Molly
06-24-2006, 08:42 PM
PetSmart Inc. thinks your dog or cat needs a vacation. The pet-products retailer said this week it is putting more emphasis on services such as "hotels" to cater to shoppers who overwhelmingly think of their pets as children.
The company plans to add 300 pet hotels — complete with separate rooms with televisions tuned to animal-themed programs — to its lineup.
The company said service is a key to PetSmart’s growth strategy as the retailer tries to keep its stores in the minds of shoppers who can find pet food, clothing and other accessories everywhere from Wal-Mart to rival Petco Animal Supplies Inc.
“We’ve proven that it’s good. We think we can prove that it’s fantastic,” Philip Francis, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer, said of the company’s service strategy.
At the company’s PetsHotel locations, “pet parents” — as PetSmart refers to pet owners — can order private or group play sessions for their furry friend and can check in on Fido by calling the hotel’s Bone Booth.
We hope he can enjoy yappy hour in the Bark-O-Lounge.
The company plans to add 300 pet hotels — complete with separate rooms with televisions tuned to animal-themed programs — to its lineup.
The company said service is a key to PetSmart’s growth strategy as the retailer tries to keep its stores in the minds of shoppers who can find pet food, clothing and other accessories everywhere from Wal-Mart to rival Petco Animal Supplies Inc.
“We’ve proven that it’s good. We think we can prove that it’s fantastic,” Philip Francis, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer, said of the company’s service strategy.
At the company’s PetsHotel locations, “pet parents” — as PetSmart refers to pet owners — can order private or group play sessions for their furry friend and can check in on Fido by calling the hotel’s Bone Booth.
We hope he can enjoy yappy hour in the Bark-O-Lounge.