Disney Expands into Pet Market

Reuters reports that The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) plans to expand its range of pet products globally, producing collars, clothing and bedding for pets by licensing its valuable portfolio of characters.

Current lines include a Pirates of the Caribbean aquarium and an Old Yeller private label dog food. Details on the expansion plans were not provided.

Licensing arrangements generate about 70% margins for Disney, and consumers worldwide bought $21 billion of products branded by Disney last year ("Disney barking up a new tree with pet products," by Jeffrey Goldfarb, Reuters, June 7, 2006).

PetMed Express

PetMed Express continues to increase the dosage. As the largest pharmacy for dogs, cats and horses, PetMed is well positioned in the prescription and non-prescription pet health segments.

PetMed won the 27th spot on BusinessWeek's list of the top 100 Hot Growth companies. By focusing on their best-selling products and their relationship with vets, PetMed grabbed 1.3 million customers in the past two years, each spending about $76 ('Hot Growth: 100 Sizzling Companies to Watch,' by Arlene Weintraub, BusinessWeek, June 5 2006).

And Standard & Poor's on June 5 announced that PetMed Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:PETS) will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 GICS (Global Industry Classification Standard) Catalog Retail Sub-Industry Index on Monday, June 12.

Besides the natural alignment with pet health trends, I think PetMed is also decently positioned against high gas prices simply because of its online business model.

Marketing Pet Health Products or Services?
A new report is out, with trends and demographics by age, income, region and family size, called 'Consumer Spending on Veterinary Services 2000-2004.' Check it out.