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LOS ANGELES - The May issue of Pet Product News announces its
annual "Retailer of the Year" awards. The 2002 Retailer
of the Year award was presented to The PetCare Company in Hermosa
Beach, Calif. Owners Lewis and Paula Turner are veteran retailers
whose experience has culminated in their business.
The PetCare Company staff and some
of
their feathered and furry friends are
honored by Pet Product News.
Photo: Carol Boker |
The PetCare Company regularly participates in the
SPCA Mobile Adoption program, and they distribute the Adopt-a-Pet
reference guide and listing of local shelters to customers who
are looking to adopt a cat or dog.
As regular speakers at industry trade shows, the Turners have
shared their ideas about successful operating procedures, reward
programs and marketing ideas with dozens of fellow retailers.
Their extensive training program, which includes the Pet Store
Excellence Program and customer service video, prepares their
staff to deal with virtually any question posed by a pet customer.
As a continuing incentive, they offer Employee of the Moment Awards
to staff members who go above and beyond when helping customers.
"We're pleased to award The PetCare Company with this award,"
says Marilyn Iturri, Pet Product News editor. "They are a
fine example for other retailers to follow."
Lewis and Paula Turner own and operate
The PetCare Company in Hermosa Beach, Calif. Lewis handles
store promotions and employee training, and Paula orders
merchandise and coordinates with their many distributors.
Photo: Carol Boker |
Pet Product News chose The PetCare Company for their consistently
solid work in the pet industry. For their hard work and dedication,
Pet Product News will present the retailer with a plaque and profile
their store in the magazine. The Turners, along with the winners
in the other categories, will serve on the Pet Product News' Retail
Advisory Board for the next year and receive award certificates
to display in their stores.
Candidates for the various awards were selected from surveys
distributed to retailers through the magazine and by Fancy Publication's
Retailer Sales force. Retailers were reviewed on the following
criteria: employee training practices, promotion of companion
animals and pet adoptions, involvement with humane professional
and service organizations, innovative promotion, effective strategies
in the marketplace, community impact and industry impact.
This year's competition was extremely tight, but after carefully
screening of the initial entries, the field was narrowed down
to finalists in each category. A panel of four Pet Product News
executive staff members then evaluated these candidates and voted
on the winner. This year's winners were all recognized for going
beyond the basic criteria.
Winners in other categories are as follows:
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Best Independent Chain:
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Omar's Exotic Birds, Inc.
Placentia, Calif.
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For their outstanding promotion of birds
as companion animals, educating the public about bird ownership
and successfully branding and opening additional stores. |
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Best Dry Goods Only:
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Especially for Pets Acton, Mass
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For their incredible promotion of companion
animals in conjunction with shelters, rescue groups and humane
societies, and their educational outreach to the community
by offering free public seminars. |
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Best Specialty Store:
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Dog Days of Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Va.
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For their support of the pet industry by offering a map to
animal friendly stores in their downtown community and working
with Therapy Dogs International. |
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Best Industry Service:
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Harry Barker, Inc.
Savannah, Ga.
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For their promotion of companion animals
and involvement with humane services and professional groups
and raising funds to rehabilitate search and rescue dogs from
Ground Zero. |
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Best Upscale Boutique:
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Teca Tu
Santa Fe, N.M.
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For successfully identifying and filling
a niche in their community and reflecting a boutique style
in their store. |
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Best Adoption Services:
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Petland
Tyler, Texas
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For establishing an Adopt-a-Pet program
that has placed more than 6,000 homeless pets in the past
nine years |
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Best Marketing Strategy:
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La Grande Menagerie
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
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For testing and implementing a successful
marketing campaign, promoting companion animals and helping
control the homeless pet population. |
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Best Customer Service:
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Andersen's Pet Supply
Montrose, Calif
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For successfully maintaining and serving
their customers for over 60 years, despite relocating in 2001. |
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Best Promotions:
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Pine Tree Pet Super Center
Libertyville, Ill.
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For their popular and well-attended pajama
sale, during which they offer extra discounts to customers
whose pets are dressed in pajamas. |
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Best Community Relations:
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Everything Pawsible
Salem, Ore.
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For instigating focus-group meetings in
their community to discuss animal concerns with the public
and establishing a safe-house program for pets whose owners
are in a protective shelter. |
Pet Product News is published by Fancy Publications Inc., the
leader in consumer pet and veterinary trade publishing with more
than 50 magazines distributed to pet-loving customers, pet supply
retailers, veterinarians and breeders worldwide. Fancy Publications
has provided the most timely, comprehensive and entertaining pet
information for more than 25 years, showcasing the world of dogs,
cats, horses, birds, fish, ferrets and others. Popular titles
include Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, Reptiles and Horse Illustrated.
Divisions of Fancy Publications include BowTie Press, Thoroughbred
Times Co., Global Distribution Services and Advanced Vivarium
Syste
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