In its coverage of the event, Axios reported that the economic protest comes as many everyday Americans struggle to keep up in the current financial landscape, with its high housing costs, surging egg prices and stubborn inflation.

The Feb. 28 blackout is an initiative by The People’s Union USA, which describes itself as a “grassroots movement dedicated to economic resistance, government accountability, and corporate reform.” The group says it has no political affiliation but is rather focused on uniting Americans against corporate greed. It was founded by John Schwarz, who describes his movement as raising awareness about the ways the “system is rigged” against everyday Americans.

“No Amazon, No Walmart, No Best Buy,” The People’s Union USA website reads. “Nowhere!” However, Axios notes, the blackout backers make an exception for buying “essentials of absolutely necessary” — like medicine, food or emergency supplies — but urges consumers to make those purchases at small, local businesses.

Will the boycott have a notable impact? In its “thought bubble,” Axios‘ Ben Berkowitz says probably not: Boycott threats regularly make headlines, but their impact is usually more optical than financial.

“In fact, decades of research into boycotts suggest they often end up having a counterintuitively positive effect, as a larger, silent majority votes with their dollars by shopping instead of staying home,” Berkowitz writes.

Click here for more from the Axios report.

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The incident happened at Perfect Pets on the afternoon of Feb. 23, according to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. (See security footage below. Warning: It may be upsetting to watch.)

According to a press release from the sheriff’s office:

Police are also searching for the gold Cadillac Escalade, which had no license plates and had heavily tinted windows. Authorities ask that anyone with information on the whereabouts of the puppies or the three suspects call the investigations tipline at 720-874-8477. Callers can remain anonymous.

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Specifically, the survey found that 66% of consumers would refuse letting AI make purchases on their behalf even if they get a better deal, despite recognizing AI’s benefits in shopping. When asked which current AI-powered features they found most useful, 38% of shoppers cited personalized product recommendations, while 31% said AI helps them discover products faster.

However, while consumers appreciate AI’s ability to enhance the browsing experience, they draw the line when it comes to AI making final purchasing decisions for them.

“Consumers are open to AI enhancing their shopping experience, but there’s a big difference between receiving personalized recommendations and handing over full purchasing control,” says Greg Zakowicz, a Senior Ecommerce Expert at Omnisend. “Large-scale adoption of AI-driven purchasing requires a fundamental shift in consumer behavior — and that’s not happening anytime soon. Shoppers want to know exactly what they’re buying, whether it’s a size, color, or brand. Trusting an AI to make those decisions autonomously is a tough sell.”

Here’s what the survey findings mean for brands moving forward, Zakowicz says:

• Trust-building must be a priority. Retailers must be transparent about data usage and give customers granular control of their information. Integrating AI in a way that genuinely benefits shoppers and not just boosts sales reinforces that trust.
• Personalization vs. intrusiveness. Relevant recommendations can improve the shopping experience, but excessive retargeting pushes consumers away. Providing shoppers control over how and when they receive suggestions reduces the “creepiness” factor.
• The need for human-centered AI. Chatbots can handle common questions efficiently but must escalate complex issues to real people. Solutions based on actual customer needs come across as supportive rather than purely sales-driven.
• Consumers demand reliability. Repeated AI errors quickly erode trust. Retailers that continuously refine their AI tools and address user feedback can significantly boost performance.

Click here for more from the survey.

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A press release shared first with PETS+ reads: “In a defining move, Pet Food Experts (PFX) has acquired select assets of Animal Supply Company (ASC), solidifying its position as the nation’s largest and most influential pet specialty distributor.”

The next sentence includes the unexpected: “With this expansion, Michael Baker returns to lead PFX as CEO and president following Greg Cyr’s decision to step down.”

The press release continues:

As part of this strategic move, PFX now operates the largest cold-chain network in the industry, offering fresh and frozen direct-to-store service to a wide range of customers: pet superstores, national and regional chains, farm and feed stores, and neighborhood pet shops — PFX’s core customer base.

Additionally, ASC’s 3PL direct-to-consumer and veterinary clinic capabilities will integrate into PFX’s expanded distribution network. A key tenet of this acquisition is revitalizing ASC’s once-dominant market share, particularly in serving neighborhood pet stores across the U.S. This transaction significantly expands Pet Food Experts’ geographic footprint, strengthens its infrastructure, and enhances its distribution capabilities, setting a new standard for logistics and best-in-class service.

