Content about PET

SAN FRANCISCO — Retail pharmacy may soon have another product to showcase as part of a comprehensive pet care set — a mobile health device to track activity for dogs. Whistle, a technology company dedicated to helping pets live longer and healthier lives, on Wednesday debuted its flagship product, a device that connects to a dog’s collar to measure key health indicators including activity and rest.

YARDLEY, Pa. — FidoPharm on Thursday announced the launch of a complete line of pet supplements under the VetTrust brand. The line features 14 products that focus on some of the most common pet health concerns including joint health, ear care, skin and coat care, and general health and well-being.  

Pet supplies may have had limited growth this past year, but the stars of the segment are healthcare-related products. Pet supplies saw a 2% increase, bringing sales to $11.1 billion, according to Packaged Facts. The market research firm projects that this year, pet supplies will grow 4% over 2012 sales.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — For most Americans who own pets, that word refers to the kinds with four legs and a predilection for purring or tail wagging. But more than 100 million Americans also own pets other than cats and dogs, representing a significant share of the market, according to a new report.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — One of the most common reasons that retailers give for pet-medication programs is that pets are part of the family.

As analyst Debbie Wang of investment firm Morningstar told Drug Store News in April 2012, more empty nesters and young couples putting off having children are driving increases in pet ownership, and with that comes a need for pet healthcare.

Pet products have moved into the OTC aisles and even behind the pharmacy. Sales of pet supplies/OTC medicine are expected to reach $12.56 billion in 2012, according to the American Pet Products Association. 


One of the key drivers of the category, according to Packaged Facts, is the growing population of pets with specialized health needs, especially senior and overweight dogs and cats.


SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Tuesday reported its Paws for Pets program generated $191,000 in donations and pet supplies for 94 local animal shelters and rescue organizations in its five-state market area, nearly double the total raised in 2011.

The four-week program ran through Memorial Day weekend in the company's stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia. During this time, 64 stores also hosted pet adopt-a-thon events with local pet organizations.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The past two weeks have seen two new additions to the list of retailers selling prescription drugs for pets, showing that this space, while still small, is growing in importance and offers a good way for retailers to drive customer traffic.

A typical retail pharmacy is equipped to handle most of the prescription needs of its customers, whether they have a skin rash, chronic illness or the need for a vaccination against the flu or shingles.


With the plethora of health needs facing humans these days, it’s easy to forget that Fluffy and Fido have a few health needs of their own — needs that are driving sales of prescription drugs for pets and opening opportunities for pharmacy retailers.


HOUSTON — Minute Maid is shaking up the juice aisle with a lighter version of its lemonade beverages.

The company said its light lemonade line will include light lemonade and light pink lemonade varieties. Each beverage, which touts 15 calories per serving, will be packaged in clear 59-oz. recyclable PET bottles that "allows people to see the goodness inside," the company said.

Sales of plain PET bottled water may be flat, but there’s significant action in flavored and enhanced waters. Glaceau’s Vitaminwater Zero saw triple-digit sales increases in all three channels (excluding Walmart) for the 52 weeks ended Aug. 7, according to the SymphonyIRI Group. Sales of the company’s Smartwater jumped 25% during the same period.

Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s also have introduced private-label electrolyte-enhanced still waters.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — PepsiCo's Canada operations has introduced its first soft drink bottle made from 100% recycled PET plastic.

The company said that its 7UP soft drink will be available in the EcoGreen bottle in Canada. With the introduction of the 7UP EcoGreen bottle in Canada, PepsiCo Beverages Canada will reduce the amount of virgin plastic used by approximately 6 million lbs. over the course of one year.