Retail Merchandiser Volume 64, Issue 4 | Page 26

Cover Story ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pets are truly part of our families . Whether it be a dog ’ s excited greeting when you walk through the door , admiring a unique feature on a tropical fish , or a cat curled up in front of the fire , our pets have the potential to make our day with the simplest of activities or behaviors .

Committed to ensuring our pets live happy and healthy lives , Animal Supply Company ( Animal Supply ) is a leading distributor of wholesale pet products across the US . A genuine passion for animals runs through the core of the business , which is evident in Animal Supply ’ s mission to provide a wide selection of the highest quality products , including in-demand brands and unique options that can ’ t be found anywhere else .
Animal Supply has been an accredited business since 2022 and is a proud partner of the Pet Sustainability Coalition , as well as a founding member of the Indie Pet Group . To learn more about these accolades alongside the company ’ s evolution and current portfolio , we speak with Sevy Maurer , Senior Director of Vendor Sales and Marketing .
“ Our founders , Randy Reber and John Shine proudly launched Animal Supply in 1987 with 28 independent Purina Feed dealers , a 20,000-square-foot warehouse in Auburn , Washington State , and just one Kenworth T-800 semi-tractor trailer ,” Sevy begins . “ These humble beginnings and retailer relationships are what our company is built on today . We have now grown to operate 17 distribution facilities across the US , which house more than 35,000 SKU numbers .
“ As a leading distributor of wholesale pet consumables and supplies , we not only distribute dry goods nationwide , but we also specialize in the fresh and frozen categories . Freeze-dried pet foods are one of four
We want our pets to have the top options that work for the pet parents ’ budget and lifestyle
alternative pet food forms that have grown by more than 20 percent in recent years , compared to a two-to-four percent growth rate for kibble food .
“ The fresh , raw , and freeze-dried categories , which provide pets with a high protein diet with less fillers and processed ingredients , have been gaining momentum for over two decades , and today , we deliver fresh and frozen products to more than 6500 customers across all retail channels . According to investment firm , Cascadia Capital ’ s ‘ Pet Industry Overview : Summer 2024 ’ report , freeze-dried food and treats are also less processed compared to other options , and therefore provide a limited ingredient panel to suit dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs .
“ Other benefits of raw and freeze-dried foods can be seen on the outside of your pet too , such as better skin and coat , less shedding , and less waste in the backyard ,” Sevy continues . “ However , this is not to discount the high-quality kibble and can assortment we offer as we only serve the highest quality products in all categories . We want our pets to have the top options that work for the pet parents ’ budget and lifestyle .”
In today ’ s competitive landscape , Animal Supply has adopted a robust strategy to ensure growth among its customer bases . “ We provide our customers with a consultative approach to their business strategy by providing market data insight and SKU assortment recommendations to support those customers in areas of category growth ,” Sevy elaborates . “ We recognize that innovation is key to customer success and growth in today ’ s multi-channel marketplace , but we also understand the need for us to provide a diverse product assortment to meet the specific needs of each region .
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