“We are excited to integrate the strengths of ASC, particularly their battle-tested, hardworking, and resilient team,” said Michael Baker, CEO and president of Pet Food Experts. “The opportunity to unite two legacies, each founded on a shared dedication to service excellence and strong relationships, has been nearly a decade in the making. By incorporating these strategic assets into our network, we are unlocking new opportunities to deliver unparalleled value to our retail and vendor partners.”

“This acquisition marks a transformative moment for PFX and the broader pet distribution landscape,” said John Tracy, Executive Chairman of Dot Family Holdings. “It underscores our strategic focus on sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and long-term value creation.”

“PFX has long been a distinguished leader in the industry, and this acquisition marks a significant step forward,” said Tim Batterson, CEO & President of Animal Supply Company. “Throughout my eleven years at ASC, Michael and I have shared a vision for this partnership, and I’m excited to collaborate with him and the entire team to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.”

This acquisition cements PFX as the most defensible market leader in pet specialty distribution, strengthening its competitive edge with an unmatched logistics network, expanded service capabilities, and deep-rooted industry relationships. By integrating ASC’s strategic assets, PFX is not only expanding its geographic reach but also enhancing operational efficiencies, diversifying distribution channels, and reinforcing its commitment to independent pet retailers. With a shared legacy of excellence and innovation, PFX is poised to redefine industry standards, deliver unparalleled value to partners, and shape the future of pet specialty distribution.

About Pet Food Experts: Pet Food Experts (PFX) is the #1 pet specialty distributor in the U.S., proudly serving over 10,000 pet retailers nationwide. With decades of experience, we’re not just a distributor—we’re a trusted partner, driving innovation and building meaningful relationships. Our industry-leading logistics network, which includes the largest cold-chain service in the industry, powers fresh and frozen deliveries to pet superstores, regional chains, farm & feed stores, independent pet shops, and 3PL direct-to-consumer and veterinary clinic channels. We are dedicated to nurturing a healthy, vibrant pet ecosystem that supports the well-being of pets and the communities they call home.
Learn more at www.petfoodexperts.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and our company blog.

We will continue to update this story as additional information becomes available.

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“Despite the challenges small business owners are facing, the demand for capital and investment in growth is unwavering,” said Eyal Lifshitz, Co-Founder and CEO of Bluevine. “Even with inflation, rising costs and a rocky economy, these business owners are staying the course, investing in growth and looking at the long game. It’s clear that even in uncertain times, they’re committed to making things work and positioning themselves for success.”

Specifically, optimism among SBOs is higher than ever, with 79% of business owners expressing confidence in their overall business outlook, up from 73% found in the Mid-Year BOSS Report. Expectations for profitability have risen from 72% to 77%, and revenue forecasts have increased from 70% to 76%. Despite ongoing economic challenges, SBOs remain optimistic about their future growth.

Study #2:

An even more upbeat outlook was reflected in the findings of the latest Small Business Cash Flow Trend Report from OnDeck, a small-business lending company at Enova whose clients include independent shop owners, and Ocrolus, the document AI and cash flow analytics platform for lenders.

“Small businesses are entering the new year with confidence, and we’re seeing that optimism translate into plans for expansion and hiring,” said Jim Granat, Co-President of Small Business at Enova.

Key findings from this survey, which is based on responses from 454 small businesses with working capital loans and over 2 million small business applications for working capital financing during the past 15 months, include:

• Optimism and growth: 94% of small businesses anticipate significant or moderate growth in 2025, a 2% increase compared to Q3 2024.
• Top challenges: 37% of small businesses cited inflation as a top concern, followed by 30% of respondents who see cash flow as their main challenge in the current economic environment.
• Access to working capital: More small businesses are turning to alternative lenders for their financing needs, as 76% of respondents bypassed applying for traditional bank loans, up from 62% in Q4 2023.

Click here for more from the Bluevine survey and here for that done by OnDeck and Ocrolus.

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“The rise of remote work and continued investments in economic growth and quality of life have positioned the heartland as an emerging epicenter for the next generation of talent,” said Ross DeVol, the group’s Chairman and CEO. “We are committed to supporting these communities as they leverage this momentum, unlocking new opportunities and boosting their economies.”

