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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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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“It’s reasonable to expect some slowdown from the vigorous 2024 holiday season, so January’s numbers are not a surprise and don’t contradict the consumer spending trends we experienced,” Kleinhenz said. “The slower spending reflects weaker payroll growth in January, and higher prices remain a challenge for most households. Cold weather in many parts of the country and wildfires in California were likely headwinds that disrupted demand and consumer patterns. Nonetheless, these results point to a stable economy and provide a solid start to 2025.”

The Census Bureau said overall retail sales in January were down 0.9% seasonally adjusted month over month but up 4.2% unadjusted year over year. That compared with increases of 0.7% month over month and 4.4% year over year in December.

January’s core retail sales as defined by NRF — based on the Census data but excluding automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants — were also down 0.9% seasonally adjusted month over month but up 4% unadjusted year over year. Core sales were up 4.1% year over year on a three-month moving average.

The results come after core retail sales grew 4% year over year during the 2024 holiday season and 3.6% for the full year.

Earlier this week, the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, reported that core retail sales were down 1.27% seasonally adjusted month over month in January but up 5.72% unadjusted year over year. That compared with increases of 2.19% month over month and 8.41% year over year in December.

As the leading authority and voice for the retail industry, NRF provides data on retail sales each month and also forecasts annual retail sales and spending for key periods such as the holiday season each year.

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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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Using insights about cat behavior based on years of study from Purina scientists and behaviorists, Gems is designed with cats in mind, delivering the paté and gravy that cats love in an elegant pyramid shape that allows cats to savor every bite and transform everyday feeding into a moment of indulgence. For cat owners, Gems makes mealtime simple. Each single-serve paté peels and plates easily – just peel the top and place on your cat’s favorite dish for perfectly sized paté portions they’ll love every time.

Fancy Feast is transforming the mealtime experience of cats with the nationwide launch of Fancy Feast Gems. Designed with cats in mind, the latest offering consists of the paté and gravy cats love in an elegant pyramid shape.

Designing Excellence – and Delight – in Every Detail
Raising the bar on wet cat food innovation, Gems combines form and function in an elevated culinary experience built to delight. This first-of-its-kind product form features a patented packaging design, optimized small portion size, and proprietary formulations for both the paté’s smooth mousse texture and gravy that maximizes palatability and functionality. Purina product developers perfected a specialized filling process that maintains the gravy’s perfect viscosity, ensuring the signature cascading effect with every serving.

“Fancy Feast has been crafting mealtime moments with love for more than 30 years, and our vast knowledge of cat feeding behavior went into every aspect of Gems – ensuring that each detail adds to the mealtime experience,” said Dr. Annie Valuska, pet behavior scientist with Purina. “For example, the unique pyramid shape creates a larger surface area for the gravy cats love, and the softer texture of the mousse ensures it is easy for cats to enjoy their meal, whether they prefer to lap up or bite into their food.”

Fancy Feast Gems are 100% complete and balanced for adult cats. Available in delicate paté recipes featuring beef, chicken, tuna, or salmon, each topped with signature savory gravy. Gems come in 2oz. pyramid-shaped tubs with a suggested retail price of $2.48 for a package of two and are also available in a collection of 24.

For more information or to find Fancy Feast Gems near you, visit FancyFeast.com.

About Purina

Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations. Purina manufactures some of the world’s most trusted and popular pet care products, including Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Fancy Feast and Tidy Cats. Our more than 11,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats every year. More than 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition. Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive. Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.

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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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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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As a proud supporter of all things animals, earthbath invites 501c3 shelters, rescues and service dog organizations across the continental US to apply to the program, committed to providing in-kind donations of earthbath products to care for their animals, as well as sample size products that can be sent with pets to their new homes.

“It has been the greatest honor to provide 30 years of better baths to pet parents that are dedicated to purposeful ingredients and sustainable practices,” said Paul Armstrong, President and CEO, earthbath. “We believe there’s no better way to pay tribute to our journey than to give back to the animals that need it most.”

For 30 years, earthbath has been the expert in products and business operations that honor the principles of naturally effective, non-toxic ingredients and responsible manufacturing. They never use harmful chemicals, and their ingredients are plant-based, cruelty free, vegan and non-GMO. From manufacturing products in the USA, to recyclable packaging and concentrated formulas, there is a deeply held commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and impact on landfills.

The Anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the year with the launch of two new products.

