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  • Vets and Subscriptions foods

    Vets and Subscriptions foods
    2025/05/05
    Summary
    In this episode, Clayton and Sam discuss the latest trends in the pet food industry, particularly focusing on innovative products like gourmet meals for dogs. They explore the marketing strategies behind these products, the challenges of subscription services, and the implications of consumer behavior in the pet market. The conversation then shifts to the veterinary sector, addressing issues such as pricing, transparency, and the influence of corporate ownership on veterinary practices. The hosts emphasize the need for better consumer information and the potential conflicts of interest within the veterinary industry.
    Takeaways
    Years.com offers gourmet meals for dogs, like paella and lasagna.
    The marketing strategy of years.com is seen as innovative but potentially unsustainable.
    The premiumization trend in pet ownership is growing, especially among affluent demographics.
    Subscription models in pet food may struggle with customer churn.
    The veterinary sector faces scrutiny over pricing and transparency.
    Corporate ownership in veterinary practices can lead to conflicts of interest.
    Consumers often lack access to affordable medication options for pets.
    The importance of multi-channel distribution for pet food brands is highlighted.
    Veterinarians may be limited in their ability to recommend cost-effective treatments.
    The conversation underscores the need for reform in the veterinary industry.
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    31 分
  • Global Pet Expo review, Chinese products and Sales reps

    Global Pet Expo review, Chinese products and Sales reps
    2025/04/28
    In this episode, Clayton Payne and Sam discuss the recent acquisition spree by Nutriment, analyzing its implications for the raw pet food market and the competitive landscape. They delve into the legacy of Nature's Menu, the challenges of market segmentation in raw pet food, and the profitability of direct-to-consumer cat food models. The conversation also touches on the recent Global Pet Expo, highlighting the lack of innovation and the overall experience of the event. In this conversation, Clayton Payne discusses the challenges and perceptions surrounding Chinese products in the pet industry, the potential of emerging markets like India and Turkey, and the complexities of supply chains. He also delves into the role of sales reps, their value, and the importance of education and merchandising in retail success.
    takeaways
    • Nutriment's acquisition strategy is aggressive and aimed at market control.
    • Nature's Menu has lost its innovative edge in the raw food sector.
    • Market segmentation is crucial for targeting specific pet owner demographics.
    • D2C cat food models face profitability challenges due to lower transaction values.
    • Kibble remains a profitable segment with room for innovation.
    • Raw food stores are becoming key players in the pet food market.
    • The pet food industry is seeing a shift towards niche products.
    • Investor-led companies often set unrealistic profit expectations.
    • The Global Pet Expo lacked innovation and strong themes this year.
    • Consumer preferences are shifting towards more specialized pet food options. The pet industry is becoming disillusioned with Chinese products.
    • Emerging markets like India and Turkey are gaining traction.
    • Sales reps can be valuable but often lack proper training.
    • Merchandising plays a crucial role in retail success.
    • Intellectual property concerns are significant when dealing with China.
    • Good sales reps should educate retailers about their products.
    • The appearance of products on shelves affects consumer perception.
    • Companies need to focus on creating coherent product ranges.
    • Sales reps should provide insights beyond just selling products.
    • Retailers benefit from understanding customer retention strategies.

    titles
    • Nutriment's Bold Moves in Pet Food
    • The Decline of Nature's Menu
    • Understanding Raw Pet Food Market Dynamics
    • Profitability Challenges in D2C Cat Food
    • Insights from the Global Pet Expo

    Sound Bites
    • "I think it's a smart move"
    • "I think kibble is where it is"
    • "The D2C business model profitable?"
    • "I think any company can be profitable"
    • "There's no strong theme this year either"
    • "This could actually be mass scale."
    • "A lot of people are done with China."
    • "Good sales reps are still worth having."
    • "A good sales rep will educate you."
    • "It just looks like shit."
    • "You can't have a shop full of it."
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    49 分
  • Pet Food Subscription models.... Genius or Garbage?