Some key findings from the report:

• Heartland metros like Austin, Texas, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nashville and Chicago now rank among the top 20 large metros for college graduates.
• Smaller heartland metros and college towns like Ann Arbor, Mich., Madison, Wis., and Columbia, Mo., lead the nation in concentrations of both college graduates and creative-class professionals.
• Austin, Texas, leads all large U.S. metros in the growth of college graduates between 2019 and 2023, followed by Indianapolis; Grand Rapids, Mich., Milwaukee, Nashville and Dallas.
• Florence-Muscle Shoals, Ala., leads all small and medium-sized metros in creative class growth, followed by Tuscaloosa, Ala., Lima, Ohio, and Lawrence, Kan.

“The heartland’s ability to attract and grow a highly educated, creative workforce reflects its rising importance in the national economy,” said Richard Florida, Senior Fellow at Heartland Forward and author of “The Rise of the Creative Class” and “The New Urban Crisis.” “By leveraging affordability, quality of life and investments in innovation, heartland metros are fast emerging as vibrant hubs of opportunity and growth.”

Click here for more from the study.

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“All five index components deteriorated this month, led by a 19% plunge in buying conditions for durables,” said Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu. “Expectations for personal finances and the short-run economic outlook both declined almost 10% in February, while the long-run economic outlook fell back about 6% to its lowest reading since November 2023. “

While sentiment fell for both Democrats and Independents, it was unchanged for Republicans, reflecting continued disagreements on the consequences of new economic policies.

Meantime, year-ahead inflation expectations jumped up from 3.3% last month to 4.3% this month, the highest reading since November 2023 and marking two consecutive months of unusually large increases. The current reading is now well above the 2.3-3.0% range seen in the two years prior to the pandemic.

In addition, long-run inflation expectations rose over the course of the month and climbed from 3.2% in January to 3.5% in February. This is the largest month-over-month increase seen since May 2021. For both short- and long-run inflation expectations, this month’s increases were widespread and seen across income and age groups. Inflation expectations rose this month for Independents and Democrats alike; they fell slightly for Republicans.

Click here for more from the survey.

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Much of that spending stems from uncertainties about the impact of President Donald Trump’s planned tariffs.

“Researchers at S&P Global estimate the new tariffs could trigger a one-time increase of 0.5% to 0.7% in U.S. consumer prices, assuming the tariffs remain in effect through 2025,” says John Egan, credit cards, insurance and personal finance expert contributor for CreditCards.com. “But it’s too soon to say precisely how the new tariffs imposed by President Trump are affecting consumer spending. However, they very well could cause some consumers to rethink their buying habits, especially when it comes to major purchases.”

Here’s a bit of drill down into the “doom spending” numbers: it consists of 5% of respondents saying they would definitely use that label to describe their spending patterns, while another 13% say they are 13% say they are probably doing so.

Some other findings from the survey

• 30% of Americans say they are purchasing items in preparation for another pandemic, possibly from avian influenza A (H5N1).
• 42% of Americans are or will start stockpiling items, mainly food and toilet paper.
• The most stockpiled items include non-perishable food (76%) and toilet paper (72%). Nearly half (49%) stocked up on medical supplies, and 44% purchased over-the-counter medications. Smaller portions secured water-filtration systems (21%), home goods or appliances (23%), personal care products (25%), or firearms and ammunition (15%).

Click here for more from the survey.

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The timeline of events began on Jan. 30, when a retailer alerted Savage Pet about HPAI found in a Colorado cat, who subsequently recovered. The illness was purportedly connected to the California company’s raw cat food.

Once learning of the possible connection, Savage Pet reached out to the Colorado State Veterinarian to verify the information, and while awaiting a response, the company was contacted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on Feb. 11 with updates. Savage Pet issued a letter to consumers on Feb. 17 explaining the situation.

To date, Colorado State University Laboratory has conducted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for HPAI on sealed packets of Savage Cat Food (lot number 11152026), which resulted in the “not-negative” classification. Two additional lot codes were also tested, and the results for those were negative.

“Not-negative” is a technical laboratory term indicating preliminary results. To confirm infectivity, virus isolation testing is necessary. Samples from the lot in question are at NVSL in Ames, IA, for this testing.