“We’ve been earth-friendly since the beginning and continue to innovate products and practices that align with that principle,” said Armstrong. “We cannot wait for you to see what we have in store.”

For more information, visit here. To apply to earthbath’s Rescue & Service Dog Program, contact donation@earthbath.com or visit earthbath.com/pages/rescue-and-service-dog-program.

If you are a member of the media and would like to request more information, hi-res images or an interview with earthbath founders, please contact Kerry Sutherland at K. Sutherland PR, (775) 360-6101 or kerry@ksutherlandpr.com.

About Earthbath

Earthbath, based in San Francisco, CA, has been making premium natural pet products since 1995. They believe healthy skin and coats lead to healthier, happier pets and that ingredients should be as naturally effective, non-toxic and gentle as possible. earthbath’s products are Made in USA, cruelty free, plant-based, paraben & sulfate free and backed by a 100% happiness guarantee. earthbath has been a member of the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) since 2015. PSC values inclusive collaboration with manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, brands and retailers that leverages existing sustainability knowledge and experience as well as innovating solutions for sustainability issues facing the pet industry. For more information about earthbath, please visit www.earthbath.com.

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“Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the retail industry has been moving into a digitized future, shifting from a supply-driven approach of matching goods for the masses to a data-driven hyper-personalized experience for individual consumers, or moving from mass to micro,” the report notes. “However, given the high transitional costs and headwinds of legacy systems and business models, the transformation has been easier said than done. Transition challenges remain constant, including headwinds from fragmented consumers, falling volumes, supply chain issues, increased costs, and tech debt. These issues have driven some retailers to the verge of a make-or-break era—a reckoning of sorts.”

Still, as retailers struggle with an overarching need to do more with less, ongoing automation and technology improvements — especially in artificial intelligence — appear promising, the report notes.

“Generative artificial intelligence, in particular, seems to be moving beyond the hype cycle and demonstrating concrete successes. Retailers that offered gen AI tools like chatbots during the Black Friday weekend noted a 15% better conversation rate, and six in 10 retail buyers said that AI-enabled tools improved demand forecasting and inventory management in 2024. With digital efficiency looming, 2025 could be a breakthrough year, including advancements in strategic arenas of merchandising, supply chain and marketing.”

Indeed, in the survey integrated into the report, seven in 10 retail executives expect to have AI capabilities in place within the year to help personalize experiences.

“Such potential is spurring a more positive retail outlook. Retail executives in a recent survey expect the industry to grow by mid–single digits on average in 2025. They cited shoring up loyalty programs, strengthening digital commerce and enhancing the omnichannel experience as top growth opportunities, which are notable in that they are all key factors in creating a more holistic, frictionless, and personalized experience for the consumer.”

From its industry executive survey, expert interviews and financial analysis, Deloitte sees three retail industry trends emerging to create efficiencies and advance mass to micro goals:

• Engaging the value-seeking consumer
• Unlocking omnichannel capabilities
• Mastering efficient mass to micro

Click here for more from the Deloitte report.

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“Our organization is extremely proud to partner with Redbarn Pet Products, a company that shares our commitment to ensuring that retired K-9 Heroes receive the food and care they deserve after their faithful commitment to our communities and country,” said Jason Johnson, Founder and CEO of Project K-9 Hero. “These brave K-9’s have dedicated their lives to serving our nation with valor and distinction. With Redbarn’s generous support, we can continue to provide them with the high-quality nutrition their bodies require in retirement and during their senior years.”

Redbarn Pet Products, known for its commitment to pet health and safety, sees this partnership as an opportunity to give back to the Heroes who have protected and served alongside law enforcement and military personnel.

At Redbarn, it was important for us to partner with a non-profit organization that shares our values and commitment to animal welfare,” said Eric Tiller, President of Redbarn. “Becoming the official dog food sponsor for Project K-9 Hero allows us to support their incredible mission of honoring and caring for retired Police K-9s and Military Working Dogs. Through this partnership, we hope to drive greater awareness about these heroic animals and the vital role they play in keeping our communities safe.”

As we embark on this collaboration, both Project K-9 Hero and Redbarn Pet Products are committed to developing a strong and lasting partnership. Together, we aim to build a meaningful relationship that continues to support retired working dogs in the long term, ensuring they receive the care and recognition they deserve.

For more information about Project K-9 Hero and its mission, visit projectk9hero.org.

To learn more about Redbarn Pet Products and its commitment to pet wellness, visit redbarn.com.

