely to be a game changer for manufacturers and retailers alike. It will be available to IndiePet members only.
These are the biggies! Our IndieChats have been well attended and are ongoing (all retail members are invited!) Trade show networking opportunities will continue to be offered. We’re working on more personal projects as well such as Member-to Member Mentorship allowing members to share their experience or learn from a more experienced member. We’ll facilitate the introductions and get you started. If you are a member who would like to participate either as a mentor or mentee, please visit our website for more information.
IndiePet will continue to listen to our members and with their input and the direction of our board and our 35-member Advisory Panel, continue to create, vet, and seek out new and worthwhile resources, services and products that support our independent pet retail members and our industry associate members. Our network of retailers and suppliers continues to grow. Visit our website member directory for retail or associate member listings. If you are not a member, please consider joining. We’ll be happy to welcome you.