While awaiting full results, as a precaution, Savage Pet reached out to all retailers who may have received the product in question, manufactured and sold in November 2024. The impacted product was sold in 24 Large Chicken Boxes and 18 Small Chicken Boxes in Colorado and the Mountain territory; in 30 Large Chicken Boxes in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic territory; in 12 Large Chicken Boxes in Washington and the Pacific Northwest territory; and in 54 Small Chicken Boxes in California, Arizona and Nevada.

Once learning of the announcement, Eric Mack, owner of Purrrfect Bark in Columbus, NC, verified the lot numbers of Savage Cat Food products in his store but didn’t have any that matched so is continuing to monitor updates with what he called “a low level of concern.”

“Savage Cat is about 10-12% of our raw cat sales,” he said. “We anticipate that will continue.”

Since the impacted SKUs did not reach his store, there was no need to reach out to customers about the protocol, but the store is always willing to refund and replace items if there is concern from customers.

Savage Pet advises consumers who have already purchased the item to cook the packets in a sous vide at 165°F or return them to the retailer for a full refund.

“Savage Pet has always been dedicated to the health of its feline consumers,” the company wrote in its letter. “All of our poultry ingredients are USDA inspected and passed. Our suppliers follow the National Poultry Improvement Plan and work under daily USDA inspection. Savage Pet has adhered to Good Manufacturing Practices and sanitation standard operating procedures for almost 10 years.”

Brady has committed to providing updates as new information becomes available.

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In a recent survey of 1000 American baby boomers, only 10% reported being fully retired, with three highs—the cost of living, housing prices and healthcare costs – forcing some of the aging population to rethink retirement. Unlike previous generations, older Americans can’t rely on pensions or Social Security being enough to live on; therefore, temporary work can help maintain their standard of living.

Indeed, “un-retirement” may be the next big thing, with 83% reporting they would consider temporary work and 61% saying they prefer retail, hospitality and business support sectors.

“Boomers’ working longer or un-retiring presents opportunities for employers,” notes Novo Constare, CEO and Co-Founder of Indeed Flex, an online marketplace for flexible and temporary work. “Older workers bring experience, strong work ethics and knowledge that benefit businesses needing to fill positions … [For the workers], temporary work is a good bridge to make ends meet.”

Click here for more from the survey.

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“The FDA’s audit did not contain any findings related to H5N1 or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), and the FDA did not identify the source of the alleged contamination found in the opened bag of our product. Additionally, our product was never included in the FDA’s list of Recalls & Withdrawals, which can be found at https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/safety-health/recalls-withdrawals. Upon the completion of FDA’s audit, we updated the status of our voluntary recall with ODA to ‘closed’ and the recall has since been terminated.”

Jennifer Flanagan, owner of Pacific NW Pets in Sherwood, OR, sold the Northwest Naturals food that was the source of the recall. She responded to the recall’s termination: “I was 100% confident that the initial ODA findings were false. Morasch Meats has a food USDA office on-site, and its farm sourcing is precise. The farm that the turkey came from has had zero cases. The only way bird flu could have contaminated the customer’s bag was privately in the home.” Flanagan had stated during the recall that the cat who had died was not “strictly an indoor cat,” as the ODA had reported.

Flanagan also shared how she and her team responded to concerned pet parents during the recall: “Customers were concerned, and we explained that the batch had been sold since August 2024, so for this to be the only report speaks for itself. We also let customers know that the ODA went against protocol and ONLY tested a bag from the home and released false information before testing unopened bags of the same batch from the facility.”

Northwest Naturals posted the update in a letter to customers on its website:

See the company’s full FAQ on the recall.

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“The world’s most admired companies don’t earn their ranking through financial results alone. They also get there through the reputation of their leadership, their ability to attract and retain top talent, and a strong culture,” said Laura Manson-Smith, Korn Ferry’s Global Leader of Organization Strategy Consulting. “The best strategy on paper is worth nothing without an engaged and skilled workforce to make it happen.”

Here’s the complete list of the WMAC’s Top 10 All-Stars:

• Apple
• Microsoft
• Amazon
• Nvidia
• Berkshire Hathaway
• Costco Wholesale
• JPMorgan Chase
• Walmart
• Alphabet
• American Express

To create the list of 50 most admired companies, Korn Ferry and Fortune analyzed 650 businesses and surveyed more than 3300 executives to measure reputation based on nine different attributes, including each firm’s effectiveness in conducting business globally, its ability to attract, develop, and keep talent, its value as a long-term investment, its innovativeness, its wise use of corporate assets, and its responsibility to the community and environment.

