(PRESS RELEASE) ROCKVILLE, MD — As argued in Packaged Facts’ just-released US Pet Market Outlook, 2024-2025, the pet industry is at an inflection point due to macroeconomic and industry-specific factors, such that providing value to pet parents has come to the fore as a competitive strategy. “The promise of money savings and added value is possibly the oldest promotional maneuver,” report analyst David Lummis remarks, “but with the economic trauma of the pandemic and its aftermaths still rippling through, there may be no better time to focus on value to attract shoppers and engender customer l ..read more

(PRESS RELEASE) ST. FRANCIS, WI — Charlee Bear, a family-owned company that manufactures healthy, natural rewards and training treats for dogs, introduces its improved Grain Free Meaty Bites. These one-of-a-kind treats are the first raw, freeze dried meat treats infused with real fruit or vegetables pet parents can actually see. Each treat starts with a select cut of raw meat, poultry or fish. Then they’re infused with real fruit or vegetables and freeze dried for maximum nutrition, digestibility and flavor. Each savory snack contains less than 5 calories per treat and features probiotics to h ..read more

Evers announced today that Nestlé Purina PetCare Co. is planning a $195 million expansion in Jefferson, WI. The project will increase production of wet pet food brands in Jefferson by nearly 50%, including Pro Plan, Fancy Feast and Beneful IncrediBites, and add 35,000 square feet to the facility. It’s expected to bring 100 jobs to the community. “We are thrilled that Nestlé Purina is moving forward with expanding its Jefferson facility and that we could be a partner in helping support this effort, which will bring roughly 100 new jobs to the community,” Gov. Tony Evers said in an announcement ..read more

In this Media Spotlight interview, Nick Smith, HICC Pet’s North American Sales Manager, sits down with our Chloe DiVita to discuss HICC Pet’s guiding principles. Created with sensitive skin friendly, naturally derived ingredients, HICC Pet’s easy-to-apply wipes, sprays and rinses are all designed to keep dogs and cats clean and healthy in the most gentle way possible. In this interesting discussion, find out why the HICC Pet name — Health Innovations for Cleaner, Comfier Pets — is at the center of the company’s line of pet skin wellness and grooming products. The post HICC Pet<small>®< ..read more

Prolonged merchant demand for space, fewer store closures and bankruptcies and a limited available supply have combined to produce the tightest retail market on record in the United States and Canada, according to the latest report from commercial real estate services firm Lee & Associates. Vacancies in both markets are either at or near all-time lows, and the bellwether New York market has shown strength, as well. The U.S. vacancy rate settled at 4.1% at the end of the first quarter, up slightly from 4% at the close of 2023. Demand for U.S. retail space rose by more than 53 million square ..read more

(PRESS RELEASE) MIAMI, FL — Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, the renowned pet care brand, announces the official opening of its first location in Illinois, in Naperville. Building on a strong start to 2024, which marked the successful signing of new franchise agreements in Michigan and Wisconsin, Woof Gang is aggressively expanding its presence in the Midwest. This expansion includes plans to open new stores across the region, with four upcoming locations in Indiana, three more in Illinois, two in Minnesota, three in Michigan, and one in Wisconsin, underscoring our commitment to spreading love ..read more

The post Meet 28 of the Coolest Store Cats appeared first on PETSPLUSMAG.COM ..read more

CHICAGO — Oil-Dri Corporation of America is acquiring privately held Ultra Pet Company Inc. for $46 million in cash. Oil-Dri Corporation of America is a manufacturer of sorbent minerals, including clay-based cat litter. Ultra Pet is a supplier of silica gel-based crystal cat litter. Daniel Jaffee, Oil-Dri’s president and CEO, said: “We are excited about this acquisition, as it will allow Oil-Dri to expand its distribution into the growing crystal litter segment. This strategic move further strengthens Oil-Dri’s position as one of the largest cat litter producers in North America and aligns per ..read more

Target (Minneapolis) has been hit with a class-action lawsuit alleging it broke the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, which was passed in 2008 and is designed to protect people from their physical characteristics being collected without their knowledge, MediaDailyNews reports. The suit comes a few months after the Federal Trade Commission banned Rite Aid from using facial recognition in its stores for five years. The suit, which lists an Arnetta Dean as the lead plaintiff, was filed several weeks ago in Illinois’ Cook County, which is home to Chicago and its surroundings. Target has ..read more

(PRESS RELEASE) SALT LAKE CITY — K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel, multi-award-winning luxury boarding and dog daycare franchise brand, has announced a multi-unit signed agreement for a location in Omaha, Nebraska and two in Salt Lake City, Utah. K9 Resorts is leading the pack among luxury pet care franchises with more than 165 resorts across 28 states currently operating or in various stages of development. Pet boarding is on a trajectory to become a $35.8 billion industry by 2031 with an expected compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. With the recent $10M investment from Partners Pacific Resorts, K ..read more