How should a pet store stock dog chews for the holidays? Plan a simple price ladder, from a small stocking-stuffer bag up to a bigger gift bag, and order it in two rounds: one in early November and one in early December. Pre-bagged resale packs make this easy, since a 5-count bag of thin 6" bully sticks costs you $5.00 and is ready to hang.
November and December bring in shoppers buying for someone else's dog, and gift buyers want something that looks finished and has a clear price. A sealed bag of natural chews fits that well. You don't need a big holiday display. A few sizes, a sign, and a plan for when to reorder will cover most stores. Here's how to set it up.
What price points should a holiday chew display have?
Give shoppers three or four steps to choose from: a small bag for stocking stuffers and add-ons, a mid-size bag for regulars, and a larger bag that works as a gift on its own. Costs below use today's prices for our 6" bully stick resale packs, with free shipping to US48 street addresses. The shelf prices are example numbers to show the math, not suggested retail prices. Price for your own market.
| Holiday role | Resale pack | Pack price | Cost per bag | Example shelf price | Profit per bag | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stocking stuffer | Thin 6", 80 bags of 5 | $399.99 | $5.00 | $10.99 | $5.99 | 55% |
| Big-dog stuffer | Thick 6", 80 bags of 5 | $839.99 | $10.50 | $19.99 | $9.49 | 47% |
| Everyday bag | Medium 6", 40 bags of 10 | $518.98 | $12.97 | $24.99 | $12.02 | 48% |
| Gift bag | Medium 6", 20 bags of 20 | $528.98 | $26.45 | $49.99 | $23.54 | 47% |
Cost per bag is the pack price divided by the number of bags. Margin is (shelf price ā cost) Ć· shelf price.
How much should you order for November and December?
Start with your own sales. Take how many bags you expect to sell per week, multiply by the number of weeks you're planning for, and round up to the nearest full pack. The weekly numbers below are example numbers to show the math for a small store planning about 8 weeks, from early November to Christmas Eve.
| Bag | Example bags sold per week | Weeks | Bags needed | Packs to order | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thin 6", 5-count | 10 | 8 | 80 | 1 pack of 80 bags | $399.99 |
| Medium 6", 10-count | 5 | 8 | 40 | 1 pack of 40 bags | $518.98 |
| Medium 6", 20-count | 2 | 8 | 16 | 1 pack of 20 bags | $528.98 |
That plan comes to $1,447.95 for 140 ready-to-sell bags. If you don't have last year's numbers, start smaller, watch the first two weeks, and reorder what moves.
When should you place your holiday orders?
- First round in early November. This stocks your display before gift shopping picks up.
- Second round in early December. Reorder the sizes that sold, and skip the ones that didn't.
- Set a reorder point. When you're down to about two weeks of stock on a bag size, order more.
- Leave room for shipping. Most in-stock orders ship from our Livingston, Tennessee warehouse the same business day, with typical delivery in 2-7 business days via USPS, FedEx or UPS. Carriers get busier in December, so don't wait until the shelf is empty.
Splitting the order in two also keeps less cash tied up in inventory, and it means you're not stuck with a pile of one size in January.
How do you make chews sell as gifts?
- Put them by the register. Small bags are an easy add-on for shoppers already checking out.
- Sign it as a gift. "Stocking stuffers for dogs" and "Gifts for big dogs" signs tell shoppers what the bag is for.
- Label by dog size. Gift buyers often don't know the dog well, so "small dog" and "large dog" labels help them choose.
- Add a ribbon or tag. A simple bow or gift tag on the larger bags makes them ready to hand over.
- Offer something longer lasting. For shoppers with big chewers, yak cheese resale packs add another option to the display.
Prefer to bag your own? Our bulk bully sticks come in larger counts with no account needed. Pre-bagged bully stick resale packs save you the bags, the counting and the labor during your busiest weeks.
How should you store holiday chew stock?
Keep bags sealed in a dry place at room temperature. Store backup stock in lidded bins off the floor, and rotate older bags to the front of the display. Keep only what fits the display out front and refill from the back, so bags stay neat and easy to count when it's time to reorder.
Frequently asked questions
When should a pet store order dog chews for the holidays?
A good plan is a first order in early November and a second in early December. Most in-stock orders from ValuePetSupplies ship the same business day, with typical delivery in 2-7 business days, but carriers get busier in December, so reorder before your shelf runs low.
What dog chews make good stocking stuffers?
Small bags of thin bully sticks work well because they're an easy price for an add-on gift. A 5-count bag of thin 6-inch bully sticks costs $5.00 from a ValuePetSupplies resale pack.
How many holiday chews should I order?
Multiply how many bags you expect to sell per week by the number of weeks you're planning for, then round up to a full pack. For example, 10 bags a week for 8 weeks is 80 bags, or one 80-bag resale pack.
Ready to stock up for the holidays?
- Pre-bagged and ready to sell. Shop resale packs with free shipping to US48 street addresses.
- Buy bulk direct, no account needed. Shop bulk bully sticks in bulk counts.
- Selling a lot? Approved resellers get wholesale pricing and 400-count wholesale packs. Apply for a wholesale account.
- Want your store's name on the bag? Tell us about your private label plans.
Our take
Holiday chew sales don't need a big bet. Pick three or four bag sizes, order enough for the first few weeks, and let your register tell you what to reorder in December. Gift shoppers like a clear price and a finished-looking bag, and a sealed bag of natural chews gives them both.
ā The ValuePetSupplies family, Livingston, TN
Questions?
Call our Tennessee team at 800-825-8373 or email support@valuepetsupplies.com. We've been helping pet businesses stock natural chews since 2004.