This is the roster’s 27th year.

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What does the future hold for the grocery business? A new book explores some possibilities. PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO

Based loosely on “A Christmas Carol,” Charles Dickens’ story of ghosts and redemption, grocery expert Scott Moses has released a new book that explores the transformation in America from “Supermarkets Past” – including the meteoric rise over the past 20 years of national/discount grocers Walmart, Target, Costco, Amazon, Aldi and Dollar General – to “Supermarkets Present.” The 222-page book also reviews the importance of scale, grocery M&A and regulatory attempts to curtail it, as well as the potential consequences of these dynamics in alternative versions of “Supermarkets Future.”

PHOTO: Solomon Partners

Moses, Head of Grocery, Pharmacy & Restaurants at financial advisory firm Solomon Partners, titled his book, “A ‘Grocery’ Christmas Carol: The Ghost of Supermarkets Future.”

“Supermarket grocers have served as pillars of thousands of American communities for generations, feeding our families and providing great jobs,” Moses said. “During Covid-19, we all saw firsthand how essential our local supermarket grocers are to our lives; but they are under existential threat from national/discount grocers. I wrote this book to provide a dashboard of grocery facts, call attention to the changes our industry has experienced and highlight the risks of a regulatory environment that prevents supermarket grocers from building the scale they need to remain competitive in the long run and avoid the fate of department stores, which we all have witnessed as well.”

The book has drawn praise from several industry executives, including:

• Jim Donald, a veteran of Albertsons and Starbucks, who said, “While industry geeks like me will really enjoy this read, so too will anyone else who shops for groceries.”

and

• Heritage Grocers CEO Suzy Monford, who said, “This should become the textbook of our time, and should be required readers for grocers, CPG companies and economics majors.”

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“Consumers pulled back in January, taking a breather after a stronger-than-expected holiday season,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “Despite the monthly decline, the year-over-year increases reflect overall consumer strength as a strong job market and wage gains above the rate of inflation continue to support spending. We’re seeing a ‘choiceful’ and value-conscious consumer who is rotating spending across goods and services and essentials and non-essentials, boosting some sectors while causing challenges in others.”

Total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gasoline, were down 1.07% seasonally adjusted month over month but up 5.44% unadjusted year over year in January, according to the Retail Monitor. That compared with increases of 1.74% month over month and 7.24% year over year in December.

January sales were up in seven out of nine categories on a yearly basis, led by online sales, health and personal care stores, and clothing and accessories stores. Sales were up in three categories on a monthly basis. Specifics from key sectors include:

• Online and other non-store sales were up 0.44% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 30.49% year over year unadjusted.
• Health and personal care stores were up 0.77% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 10.39% year over year unadjusted.
• Clothing and accessories stores were down 2.96% month over month seasonally adjusted but up 7.67% year over year unadjusted.
• General merchandise stores were down 2.43% month over month seasonally adjusted but up 7.53% year over year unadjusted.
• Grocery and beverage stores were down 0.23% month over month seasonally adjusted but up 5.65% year over year unadjusted.
• Sporting goods, hobby, music and bookstores were down 1.89% month over month seasonally adjusted but up 2.82% year over year unadjusted.
• Electronics and appliance stores were down 1.46% month over month seasonally adjusted but up 1.57% year over year unadjusted.
• Furniture and home furnishings stores were down 2.03% month over month seasonally adjusted and down 0.27% year over year unadjusted.
• Building and garden supply stores were up 0.27% month over month seasonally adjusted but down 0.99% year over year unadjusted.

Unlike survey-based numbers collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Retail Monitor uses actual, anonymized credit and debit card purchase data compiled by Affinity Solutions and does not need to be revised monthly or annually.

Click here for more from the report.

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This tariff on Chinese products has independent pet retailers asking how it will affect availability and cost of hard goods from some of their favorite brands — and strategizing how to maintain stock levels and current pricing for as long as possible.

“Our toys are 75% from China,” said Patty Dill, owner of Doggie Sweets in Long Branch, NJ. “I stocked up to hold us over until they figure it out.”

As the governments involved negotiate, manufacturers such as 3TBrands, maker of Tall Tails and Territory brands of toys, beds and other products made in China, are prioritizing clear communication with their retail partners.

