With a booming pet industry valued at more than $2800 billion in 2024, and projected to grow in the coming years, pet re...
With a booming pet industry valued at more than $2800 billion in 2024, and projected to grow in the coming years, pet retailers face unprecedented opportunities. But with that, they also face fierce competition. The key to success is having clever marketing and eye-catching branding. But all of that begins with your products, and where they come from.
For pet retailers, choosing the right product manufacturer is a foundational decision. The better the supplier, the better your reputation, margin, inventory reliability, and trust from customers. Whether you are launching a new line or scaling your retail operations, here are some things you need to look for in a manufacturing partner.
In the last few years, we’ve seen how the demography of pet customers changed. Millennials are now the biggest customers, and for them, quality is non-negotiable. Pet parents nowadays treat their dogs and animals like they are part of the family.
Selling them a toy that falls apart after two uses results in more than just a refund request. You have lost a loyal customer forever.
That is why retailers have to look for manufacturers that don’t just meet minimum requirements. Instead, they prioritize safety and durability and try to exceed the requirements.
Look for manufacturers that use pet-safe materials like natural rubber, and have certifications such as ISO 9001 for quality management, ASTM standards for durability, and more.
If your manufacturer cuts corners, it is your reputation and success at stake. You can ask for sample reports and past defect rates.
When you hear about a dog getting injured due to a problem with the quality of a toy, such as the toy being too chew-resistant, causing choking or tooth damage, or the toy being too hard, resulting in tooth loss, gum bleeding, or even accidental ingestion causing intestinal lacerations or intestinal obstruction; Don't talk about compensation or how it might affect your brand. Isn't it just that such incidents don't make people feel sad?
A good supplier is not just about avoiding shoddy workmanship, but should also offer more professional suggestions regarding the products, such as the bite resistance, which part of the product is prone to being damaged? How can it be strengthened? How should the material strength suitable for different dog breeds be defined? Have there been any tests using equipment for inspection?
The more professional the supplier is, the more it can enhance the quality of your product, rather than the cheaper the cost is.
Customization is one of the biggest trends in the pet industry, and will only grow bigger. Customers nowadays want more than off-the-shelf products. Flexibility is key to success when launching a branded toy line or custom sizing.
Look for manufacturers that offer private-label or white-label production services, support custom molds, and provide a broad product range.
A Nielsen IQ study found that 63% of pet product shoppers are more likely to buy from a store that carries exclusive products. So, partner with a manufacturer that can make that happen.
An excellent supplier should offer the following customization services:
1. Product customization:
Help customers create 3D drawings based on their blueprints or even just their ideas. These drawings can be presented from multiple angles and in all directions, allowing customers to have a more intuitive understanding of the product. If necessary, prototypes of the product can be 3D printed.
Based on experience and relevant data, provide professional modification suggestions.
Have the ability to design mold structures. Good molds will produce high-quality products.
Have the ability to design material formulas. According to the target breed of the customer, design the most suitable material formulas in terms of performance and cost.
2. Customized Packaging:
The supplier should possess the capability for managing the packaging material supply chain, including items such as paper cards, paper boxes, paper cartons, and plastic bags, etc. For those with special requirements, such as recyclable and degradable packaging materials, one should be familiar with the requirements of each country.
Having a reasonable analysis of packaging size and packaging labor costs, for example, for FBA delivery, the packaging size directly affects the delivery cost.
3. Service Customization:
For example, product photoshoots, application scenarios images, usage videos, etc., to meet customer needs.
Agency freight transportation capacity, with relevant experience and resources in freight agency, customs declaration for export, and customs clearance.
The ability to conduct destructive experiments, as well as to test the final state of products under extreme conditions, etc.
Compliance is often an overlooked factor until it becomes a problem. Every region in the world has its own regulatory maze. Manufacturers should be familiar with US standards, EU regulations, and Chinese regulations, and help with proper labeling.
As a pet retailer, your inventory pipeline is as reliable as your manufacturer’s ability to deliver. During seasonal surges, you need to be ready. Look for a manufacturer that has a production capacity and turnaround times that can deliver.
Ask questions like how many units they can produce monthly, what is their average lead time, how they handle rush orders or delays, and so on.
You do not want to find yourself in a situation where you miss a launch of holiday-themed toys because your overseas manufacturer was overbooked and failed to deliver. If a manufacturer doesn’t disclose their capacity limits, look for another partner.
We live in an era where customers care for sustainability, the environment, and ethics. Pet owners nowadays prefer eco-friendly products. Look for manufacturers that use recyclable or biodegradable materials, have factories with environmental certifications, and adhere to ethical labor practices. If sustainability is part of your brand, your manufacturer’s supply chain should reflect that.
When you partner with a manufacturer, you are looking for someone who is more than a vendor. Your business partner should provide timely updates, clarify requirements, and offer solutions. Communication is key to any successful relationship, even more so in a business relationship. Set expectations early and check their response time to inquiries and issues. Establish the preferred method of contact, whether that is email, messaging platforms, calls, or anything else. Poor communication can lead to costly misunderstandings and your business will suffer.
An excellent supplier must possess the ability to control timeframes. Usually, a "XXX Project Timeframe Control Table" is generated at the beginning of the project. At each node, there will be checks and feedback. Once the node is achieved, the next node will be entered. If it is not achieved, an "Improvement Plan" must be prepared and the timeframe table updated. It is necessary to notify the client and maintain communication to strive to complete the project at the final node.
Never take someone’s word for it. Check and ask around. Reliable manufacturers have client testimonials or case studies, a visible online presence, a visible presence at industry trade shows, and partnerships with other trusted pet brands. Search for the manufacturer on online industry forums and/or LinkedIn. Amazon is a great place to check reviews as well.
Choosing the right pet product manufacturer is not just a procurement decision, it is a long-term investment in integrity, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
At PetopiaToys, we understand the needs and wishes of customers. That is why we invest in rigorous testing from start to finish, and we make sure that our toys meet the highest standards. We use natural rubber for our toys, as we believe it is the best option that offers sustainability and quality.
At Petopiatoys, we are constantly researching new materials and continuously improving our products. We are committed to environmental protection, so we have been constantly seeking more environmentally friendly materials, recyclable materials, and degradable materials. We focus on safety, so we do not use materials that are too hard and might damage the teeth and gums. We do not use paint or glue, and we take the utmost measures to ensure safety.
At Petopiatoys, we study the chewing habits of dogs, collect data on the tooth structures of different dog breeds, as well as the location data of the chewable products, and use these as basic data to better apply them in product design.
At Petopiatoys, we collaborate with our clients to study the local culture and customs of the market. Based on various topics, we develop products with different themes to align with the local culture and aesthetic standards.
In conclusion, at Petopiatoys, if you have a request, we will do our best to fulfill it.
