Pet Owners Want Dog Collars, Leashes and Harnesses that Fit Their Lifestyles – PetProductNews.com

Collars, leashes and harnesses remain an important category in pet specialty retail, as dog owners want to spend more time with their beloved furry family members—even when they are on the go.
The pandemic might have been responsible for dog owners getting even closer to their animals, said Karishma Patel, director of e-commerce for Zee.Dog, a manufacturer with U.S. headquarters in New York. Now, she added, they don’t want to be separated.
“Pet parents have become extremely attached to their dogs, having been indoors for the better part of the past two years,” Patel said. “They want to take them wherever they are able to and are looking for accessories that fit into their lifestyles.”
Dog owners consider several factors before buying these necessities.
Being able to safely take dogs on walks is important to owners, said Jason Ast, co-owner of Just Dog People, a pet supply store in Garner, N.C.
“Pet parents are seeking out collars, leashes and harnesses that they are confident are safe and secure,” he said. “Dog parents love taking their pets everywhere that they go.”
Paul Lewis, owner of The Green K9, a pet store in Mount Dora, Fla., agreed that safety is one of the main drivers for shoppers considering these products. Lately, he’s noticed some issues with dogs escaping from harnesses.
“We really prefer harnesses so that the leash is not pulling on the dog’s trachea, but we do know that some dogs can perform a Houdini act and escape, so we are always looking for the best solutions out there,” he explained.
Innovation in the category reflects dog owners’ problem-solving needs. Zee.Dog released its Nox Reflective Hands-Free Leash in August.
“Hands-free leashes give [pet parents] flexibility and also allow for easy tethering during outings,” Patel said.
According to Patel, the Nox Reflective Hands-Free Leash is a reflective version of the company’s versatile Hands-Free Leash.
“The reflective material woven throughout the leash makes night walking safer, and the leash can be worn across your chest, around your waist or used as a long leash,” Patel said. “The e.Zee Lock buckle allows for easy tethering to table legs, etc., when needed. Unlike other hands-free leashes, there are no rings or complicated mechanisms. This leash comes in one universal size that is suitable for most dog breeds.”
Tyson Walters, CEO and founder of Shed Defender, a manufacturer in Irvine, Calif., said he is noticing an uptick in interest in bungee leashes and leashes with multiple handles, which gives the owner a quick and easy way to create tension on the leash.
Shed Defender recently came out with its wearable magnetic leash, the Mag-Snap Leash.
“The Mag-Snap Leash is designed to provide a new level of convenience for dog walkers,” Walters said. “Instead of taking a leash on and off, the Mag-Snap Leash can be kept on the dog when not in use by safely wrapping around the dog’s neck. The innovative leash sits beside the collar using our patented magnet design.”
It also has two soft, padded handles for easy control.
“The Mag-Snap Leash is perfect for situations when your dog can be off leash most of the time but you still want to have a leash readily available,” Walters added. “The leash seamlessly integrates with any regular dog collar, so your dog won’t even realize he’s wearing it. It’s safe, comfortable and vet approved.”
As far as fashion, Alisha Navarro, president of 2 Hounds Design, an Indian Trail, N.C.-based manufacturer, said that pattern and color in the category tend to stay steady with home décor trends. Gnomes have been a trending pattern lately, she said.
“Anything with bold color always sells well, too,” she added.
At The Quirky Pet, a store in Montpelier, Vt., owner Cindra Conison said she moves rainbow leashes, collars and harnesses more than any other pattern at her store.
In addition, Conison said rope leads “fly out” of her store.
“People tell me they like the feel and durability,” she added.
An optimal assortment of dog collars, leashes and harnesses that truly meets an independent pet store customers’ needs boils down to knowing who shops at the store, industry insiders said.
“Understanding who your customers are and what products fit into their lifestyle is critical for retailers to ensure they are carrying the most optimal product mix,” said Karishma Patel, director of e-commerce for Zee.Dog, a manufacturer with U.S. headquarters in New York. “When evaluating new products to stock, they should consider who would need the product. For example, a hands-free leash that is extremely versatile can be used by a broad range of customers, [for example] individuals with hand/wrist issues or those needing to push strollers while walking their dog.”
Alisha Navarro, president of 2 Hounds Design, an Indian Trail, N.C.-based manufacturer, agreed.
“Know your customers and what they like, and carry an assortment that will appeal to the range of people you see in your store,” she said.
Shoppers who tend to gravitate toward similar selections time and time again like to have some choices, which is why it’s important for retailers to carry an evolving assortment.
“Pet owners enjoy having a large selection to choose from, and that’s what makes them keep coming back,” said Tyson Walters, CEO and founder of Shed Defender, a manufacturer in Irvine, Calif. “Retailers who keep bringing in new innovative products are the winners; people want to see it first and show it off. Uniqueness is big when it comes to dog owners, so they want something exclusive or limited, and a product that keeps evolving.”
In addition, having a variety of sizes is also an important consideration in the collar, leash and harness category, added Jason Ast, co-owner of Just Dog People, a pet supply store in Garner, N.C.
Boosting sales of collars, leashes and harnesses in brick-and-mortar pet specialty stores comes down to displaying these items in a way that capture dog owners’ attention, industry insiders revealed.
The Green K9 in Mount Dora, Fla., has a whole wall of product that is displayed with a color scheme that goes from light to dark, said owner Paul Lewis. This creates both a cool visual effect and allows customers to gravitate toward the color range they like best, he added. These products are also organized by size.
Karishma Patel, director of e-commerce for Zee.Dog, a manufacturer with U.S. headquarters in New York, said having collars, leashes and harnesses easily visible and accessible to customers is key.
“A good display will have enough space to show off the collar’s features, while still being able to fit inside a standard-sized retail shelf,” she said.
As far as leashes, Patel said that they should be displayed at eye level and easy to grab.
“Having them hang down vertically and ensuring they are not twisted or folded over helps showcase them in an appealing way,” Patel said. “Similarly, for harnesses, you would want to hang them vertically rather than horizontally and ensure that customers are able to see how the harness will fit their dogs. Displaying different sizes allows customers to easily find what would work for their dog.”
Having an endcap display with signage or video playing can be extremely helpful, said Tyson Walters, CEO and founder of Shed Defender, a manufacturer in Irvine, Calif.
“For instance, with our brand-new patent-pending Mag-Snap Leash, we plan to sell stand-up displays with signage and possible video installed to really showcase the product,” he said.
Keeping displays fresh can also make a huge difference, said Alisha Navarro, president of 2 Hounds Design, an Indian Trail, N.C.-based manufacturer.
“If you notice cute patterns not getting enough attention, try rearranging,” she suggested. “Organize by size or organize by color or by pattern families and see which display grabs more attention and drives more purchases.”
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