“Retailers are asking questions, and we’re committed to transparency — keeping them informed with regular updates and strategic insights,” said 3TBrands CEO and President Joel Kaplan. He shared the company’s status: “Today, based on the current policy set at 10%, and assuming there are no unexpected logistics disruptions, thanks to cooperation with our supply-chain partners, we are maintaining our current pricing and are well positioned to be in-stock to support our distributor and retail partners’ needs over the coming months. If the tariff is long-lasting and/or the net effects on total costs increase beyond this 10% range, we will need to have some price adjustment as the economics are not sustainable. Fortunately, our deep strategic relationships with our factory partners have proven to offer resilience to minimize the impact on our customers.”

Fluff & Tuff owner and President Ellen Lawson also pointed to the strong relationships her toy company has built and how that will help provide stability during this time.

“With so much changing quickly, it is challenging to say exactly what the future of pricing or availability will be. What I can say, though, is that we will conduct our business as we always have over the last 15 years — with complete transparency and with our retailers in mind. We strive to be a very fair partner and will do our best to control what we can,” she said. “It’s always my goal to provide consistency for our partners — as there may be outside events out of our control, though, if there was ever a chance we would need to modify our current pricing, I would give our retailers ample notice. Currently, I have no plans to make any changes to our pricing this year.”

Lawson provided an update, as well, that not all of the company’s toys come from Chinese factories today.

“We have a significant amount of our manufacturing already located outside of China. We began moving a small amount to our manufacturer’s sister factory outside of China in 2017 and have slowly increased that amount. We currently produce more there [in another factory in Asia] than we do in China, and it is all managed by our original, family-owned manufacturing partner. We can shift the majority of our production there at any time.”

Independent pet retailers also have voiced concerns about how tariffs may impact the cost and sales of pet products made in the U.S., on top of ongoing competition with online-only stores.

“We only have hard goods that come from China, like toys, leads and collars, beds and crates,” said Claudia Loomis, owner of CB Pet Market in Washington, NJ. “We have already been experiencing a drop in sales in these areas because of continued inflation and price competition from Chewy and Amazon. I’m not sure if we will see an additional blip in sales when a China tariff price increase hits. I am fairly certain that the American-made products we do carry in these categories also will have price increases due to increased demand and if manufacturers are paying a higher price for imported components to make their products. It is just economics.”

Adam Baker, owner of U.S. enrichment toy maker SodaPup, said he welcomes an increase in demand.

“We are preparing to sell more. All of our products are made in the USA and all of our materials come from the USA, so we do not anticipate price increases nor availability challenges. As Chinese-made products become more expensive, it levels the playing field. Many consumers want to buy American but choose to buy Chinese-made products because they are less expensive. So I think the tariffs will make it easier for consumers to choose American,” he said, but added what the wider impact of tariffs could be on product sales. “The flip side is that total demand may go down as consumers manage their budgets.”

West Paw, based in Montana, also reported stability at this time thanks to an almost entirely U.S. supply chain.

“Tariffs have had very little effect on our suppliers,” said company President Peter Cleary. “Therefore, we have no plans to pass along any price changes to our retailers at this point, nor do we anticipate any disruptions to product availability. As retailers experience availability issues or price increases from Chinese-made products, our primary focus is to provide them with a consistent, timely supply of West Paw products to delight their customers.”

He has had conversations with non-U.S. retailer partners about how tariffs could impact them. “The primary concerns we’ve heard from retailers is from those located outside of the U.S., who may face additional tariffs on USA-made products like ours. At this point, our response is to wait and see how the tariffs are implemented. The tariffs most likely to affect a majority of our international customers are currently paused or not yet announced (like retaliatory tariffs for U.S. goods shipped to Canada, or potential future retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods shipped to the EU, respectively).”

While the tariff on Canadian goods has been paused, food companies in the country continue to communicate and prepare, offering support to U.S. retailers.

Carna4 co-owner and co-founder Maria Ringo shared this statement on behalf of herself and co-owner and co-founder Dave Stauble: “We are standing right beside our retailer partners, defending all of them through this chaos, first and foremost. Yes, we’re getting a lot of calls, and our team is all hands on deck! We’ll be communicating as we get more information. We want to reassure our Carna4 family that Dave and I are in constant talks with our distributor and retail partners to find a way through this together.”

Ringo relayed what efforts the company has made to keep availability steady and any price increases to retailers minimal.