    Pet Food Subscription models.... Genius or Garbage?
    2025/04/21
    This conversation delves into the evolving landscape of direct-to-consumer (D2C) fresh food subscriptions in the pet industry, particularly focusing on dog and cat food. The hosts discuss the challenges faced by these subscription models, including market saturation, consumer behavior, and the impact of heavy marketing on traditional pet food businesses. They also explore the unique challenges in the cat food market and the controversies surrounding pet nutrition, particularly the role of veterinarians in recommending pet food products.
    takeaways
    • D2C fresh food subscriptions are gaining traction in the pet industry.
    • Investment in pet food subscriptions is often driven by unprofitable marketing strategies.
    • The pet food market is becoming saturated, making survival difficult for many brands.
    • Consumer behavior in pet food is fickle, leading to high churn rates.
    • Cats are generally more discerning eaters than dogs, complicating the cat food market.
    • Veterinarians often lack the nutritional expertise to recommend pet food effectively.
    • The reliance on marketing in grocery products can overshadow ingredient quality.
    • The pet food industry is facing significant challenges due to heavy competition and investment.
    • Sustainable business models are crucial for long-term success in the pet food market.
    • Controversies exist around the quality of ingredients in pet food, especially those endorsed by vets.

    titles
    • Navigating the D2C Pet Food Revolution
    • The Future of Fresh Food Subscriptions
    • Understanding the Cat Food Market

    Sound Bites
    • "The online food sector remains a desert of profit."
    • "It's all about get the revenue to a certain point."
    • "I think the cat market is lacking more."
    • "Cats are a lot more fussy when the food comes."
    • "Vets are not nutritionists."
    • "If you sell sugar to pets, that's commendable."
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    27 分
  • Raw feeding and Online retailing

    Raw feeding and Online retailing
    2025/04/14
    Summary
    In this conversation, Clayton and Sam discuss the evolution of Mersey Raw, a pet food company, and the challenges it faces in scaling its operations. They explore marketing strategies for raw feeding, the potential of innovative pet supplements, and the future of online pet retailing. The discussion highlights the importance of customer engagement, product quality, and the competitive landscape of the pet industry.

    Takeaways
    Mersey Raw has faced significant challenges but remains committed to its mission.
    Scaling in the pet food industry requires diversification of products.
    Marketing strategies should focus on educating consumers rather than bashing competitors.
    Innovative formats in pet supplements can attract new customers.
    The online pet retail market is highly competitive and challenging.
    Customer engagement is crucial for building brand loyalty.
    Acquisition strategies can complicate business operations.
    The raw feeding market has untapped potential among new pet owners.
    Pricing strategies need to be aligned with consumer expectations.
    Sustainable packaging and product delivery methods are important for brand reputation.
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    34 分
  • Forthglade is it losing its way????

    Forthglade is it losing its way????
    2025/04/07
    Summary
    In this conversation, Clayton Payne and Sam discuss the challenges faced by the pet food brand ForthGlade, including its decline in brand identity and market presence due to its shift towards grocery distribution. They explore the implications of this shift for independent retailers and the overall pet food market. The discussion also delves into the evolving treats market, highlighting trends, investment opportunities, and the importance of innovation in pet food products.

    Takeaways
    ForthGlade's decline is attributed to its grocery distribution strategy.
    Independent retailers are losing customers to grocery chains.
    Brand identity is crucial for maintaining market presence.
    The treats market is diverse and fragmented.
    Investors seek high returns, complicating funding for new brands.
    High-value treats are essential for dog training.
    The pet food market is evolving with new trends and products.
    Innovation is key to staying competitive in the pet industry.
    Grocery consumers are less brand loyal than independent store shoppers.
    The future of pet food includes more raw and gently cooked options.
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    23 分
  • Pets at Home and Private Equity

