Drs. Foster and Smith in Target Stores Near You

[Race]

I mentioned a few months back that a retail initiative was in the making by Drs. Foster and Smith. We have joined forces with Target Retail Stores nationwide to put Drs. Foster and Smith proprietary products on their store shelves. Retail sales will begin in July, 2007.
We have always viewed retail as a viable source for future expansion and this is our beginning. For 2007-2008 that will be our nationwide focus. We look forward to serving the needs of multiple pet species on the shelves of Target Stores. Target's reputation for market share and outstanding customer service speaks for itself. We are excited to be a part of it.

Please watch for a formal Press Release in the next several days.

Thank you, Race Foster, D.V.M.

LiveAquaria.com
DrsFosterSmith.com

 

[Kalkbreath]

So as Walmart and Big K get out ....Target gets into the fish trade?

Or is this doggy and cat toys were talking about?

Target must be excited about your loss leader "Santa" like sales philosophy!
Are you going to personally deliver the doggy treats on Christmas morning as part of the free shipping from Santa gig?
Getting a retailer to carry your brand is hardly the same as "getting into retail"
The true fish retailers were hoping you would be for a change, generating new hobbyists and pulling your weight.
Alas it is not to be........
Good luck with the new venture, but dont be upset if we here in the industry dont share your vision of Kathy Ireland ....or Martha types handing out husbandry advise?

 

[Race]

Not selling live fish at Target,-- at least initially. I will always do that at a loss and not take advantage of the hobby. Kalk, check out our Coral Conference info on our RC forum. You should have been there with the other 721 hobbyists and professionals.

 

[Kalkbreath]

It sounded like fun. And I support activities like your Coral Conference.
But how many of the people who showed up... .. were already hobbyists? (created by a real retail fish store back in their local home towns?)
See... people already hooked on what your providing are not that hard to convince into participating. (especially when freebies abound) {think MC Hammer.}

: Its opening your barn and tent in the middle of nowhere and creating hobbyists out of the locals (like we real retailers do each day) thats the truly fun part! and the pulse of the hobby.

 

[Race]

Kalk,
Please do not comment out of ignorance. Had you been there you would have met people from over 30 states. Additionally, you could have viewed the jam packed children and new hobbyists areas.

Happy 4th----- Race

 

[naesco]

Great Race.

This will result in lower costs to the consumer.
Hopefully you can resist the urge to sell that cheap poor quality Chinese made stuff though.

Livestock at Target should be avoided at all costs.

Wayne Ryan

 

[nanocat]

As a hobbiest, I say congratulations on your venture with Target. They are my favorite broad spectrum store (way ahead of WalMart or Kmart).

Looking forward to see the stuff from catalogs on the shelves

 

[Race]

Kalk,
It is interesting that you bash me for being the Aquatic Santa. Would I be a better person if I exploited the Ocean's resources for personal profit--- as you do ?

As the final seller to the hobby it will never be my intention to profit from livestock. All profits will be made prior to me and that is needed to have an industry. I am surprised that you do not find that admirable. Remember that I do not sell livestock cheap, I merely spend the needed overhead to keep it the best and healthiest. That takes away the profit but the oceans and the hobby benefit.
To me it is simply a hobby which I love. You are the one attempting a personal gain from livestock sales, not me. While your objective is to make money selling fish and coral to the hobbyist,---- mine is to not lose money.

Have a better 4th-Race

 

[swsaltwater]

I guess you just don't see how this might piss people off Race, You being a rich person stepping on the throats of the poor man and all.

 

[Race]

Everyone must change with the times or join the Auk, the Oryx and the DoDo.

 

[rudylbj]

Hey folks, he's baiting us again! Think about it, what is Dr R's purpose for posting this in this forum? To rub our noses in it. You are right Dr R, we are the evil ones exploiting the oceans, you would never do such a thing. I'll take the bait Race. OK, ready now-----Hey Race, You Da MAN, way ta go BABY--the best to ya in your new venture--go get 'em man!! DUDE, can't wait to see your exclusive made in china line of pet stuff in my most favorite store in the world dude, wow , thanks for all you do man, you are so kool!!