“That depends on how long the tariffs are in place, but months ago we already started stockpiling many extra months worth of stock in our U.S. warehouse to give us plenty of time to wait this out, hopefully, or make a good decision if tariffs persist. If tariffs persist and we must raise our prices, it will be our first price increase in over two years, and it will be less than you might expect. Canada has negotiated a 30-day pause in U.S. tariffs, so we are hopeful a sensible solution can be agreed upon between our two countries that totally avoids a trade war. We are not leaving our U.S. market and will do everything in our power to keep supply steady.”

Again, preparing for stability remains front and center for Canadian companies FirstMate Pet Foods and Petcurean.

Matt Wilson, general manager of sales and marketing at FirstMate, said, “We are closely monitoring the pending tariffs between Canada and the U.S. While we recognize the potential impact on the pet food industry, we remain committed to a thoughtful and measured approach. Our focus is on ensuring stability for our customers and partners, and we will continue to evaluate any necessary adjustments with careful consideration.”

And Petcurean shared its approach in a company statement: “We are continuing to actively monitor this very fluid situation. We are taking immediate actions and making longer-term plans to mitigate potential impacts tariffs may have on our valued customers on both sides of the border. Our purpose is to give dogs and cats happier, healthier and longer lives, and we remain committed to that. We do not expect any changes to the availability of our nourishing recipes that our family of Petcurean pets and pet parents have come to rely on and love.”

We will continue to update this story as the situation evolves. If you are a pet product manufacturer impacted by these tariffs, you can share company updates via editor@petsplusmag.com.

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With the subject line of “Notice of Reductions in Force and a Permanent Plant Closure,” the email from Kady Steele, senior director of human resources at ASC, began with, “I am writing on behalf of Animal Supply Company LLC (the “Company”) to give you notice of reductions in force and a plant closure that may be occurring at the Company.”

The email stated that: “The Company has been facing a deterioration of business conditions and a liquidity crunch, which has resulted in an urgent need to conserve cash in order to continue as a going concern. In order to remain fully operational and prevent a mass layoff or business shutdown, the Company has been working with its investment banker and its secured lenders to obtain additional funding, including, but not limited to, pursuing several options for a purchase of assets by a qualified buyer.”

Steele let employees know that ASC has a “letter of interest” from distributor Pet Food Experts (PFX), but that, “The parties have not yet entered into a binding agreement, and the Company continues to negotiate with Pet Food Experts regarding the specific terms of sale.”

She went on to state that if ASC and PFX did not enter a binding agreement, layoffs may begin as early as Friday, Feb. 7, or within 14 days thereafter, and that the Grand Prairie facility would shut down by Feb. 21. If the sale to PFX goes, ASC would lay off all employees and shut down the facility no later than Feb. 21 in connection with that transaction. Steele also stated that PFX may reach out to employees to offer employment opportunities.

We have reached out to ASC for comment and clarification on certain elements in this email. We also reached out to PFX for comment and have not yet heard back, but a retailer did share with us an email that went out Friday from PFX CEO Greg Cyr. It states:

“You may have already heard through other channels, but I wanted to personally update you on an important development. Pet Food Experts is in negotiations to acquire select assets of Animal Supply Company. While the agreement is not yet final, we believe this strategic move aligns with our long-term vision of expanding our capabilities to better serve you.

“Throughout this process, our commitment to you remains unchanged. We will continue to deliver the same high levels of service, efficiency, and support you rely on. We are dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition and will keep you informed as things progress.

“Thank you for your continued trust in Pet Food Experts. We are excited about the future and look forward to continuing to serve you.”

Read the email to ASC employees in its entirety:

We will continue to update this story as it develops.

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The above comes on the heels of a busy 2024, which showed major retailers shuttered 7325 stores for the year, resulting in an estimated 119.3 million square feet (gross) of closed retail space. That was the greatest number of closures since pandemic-impacted 2020, when Coresight tracked almost 10,000 closures. The closures had an average store size of 16,291 square feet.

Some other stats of note from the just-finished year:

• Major retailers opened 5970 stores in 2024, resulting in an estimated 96.5 million square feet (gross) of new retail space. The new openings had an average store size of 16,164 square feet.
• By sector, general-merchandise discount stores closed 1754 stores, taking the top spot for US closures by sector (at 23.9% of total closures), followed by the apparel sector, which closed 1383 stores.
• General-merchandise discount stores also led the way in terms of US store openings by sector, opening 1767 stores in 2024 (29.5% of total openings), followed by the apparel sector (which includes clothing, footwear and accessories stores), which opened 1478 stores.
• By location type, off-mall retailers opened the most stores but also saw the most store closures. Off-mall retailers closed 6014 stores (82.1% of total closures) and opened 5025 stores (84.1% of total openings).

