STOP. DON’T SHOP BIG BOX ... HEAD TO YOUR LOCAL PET SPECIALTY STORE INSTEAD! Why You Should Support Small Pet Businesses
When it comes to the health of our pets, we’ll move mountains to ensure our furry friends have only the best. And while that looks different for all pet owners and their animals’ needs, most of us want peace of mind by knowing what we’re buying, and who we’re buying it from. To purchase our pets’ everyday products – there’s either big-box retail or specialty stores, and it can be confusing to navigate the pros and cons of both. Big-box retail presents challenges that are often solved by the small specialty stores many of us love.
Big Box vs. Specialty As a pet owner, you’ve probably felt torn a time or two between 12
the convenience and affordability of big-box pet chains but frustrated by the endless selection of over-marketed brands and product choices. It can feel as though there’s simply too much to choose from! The reality is, big-box retailers have a goal of reaching a much larger market of customers by selling wide ranges of brands and products at lower prices thanks to market demand, but this doesn’t necessarily mean the products are better, and it doesn’t mean you’ll have a more positive customer experience. You might also be surprised to find that large pet store chains don’t always have the knowledge or resources to help you choose between different
brands, products, and price points, because there’s simply too much choice. If, however, convenience and price are a factor, big-box pet chains can offer both, and there’s nothing wrong with purchasing with convenience and budget in mind.
