U.S. and Canada: Page 88

Nature's Variety begins Facebook initiative to donate to North American shelters

Nature’s Variety began a Facebook photo initiative to donate boxes of Instinct Grain-Free Biscuits to shelters throughout North America, now through December 31. For every photo posted to the Nature’s Variety Facebook page of pets enjoying Instinct Biscuits or other Nature’s Variety treats, the company will donate a box of its Instinct Grain-Free Biscuits to four shelters across North America, as well as a randomly chosen shelter submitted by Nature's Variety's Facebook friends.

Stella & Chewy's donates petfood to New York, Illinois, Wisconsin, USA, animal shelters

Stella & Chewy’s donated six, 50-pound boxes of freeze-dried chicken to animal shelters in New York, Illinois and Wisconsin, USA. “It’s wonderful to get a donation from Stella & Chewy’s, helping us reduce costs in the foster program.

PetFlow online petfood retailer provides deilvery to customers for US$4.95

PetFlow is an online petfood retailer that allows pet owners to have petfood delivered directly to their homes. PetFlow offers 70 brands of dog and cat food/treats that ship in the US for a flat-rate delivery fee of US$4.95.

American Consumer Satisfaction Index for petfood drops 1% for third quarter

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) for petfood fell 1% for the third quarter to 83, but remained one of the highest scoring products with no company ever scoring below 79. After almost two years of stalling scores, the overall ASCI also fell 0.3%, bringing it to 75.7 on a 0-100 point scale.

Food safety bill set for US Senate passage

A long-delayed food safety bill is up for US Senate consideration and is expected to be passed within a week. The bill was passed by both the House and the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee in 2009 before being put on the Senate's back burner.

2011 AAFCO Pet Food Labeling Workshop to be held in Florida

The 2011 Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Pet Food Labeling Workshop will be held on January 17 in St. Pete's Beach, Florida, USA. The event is relevant to anyone who makes treats, is a food control official, is a petfood marketer, handles petfood label compliance or writes copy for catalogues, labels or the Internet.

All American Pet Co. reformulates petfood to be 'natural'

All American Pet Co. Inc. reformulated all of its products to qualify as "natural" dog food. This reformulation comes at a time when US retail sales of natural pet products are growing at double digit rates, according to the company.

MPM Products may business to the US

Cheshire, UK-based MPM Products currently distributes its petfood products to 29 countries and may be looking to expand its business to the US, reported the Manchester Evening News. Sales at MPM Products have increased 50% since last year and the company expects another 50% growth over the next 12 months, with revenues of £12 million (US$16.6 million) in 2011.

Latest 'Chew on This' podcast available

A new "Chew on This" podcast, focusing on "organic" in the grocery store, is now available. Dr. Christine Hoang, assistant director of the American Veterinary Medical Association's Scientific Activities Division, will discuss what the term "organic" really means, who develops the guidelines and how the US Department of Agriculture's Organic sticker gets onto the food that ends up in the grocery aisles.

U.S. and Canada

Market Report: Pet owners carry economic restraint into 2011

The first-quarter 2010 installment of this column stated that, true to its recession-resistant claim to fame, the US pet industry added US$2.5 billion in the midst of the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression, rising 4.8% in 2009 to reach a total of US$53 billion. But it also noted that economy-wise, 2010 would not be a cake-walk, as the word “restraint” continued to characterize how Americans shop and what they buy, making petfood appeals based on health, safety, convenience, comfort, practicality and professionalism more important than ever.

Experian Simmons regularly asks US pet owners if they expected to be economically better off in 12 months. The responses have remained consistent since fall 2008 through earlier this year.

US consumer spending on pet supplies rises 7%

Consumer spending for the US rose 1.4% in the first eight months of the year, helped by a 7% increase in spending in the pet products industry, according to USA Today. The rise in pet product spending shows consumers are buying more luxury goods.

Nestle predicts petfood sales over US$ 1 billion in Latin America

Nestle SA expects petfood sales to surpass US$1 billion in Latin America next year as consumers there start buying supplies designed for dogs and cats, according to a Bloomberg article. In the article, Nestle Purina's Chief Executive W. Patrick McGinnis said sales in Latin American countries like Brazil are growing at nearly 20% a year, as incomes of pet owners rise.

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