Teaching an old dog new tricks: How the $45B pet industry transformed and beat the economy.

In 2008 and 2009, scores of major retailers delivered a steady stream of bad news, from layoffs to store closings to bankruptcy. While the plagued economy has decimated the retail sector, one category remains seemingly unscathed by anemic consumer spending: the companion animal industry. March 25 – 27, 2010 independent retailers, distributors and mass–market buyers will gather in Orlando, Florida for the Global Pet Expo presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). The expo will feature the latest trends and hottest products in the industry.

Beginning February 25th, The Brand Show presents “Teaching an old dog new tricks: How the $45 billion pet industry transformed itself and beat the economy.” This four–part series examines the retail trends, consumer insights and marketing strategies powering the seventh largest U.S. retail segment. Join us as we seek to discover why the pet industry has more than doubled in the last decade and what we can expect from companion animal brands in the next few years.

In addition, marketers, product developers and strategists will learn:

• The best methods to understand shopper purchase behaviors.
• How to create demand for luxury products.
• The power of distribution and how small companies can generate big results.

Series Schedule:

2/25 – Bill McCoy
      Product Director, SkyMall Magazine 

2/25 – Jeff Fromm
      Owner, Three Dog Bakery

3/4 – Elisabeth Charles
      Chief Marketing Officer, PETCO

3/11 – Alexis Nahama
      Vice President of Marketing, VCA Anatec

3/18 – Bob Vetere 
      President, American Pet Products Association