Page 9 - SouthEast Marketing Fall 2018

243dog and cat enthusiasts have for their pets, are consistent winners. As always, the quality of the product and the artfulness of the execution matters.Set up a vignette in your store that tells the story “We love animals”. Fill it with frames, mugs, novelty socks and desk signs – products that have broad appeal. For the holidays, our best sellers are personalized dog ornaments anddoggie scarves that put everyone in the holiday spirit.Another robust category is pet memorial. Most people have multiple pets in their lives. Loss and grief is part of the pet owning experience. Angel Star hasan entire pet memorial division that includes necklaces, memory stone and urns. Wellspring offers an illustrated memorial book written tohelp children deal with the sadness of losing a pet.Don’t know what to get the new guyin the office that loves dogs? How about a dog silhouette sticky pad. Want a good laugh? Pet dish towels with funny sayings are always appreciated.Dogs are adorable. Cats are eccentric. Animal behavior makes us smile.What about breed-specific giftware? Consumers love dogs in general, but then they like to get precise. A good breed-specific program is an excellent add on. There are nine dominate breeds that represent over 50% of the business. Start there. Your rep can help you identify the top turning breeds.With regard to items for the animal themselves, beware. During the5holidays, products that are meant for the pet to wear or use sell well, such as dog scarves or holiday treat bowls. But year round, the items that acknowledge the feeling dog and cats owners have for their pets retail the best. We love our pets, and expressing the joy they give us and the importance they have in our lives is fun.Someone recently said to me, “Emotional support animals are everywhere nowadays.” Aren’t all pets emotional support animals? Perhaps that’s why Pavilion’s Rescue People mug, introduced January 18, became their #1 reordered mug within 3 months.(800) 875-1155 WWW.SOUTHEASTMARKETING.COM 9