    Pets at Home and Private Equity
    2025/03/31
    In this episode, Clayton Payne and Sam discuss the current struggles of Pets at Home, focusing on their declining retail performance and the impact of competition from other pet supply stores. They explore the changing landscape of the pet retail industry, the importance of veterinary services, and the potential for Pets at Home to go private. The conversation also delves into branding strategies and growth opportunities for the company, emphasizing the need for innovation and adaptation in a saturated market.
    takeaways
    • Pets at Home is facing significant challenges in the retail market.
    • The veterinary segment is a strong performer for Pets at Home.
    • Competition from stores like Jolly's is increasing.
    • The retail environment for pet supplies is changing rapidly.
    • Pets at Home's business model may need to adapt to survive.
    • Private equity could play a role in Pets at Home's future.
    • Branding and product quality are crucial for growth.
    • Investing in innovative pet brands could be beneficial.
    • The market is moving towards niche pet stores rather than generalists.
    • Consumer preferences are shifting towards specialized pet products.

    titles
    • The Struggles of Pets at Home
    • The Changing Retail Landscape
    • Competition and Market Saturation

    Sound Bites
    • "Pets at Home is really struggling."
    • "Their veterinary segment saw sales soar by 21.3%."
    • "The retail environment is going to be challenging."
    • "I think their heyday was 15, 20 years ago."
    • "No retailer should be selling live animals."
    • "Jolly's do the actual pet store better."
    • "They need to revamp their branding."
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    34 分
  • Corporate Vets and Halal pet food

    Corporate Vets and Halal pet food
    2025/03/25
    In this episode of Real Pet Industry News, Clayton and Sam discuss the rapid corporatization of veterinary practices, the challenges faced by independent vets, and the implications for pet care and nutrition. They explore the viability of ancillary pet services like grooming and hydrotherapy, and delve into the emerging niche market of halal cat food, evaluating its potential and challenges in the pet food industry.
    takeaways
    • The rapid expansion of corporate veterinary practices is concerning for independent vets.
    • Corporate ownership may lead to standardized care and product recommendations.
    • Vets may face pressure to sell specific products due to corporate ownership.
    • The rise of ancillary pet services presents both opportunities and challenges.
    • Grooming and hydrotherapy are labor-intensive and may struggle to scale.
    • Niche markets like halal cat food can be challenging but may offer unique opportunities.
    • Consumer trust in vets is crucial for the pet food market.
    • The quality of pet food is often compromised for palatability.
    • Marketing strategies should focus on product quality rather than just niche labeling.
    • The pet industry is evolving, and businesses must adapt to survive.

    Sound Bites
    • "It's going to be like walking into a subway."
    • "The decline of independent vets has been ongoing."
    • "The corporatization of industries can be ridiculous."
    • "It's going to be very hard for vets to stand out."
    • "The world's first halal cat food is here."
    • "Niche down to make a stride into a mature industry."
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    27 分
  • B Corps, Napo pet insurance and Bella and Duke

    B Corps, Napo pet insurance and Bella and Duke
    2025/03/17
    Summary
    In this episode, Clayton and Sam discuss the recent decision by Scrambles to not renew their B Corp certification, citing concerns over the certification's integrity and its shift towards marketing rather than genuine ethical business practices. They delve into the broader implications of sustainability in the pet food industry, questioning whether consumers truly care about certifications like B Corp. The conversation shifts to Scrambles' strategy of entering supermarkets, the challenges faced by the pet insurance industry, and the recent move by Bella and Duke to expand beyond direct-to-consumer sales. Throughout, they emphasize the importance of genuine commitment to sustainability and the complexities of navigating the pet food market.
    Takeaways
    B Corp certification has lost its credibility and is seen as greenwashing.
    Companies should focus on genuine ethical practices rather than marketing badges.
    Sustainability in business is often more about perception than reality.
    Consumers may not understand or care about certifications like B Corp.
    Pet insurance is a challenging business model due to frequent claims.
    Bella and Duke's shift to retail may alienate independent pet stores.
    The pet food market is becoming increasingly competitive with many brands.
    Brands need to build strong relationships with independent retailers.
    Education is crucial for consumers when it comes to raw feeding.
    The pet industry is evolving, with more focus on independent retailers.
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    27 分