Despite the relatively high number of closings expected in upcoming months, Coresight is upbeat about what the coming year will hold for retailers.

“A strong 2024 holiday performance, positive trends in our consumer sentiment metrics and generally upbeat macroeconomic indicators suggest reasons for optimism for robust retail spending in 2025,” the report notes.

Click here to register/buy the full closings report.

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“The resilience of the franchise business model not only helped the sector survive the uncertainty of recent years, but thrive in the face of challenging economic conditions,” said IFA President and CEO Matt Haller. “A more favorable economic and regulatory climate have created new optimism and confidence for the year ahead. For those considering a franchise investment or IFA members growing their brands, 2025 is poised to be a banner year, and franchising remains a major driver of growth and upward economic mobility.”

The IFA report showed that franchise growth exceeded projections for 2024, even in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty and policy headwinds. On top of the 2.2% growth experienced in 2024, which exceeded the 1.9% projection, the report forecasts that franchises will grow an additional 2.4% in 2025, a faster rate than the 1.9% projected for the broader economy by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

Key findings from the 2025 Franchising Economic Outlook include:

• The number of franchise establishments will increase by more than 20,000 units, or 2.5%, to 851,000 total units.
• In 2025, franchising is expected to add approximately 210,000 jobs, growing at a rate of 2.4%, bringing franchising employment to more than 9 million jobs.
• Franchising employment grew by 2.2% in 2024, adding more than 189,000 jobs.
• The top 10 fastest-growing states for franchise growth are: Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Arizona, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, Colorado and Maryland.

The report was compiled in conjunction with research and analytical firm FRANdata. Click here for more from the forecast.

The post Big Year (Just Finished and Ahead) for Franchising appeared first on PETSPLUSMAG.COM.

A company announcement states:

“STATESVILLE, NC – January 31, 2025– Blue Ridge Beef is recalling 5,700 lbs. of their 2 lb. log Natural Mix due to a contamination of Salmonella. Lot # N25/12/31 (Lot numbers are stamped in the clips on the end of the chubs/bags) UPC# 854298001054.”

“Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

“Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

“Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

“Samples of the product was collected on 01/08/25 by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and tested by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Food and Drug Protection Laboratory. The product tested positive for Salmonella.

“On 01/27/2025 the firm was notified by the FDA that the product tested positive for Salmonella.

“The products were distributed between January 3/2025 to January 24/2025. The product is packaged in clear plastic and sold primarily in retail stores located in the States of: [Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York State, Tennessee, Rhode Island.

“Products affected are: Product: Natural Mix. Size: 2 lb. UPC: 854298001054. Lot numbers: N26/12/31 (lot).

“Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to return to place of purchase or destroy the food in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access. Do not sell or donate the recalled products. Do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals. Wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers. Always ensure you wash and sanitize your hands after handling recalled food or any utensils that come in contact with recalled food. For more information contact blueridgebeefnc@yahoo.com or 704-873-2072

“This recall is being made with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration.

Company Contact Information
Consumers:
704-873-2072
blueridgebeefnc@yahoo.com“

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Against a backdrop of scarce available retail space, intense competition among tenants vying for prime locations is now playing out across the U.S. Developers continue to be challenged to make new ground-up retail development deals pencil at today’s costs at current rent levels. This environment should support further rent gains for landlords and allow supply-constrained conditions to persist for the foreseeable future.

“While store closures weigh on the current level of net absorption, they also provide needed supply for growth-minded tenants,” the report states. “Market participants report exceptionally strong backfill demand for spaces as they go dark, with some locations able to secure rent increases of 40% or more.”

Leasing activity remains concentrated in smaller spaces of under 2500 square feet, where activity is being overwhelmingly driven by growth from quick-service restaurants and personal services. Tenants such as Starbucks, Crumbl Cookies, Yum! Brands (whose holdings include KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut) and Restaurant Brands International (owner of BK, Tim Hortons, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs), all have signed up for dozens of new locations over the past year.

Click here for more from the report.

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