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The short film, “Can Dogs Live on a Plant-based Diet?” explores the clinical study by WesternU College of Veterinary Medicine Associate Professor Annika Linde, DVM, PhD, MPH, and CVM Professor Tonatiuh Melgarejo, DVM, MS, PhD, presented at the 2023 Western Veterinary Conference and published in April 2024 in PLOS One. Domestic dogs maintain clinical, nutritional, and hematological health outcomes when fed a commercial plant-based diet for a year | PLOS ONE

The study examined the effects of a plant-based diet on 15 dogs over the course of one year. The dogs were given complete physical examinations, extensive blood and urine analyses, including nutritional and cardiac biomarkers – more than 3,000 parameters. Overweight or obese dogs lost weight, while the remainder maintained normal weight over the course of a year. No clinically significant changes occurred within blood and urine.

The documentary reveals some surprising results. Vitamin D is very important for bone metabolism and immunity. Seven of the 15 dogs entered the study with vitamin D insufficiency. At the end of the study, all 15 dogs were within normal limits for vitamin D.

The documentary also delves into the potential environmental impacts of shifting dogs (and cats) to a plant-based diet. The amount of meat used to feed dogs and cats in the U.S. is equivalent to the meat consumption in Italy – 4.3 million tons, Dr. Melgarejo says in the film. If all dogs and cats in the U.S. had their own country, they would be the fifth largest meat-eating country in the world. An estimated 30% of the total carbon footprint for food production in the U.S. comes from dog and cat food, he said.

“To make matters worse, we are seeing dogs with similar health problems as people have on a diet that is heavy on animal products, like obesity and certain cancers,” Melgarejo said. “Dogs and cats are not going to go away, and we need to provide a sustainable, healthier food, not only for the dogs, but for our planet.”

About Western University of Health Sciences

Western University of Health Sciences (www.westernu.edu), located in Pomona, Calif. and Lebanon, Ore., is an independent nonprofit health professions university, conferring degrees in biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences, dental medicine, medical sciences, nursing, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine and veterinary medicine. WesternU is home to WesternU Health, where the best in collaborative health care services is offered.

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“AAFCO’s partnership with K-State Olathe begins a new era of innovation and proficiency for the animal feed industry,” said Austin Therrell, executive director of AAFCO. “This new pathway will offer a regulatory review process that is straightforward and comprehensive to bring ingredients to market safely and more efficiently than our previous process with FDA.”

The new ingredient approval pathway will be led by Dr. Haley Larson, Ph.D., and will include a scientific review panel comprised of subject matter experts from universities across the U.S. and independent consultants to provide diversity and representation of all animal species. Together, this panel will evaluate potential ingredient submissions from industry and provide recommendations back to AAFCO membership for final approval. Approved ingredients will then be included in AAFCO’s Official Publication, which is considered the most comprehensive list of approved feed ingredients in the world, and recognized by state, international regulatory agencies, and the animal food industry.

“We’re honored to partner with AAFCO and apply our scientific and technical expertise to ensuring the safety and quality of animal food ingredients,” said Ben Wolfe, K-State Olathe’s dean and CEO. “We look forward to working closely with AAFCO to implement this transformative approach and foster a regulatory environment that benefits producers, consumers and the broader community.”

The new pathway is intended to complement FDA’s current GRAS Notice program and to provide the feed industry with another option to bring new and innovative products to the market. AAFCO and K-State Olathe have outlined procedures to ensure ingredients are not submitted through multiple channels.

“We understand the animal feed industry has much to consider when introducing a new proposed ingredient. We’re committed to a collaborative process that is safe, scientific and streamlined to meet the industry’s demand for new ingredients while upholding AAFCO’s unwavering standards for animal and human health,” added Therrell.

About AAFCO

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has been guiding state, federal and international feed regulators with ingredient definitions, label standards and laboratory standards for more than 115 years, while supporting the health and safety of people and animals. Its members are charged by their state or federal laws to regulate the manufacture, sale and distribution of animal feeds and feed ingredients. Learn more at aafco.org.

About K-State Olathe

Located in Greater Kansas City and the heart of the Animal Health Corridor, K-State Olathe is one of the university’s three campuses and has focus areas of animal health, food and nutrition, and advanced manufacturing. Its land-grant mission is to provide industry-driven academic programs and professional development offerings, and leverage applied research – all to improve wellbeing and drive economic growth.

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