Several recent licensed pet lines have featured people-like clothing and accessories styles, almost making pets into “mini-mes” that mirror the fashion choices of either their owners or the property (e.g., a celebrity) on which the range is based. While pet lines typically capture the sensibility of the underlying property in their look and feel, these […]
Tag Archives | PetSmart
Sweet Charity
One result of consumers’ growing demand for retailers and marketers to make a positive pro-social impact is that non-profit groups are assuming a higher profile in the licensing business, especially over the past two years. They have always had a presence, of course, both as licensors and as promotional partners, but their involvement is slowly […]
More Merch for Furry Family Members
Based on the continuous stream of new deals announced over the past several years, the pet industry would appear to be bursting at the seams with licensed products. But there always seems to be room for more properties in this category, driven by a vast landscape of consumer pet owners who are willing to spend […]
Standing Out in the Pet Aisle
Pet-products deals announced in the last two months continue a trend in which licensors are looking for voids in the market that they can fill with a focused, differentiated line of merchandise: Black + Decker licensed Wagz for a range of smart pet products, encompassing connected feeders, doors, and collars, controlled through the Black + […]
A Meditation on Mergers & Acquisitions
Last month came news that Learfield and its competitor IMG College were in late negotiations to merge. If the plans go through, this move would bring together the two major agents in the collegiate licensing business, not to mention their vast sponsorship and multimedia operations, marking a big change for the collegiate licensing business. It […]
Pet Shop Purchases
In the last year, several pet products retailers have acquired (or, in some cases, been acquired by) other pet-focused companies, including e-commerce specialists, manufacturers, service providers, and competitive store chains: Regional retailer Chuck & Don’s purchased e-commerce and home delivery service Fetch (not to be confused with pet products licensee Fetch…for Pets!). Phillips Feed Service, […]
Pet Projects
Three years ago it seemed as if licensing in the crowded pet products industry had matured beyond novelty goods. Many of the deals forged at that time created a true point of difference in the marketplace. They ranged from Greenberry’s Animal Planet line, focused on waste collection and disposal; to PetSmart’s National Geographic assortment, centering […]
Musicians Are Pet Lovers, Too
Musicians have comprised one of the most active groups of licensors in recent months when it comes to licensing into pet products. Among those launching or announcing pet collections within the past year: Miranda Lambert teamed with Petmate for a brand called MuttNation Fueled by Miranda Lambert, which includes everything from bedding and apparel to […]
More Fashion Options for Your Pet
The pet products category has seen a recent bump in activity tied to celebrity-driven fashion and lifestyle brands. Notable names entering or announcing their entrance into the market over the past six months include: Ellen DeGeneres, who licensed Posh Paws for a line of pet accessories under her ED lifestyle brand, which also has deals […]