APPA Business Edge
Give Your Business Every Advantage
Whether you are brand new to the pet products industry or experienced, The APPA Business Edge program has resources for you.
- Traverse the dynamics and nuances of the pet industry, increasing your opportunity for success
- Connect directly to industry experts and peers to give quick access to a multi-dimensional knowledge bank
- Gain knowledge and strategic focus from globally renowned pet specialty business advisors
Through participation in the following programs, gain a complete understanding of how to successfully navigate the pet industry:
- Business Edge Online Help Desk
- APPA has partnered with globally renowned Pet Specialty Business Advisor, Dave Bolen of The Bolen Group, to bring our members the most qualified expertise
- Gain knowledge and build strategic focus through personalized expert advice
- Get answers to your retail and business strategy questions, or schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation to help you define your business goals
- Some areas of consultation include:
- Developing and focusing on the right strategy
- Building a team for success
- Merchandising: Assortment planning, pricing, presentation
- Marketing: Customer acquisition and retention
- Inventory productivity
- Ask a question or schedule your consultation >>
- Webcasts and Educational Resources
- Explore the Pet Retailer Series
- Learn the ins-and-outs of selling to various types of retail outlets
- Market Updates:
- Gain perspective on current industry dynamics
- Market updates are the lead-in to many of our webcasts and in-person networking events
- Register for upcoming webcasts >>
- Past Business Edge Webcast On-Demand
- APPA Business Edge: Inflation Running Wild - What Industry Leaders are Thinking for 2022, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant, June 28, 2022
- APPA Business Edge Pet Retailer Series: IndiePet Association: Learn About Their Evolving Strategy and How it Could Help Your Business, Presented by Todd Dittman, Executive Director, IndiePet Association, Al Puntillo, Chief Merchant, Mud Bay and Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant, December 8, 2021
- About the Moderator: Dave Bolen, CEO of The Bolen Group & APPA Program Consultant
- Dave Bolen serves globally as a retail advisor in the pet specialty business to sharpen focus on strategic growth opportunities, organization and execution. Dave also serves on boards and with private equity groups to direct strategic thinking to enhance business opportunities. His very successful past positions as President & CEO of Pets Supplies Plus and EVP and Chief Merchandising officer at PETCO make him a valuable and insightful consultant to APPA's Market Access and Business Edge programs.
- View the full list of all APPA On-Demand webcasts >>
- Networking Events
- Shake hands with and get to know industry experts and leaders who can provide insight to make a real difference in your business
- Stay tuned for announcements of upcoming events.