 

[Race]

SW,
Please remember that it was Race who attempted to Join AMDA and help the industry change. I could have raised thousands if not millions for the cause. Some of my own money. They did not want me so I am now a one man show. That is a fault of you and the industry. Talk to your futuristic leaders, whomever they may be, and have them develop a better plan.

How about stop the Internet and Etailing by ignoring current buying behavior and banning those who cater to it. Oh wait, that is the industry approach and it is failing-----rapidly.

Not sure how to help you at this point, too far gone. Join the wingless birds and look for another way to make a living----Race.

 

[Race]

Rudy,
Reread your post and consider going back to school,--- an education may do you some good.------Race

 

[Anonymous]

milzed








(this post is strictly the personal view/opinion/statement of vitz, and respresents no other entity's interest's/view/opinion)

 

[Anonymous]

milzed


(this post is strictly the personal view/opinion/statement of vitz, and represents no other entity's interest's/view/opinion)

 

[Caterham]

Naesco,

Thanks so much for your contributions to this thread.

Unfortunately, with absolutely zero past or current involvement in the trade of marine ornamentals there are some folks here is this community that might take your comments somewhat lightly.

I respect your efforts and hope that you continue to stay involved. All good teams have people cheering for them on the sidelines, out of play.

Warmest regards

 

[Anonymous]

milzed

(this post is strictly the personal view/opinion/statement of vitz, and represents no other entity's interest's/view/opinion)

 

[dizzy]

I mentioned a few months back that a retail initiative was in the making by Drs. Foster and Smith. We have joined forces with Target Retail Stores nationwide to put Drs. Foster and Smith proprietary products on their store shelves. Retail sales will begin in July, 2007.

Race why don't you explain to us what you mean by proprietary product. Do you mean products that F&S manufactures or do you mean products that F&S carries to the exclusion of other retailers. Do you have patents on all the products Target will be selling under your name? Proprietary is often used to mean "trade secrets" and not being educated like you are, I can't understand exactly what you are suggesting here. Are you setting yourself up as a middleman to Target? I was under the illusion that the big boxes like Petco and Petsmart got successful by cutting out the middleman. I also wonder if this will mean that you will now have to start collecting sales tax when F&S ships out to any state that has Target stores? Thanks in advance for answering these questions.
Mitch

 

[Race]

Hi Mitch,
Target will mainly be selling products which carry the Foster and Smith name. Dog beds, cat furniture, food, vitamins, treats, supplements and the like. There are other things but too many to list here. Other than branding, Target will have little impact on the fish trade at least as far as I am aware. I do not know their arrangements with others or their long term plans. That is really none of my business unless I am asked to participate. There are things in this arrangement which for business reasons, I will not mention.

We built a warehouse which just handles the Target accounts. We ship from Wisconsin to their distribution centers. They buy from us in Wisconsin and own the merchandise, hence no sales tax ( for us ) as all purchases originate in Wisconsin and are clearly for resale. I would guess that they have sales tax in the 48 states in which they sell.

This is our beginnings in retail and we will remain a player with or without Target. We will be in 900 of the Target superstores beginning July 15, 2007 with a plan for future development.

We will be sending a press release to all major newswires tomorrow ( July 5 ) which will explain a little more. Since I mentioned retail on RDO a few months ago I felt it best to be up front and post it here.

I see it ,at least initially, having little impact on the aquatics trade other than to gain us overall pet trade market share which we will cross market to. It will also increase our vendor purchasing capabilities. We will expect to pay less. Our plan is to build from here in both direct marketing ( etail and print ) and retail.

Thanks Mitch-----Race

 

[Race]

Vitz,

I do my homework,--- always.

Edited by Race