Pet Supplies "Plus"
Pet Supplies "Plus", founded in 1988 in Farmington Hills, Michigan in the United States, is a privately-held pet supply retailing corporation with a major presence in the US.[1][2] As of 2005, it was the third largest specialty pet food retailer in the US.[3] The company began adding franchise locations in the Midwest, expanding into the northeastern and southern states during the late 1990s.[3] Its 2010 locations consisted of 230 stores in 23 states.[4]
The chain's founders, Harry Shallop and Jack Berry, sought to bring grocery store convenience into the pet supply world.[4] The chain's stores are owned by independent franchisees. Measuring under 10,000 square feet (930 m2), the stores are smaller than the "big box" national chains, and are focused on being neighborhood pet supply "supermarkets." The stores stock a very wide selection of pet food and supplies ('anything a pet can eat, play with, sleep on or be groomed by") that is replenished by frequent deliveries (once or thrice a week). Although the selection is focused on food and supplies, the stores do have limited livestock departments. Pet Supplies "Plus" makes it a point to welcome dogs, cats and other pets to its stores. In its ads, the company bills itself as being "your pet's favorite store." In keeping with this slogan, it displays biscuits at "nose level" so dogs can take samples while shopping with their owners. Many Pet Supplies "Plus" locations sponsor adoption events with local animal rescue and humane groups. Many have also recently added grooming services and self-serve dog washes.
[edit] History
Pet Supplies "Plus" was founded in 1988 by Harry Shallop and Jack Berry, in Farmington Hills, Michigan. When creating this whole new concept, the founders had in mind the convenience of the supermarkets and brought pet shops on a new level. The Pet Supplies "Plus" was designed according to the grocery stores models and was the first pet shop with wide aisles and neat well-stocked display shelves. [5] The overhead signs, large parking lots as well as convenient hours did not miss. They also had everyday low prices and a helpful staff on the aisles to help pet owners choose the best food and supplies for their pets.
The new pet retail concept was a success and within five years after opening the first Pet Supplies "Plus", the founders opened stores in 30 more locations. Not long after, the founders were joined by a third partner, Harvey Solway which kept the business growing. In September, 2010, Pet Supplies "Plus" was sold to Irving Place Capital, a private equity group, but day-to-day operations continue to be run by the management team that was in place before the sale. In fact, the company's top managers continue to own a share in the company, and many of the stores are independently owned franchised sites.
Today, there are over 235 Pet Supplies "Plus" stores in 23 states, mainly in the eastern half of the United States. Pet Supplies "Plus" can be found in Alabama, New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Rhode Island, Indiana, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Michigan, Texas, Minnesota, Virginia, Missouri, West Virginia, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Wisconsin.
One of the main reasons why this type of pet store proved to be so appealing for the public was because of its accessibility and convenience. Most of the small pet shops are too small to store wide ranges of food brands and categories as well as many different other supplies. Crates, kennels and many other such pet supplies occupy plenty of space in a shop and therefore, pet owners had to visit more than just one store to find what they needed. Also, the new concept of pet store brought a much larger opportunity to choose. A large supermarket-like pet store is able to provide anything any pet owner wants. Not to mention, that one can get the particular item it is looking for just by looking on the shelves and comparing the prices. The staff may also be consulted in case more information is needed and for special orders.
Most of the Pet Supplies "Plus" are located in very convenient high-traffic sites with large parking lots. [6] Pet Supplies "Plus" stores that are located in smaller cities have between 5,000 and 6,000 square feet (560 m2) while the ones situated in larger areas can have up to 9,000 square feet (840 m2). The limited square footage brings the advantage of a better distribution system as well as of holding down costs for the company. In the end, pet owners win because they can get the same product for less money. Recently, many Pet Supplies "Plus" stores have added self-serve dog washes and grooming centers to their sites as a customer convenience.
Pets are in fact allowed to walk through the aisles of the Pet Supplies "Plus" stores. This store provides treats, chew toys and other such products which are located on low shelves making it possible for dogs to reach them.
Pet Supplies "Plus" is however in a strong competition with the online pet stores. Many pet owners would rather order their pet products from online websites because this means much lesser effort at the same quality. [7] And yet, many others prefer purchasing from regular shops because it is much more fun although it may be time consuming.
[edit] References
- ^ "Pet Supplies Plus/USA Inc.". Business Week. 2010-05-16. http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=10622359. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
- ^ "Industry Overview:Pet Stores". Hoover's. http://www.hoovers.com/pet-stores/--ID__222--/free-ind-fr-profile-basic.xhtml. Retrieved 2010-05-23. "Major companies include PetSmart, PETCO Animal Supplies Stores, Pet Supplies "Plus," and Petland."
- ^ a b "With the big dogs; Pet Supplies `Plus' grows to 3rd-largest pet food specialist". Crain's Detroit Business (Crain Communications). 2005-12-05. http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-5075027/With-the-big-dogs-Pet.html. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
- ^ a b "About Us". Pet Supplies "Plus". http://www.petsuppliesplus.com/about.html. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
- ^ "About Us". http://www.petsuppliesplus.com/about.html. Retrieved 2010-06-09.
- ^ "Pet Supplies "Plus"". http://www.petsuppliesplus.com/about.html. Retrieved 2010-06-09.
- ^ "Pet Store Supplies Online". http://www.petstoresupplies.org/. Retrieved 2010-06-09.
