🚨Dog influencer stays at 5-star hotels around the world in a $2,500 wardrobe

Whose leg ya gotta hump to get that gig?

THIS WEEK'S TOPICS:

• ☕ Pug cafe expands

• 🪙 $45B worth of dog tokens

• 📱 Pet brands targeting Millennials & Gen Z

☕ PUG CAFE EXPANDS

CuppaPug, a venture that first opened its doors in London in 2022 by entrepreneurs Aaron Carty and Matt Pieterse, has rapidly ascended to global prominence, drawing visitors from all over.

This week marks a significant milestone for the brand as it inaugurates a second location in Manchester, aiming to replicate the unique blend of cuteness and community that fueled its initial success.

CuppaPug distinguishes itself not merely as a cafe but as a vibrant sanctuary for pug lovers and the wider public in need of laughs and snorts.

It offers a unique experience where patrons can savor pug-themed refreshments and buy dog-friendly delicacies for the resident pugs. The thematic decor, inviting nooks, and an array of merchandise further elevate the experience, ensuring each visit is unforgettable.

@cuppapug

#POV the pug cafe is about to open! #pugcafe #puglove #dogcafe #thingstodoinlondon #doglover #pug #happy #thingstolove

The founders, whose backgrounds span digital media, acting, and international drag performance, have imbued CuppaPug with a mission that transcends conventional business objectives.

The establishment is profoundly dedicated to the welfare of pugs, collaborating closely with charities focused on the rescue and rehoming of these animals.

The numbers

A testament to their commitment, the cafe donates a portion of its proceeds from each booking to these causes. Notably, the London location has proudly contributed over £13,000 to pug welfare since its inception.

In regards to bookings — they allow up to 20 people per 1hr slot and 6 people per booking with 7 bookable hrs per day.

Quick math for what max bookings would be if they sold out 300 days of the year:

• £15/hr × 20ppl = £300/hr

• £300 × 7hrs = £2,100/day

  • £2,100 × 300 days = £630,000 ($801,725)

This doesn’t include refreshments, treats, cocktails and merch. So it seems that they’ve found themselves a healthy small business!

The decision to expand into Manchester reflects a strategic intent to connect with and bolster the local pug community, including the non-profit Manchester Pug Thing.

This move not only supports the work of local organizations but also nurtures a sense of community and solidarity among pug owners and aficionados.

From a business standpoint, CuppaPug's trajectory underscores the burgeoning appeal of niche cafes and unique experiences surpassing the conventional coffee shops and bars.

This model capitalizes on the growing demand for pet-friendly venues and the recognized therapeutic benefits of animal interaction, presenting ample opportunities for innovative entrepreneurs.

By emphasizing community, welfare, and a distinctive customer experience, CuppaPug pioneers a blueprint for integrating passion with purpose, potentially inspiring similar ventures in diverse locales and across various animal themes.

🪙 $45B WORTH OF DOG TOKENS

In the red hot world of crypto, a fascinating trend has continuously emerged that combines the quirky nature of internet culture with serious financial speculation.

Over the past month, the crypto market has witnessed an astonishing surge in the value of memecoins, particularly those themed around animals such as dogs, cats, and even frogs.

This surge has not only captivated the attention of traders but has also sparked a playful yet competitive battle among the different species-themed tokens.

Leading the pack in the dog-themed category are Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB), which together generated over $24.2 billion in trading volume in just 24 hours on March 4th.

Among these, the Solana-based dog memecoin dogwifhat (WIF) has seen a remarkable 620% gain over the last month, while Popcat has soared over 1,400% in the same period. These significant increases highlight the volatile yet potentially lucrative nature of investing in memecoins.

4 out of 5 of the top performing cryptos this week were dog-related meme tokens with have a total combined market cap of $21B and if you add in Dogecoin that puts it at a +$45B market cap!

That would make those 5 tokens more valuable than the following companies:

• Kraft Heinz

• Pernod Ricard

• Allstate

• Nearly tied with GM

Even frog-themed tokens have made their mark, with Pepe (PEPE) leading this niche category.

After a dramatic comeback from a significant drop, Pepe has now achieved a 781% gain in the last 30 days, showcasing the unpredictable excitement that memecoins bring to the crypto market.

This trend underscores the growing influence of meme culture in the financial world, where the internet wants to break the financial model of the traditional world.

As these dog tokens rally, they not only offer a unique and totally volatile investment opportunity but also reflect the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, where community sentiment and viral trends can significantly impact market dynamics.

 📱 PET BRANDS TARGETING MILLENNIALS & GEN Z

The future of the pet industry lies in understanding two key demographics: Millennials and Gen Z.

These groups aren't just the biggest pet owners, but also the ones willing to open their wallets widest for their furry family members. To truly thrive, pet businesses need to adapt and cater to their unique preferences.

It is crucial that retailers—big box and independent, alike—build a model that is not only conducive to winning the positive attention and business of these consumers, but also anticipates their needs. 

So, if we were a pet food brand, how would we create a winning experience for these tech-savvy generations? Let's dive in:

1. Consider the in store experience:

According to Nathan Richter of Wakefield Research, Gen Z and millennial pet parents are still shopping brick and mortar. Their studies have found that 46 % of Gen Z and 34% of Millennials say they buy the majority of their pet products in store. 

So we'd move beyond just being a place to buy pet food. We think of the store as a haven for all things pet. We'd offer IRL experiences like workshops on pet training or grooming, host adoption events to foster a sense of community, or have social events to let pet parents connect.

2. Educate and Entertain:

Millennials and Gen Z want knowledge but also appreciate a little fun.

Our staff would be educated to answer questions and guide customers towards the best products for their pets.

For example, Pet Store Pro, is a free online training resource meant to help pet specialty retailers make sure their staff is prepped to help customers.

Also, we wouldn't forget the entertainment factor! Maybe things like pet costume contests or photo booths to create photo-worthy moments.

3. Align with Their Values:

These generations are passionate about sustainability and ethical practices (OpenFarm is leading the charge on this).

We'd make sure to stock our shelves with brands that resonate with their values, and be transparent about where our products come from and how they're made.

4. Go Beyond the Transaction:

Building relationships is key to keeping customers coming back for more.

We'd focus a lot on customer feedback through surveys or polls, and build out a loyalty programs to reward repeat business. Pet parents are a passionate bunch and buy on emotion often.

Personalization is also a huge expectation of the newer generations, and we'd try and adapt to individual pet needs.

5. Become a Digital Destination:

While the in-store experience is important, we wouldn't neglect the digital realm. Leveraging our newsletter experience, we'd focus on a clean website, and creating valuable content like pet care tips and product reviews to engage users beyond just selling.

We'd go heavy on short form video or photos to make sure we grew a following on platforms like Instagram or TikTok.

So there you have it, the perfect playbook for connecting w/ Millennials and Gen Z if you run a pet food or other business. It's just that easy, right?

Oh.....it requires a ton of work to make all that happen? Yeah, I guess we are more the keyboard warrior type for now 😆.

DOGGYDEX™

Winner 🏆: BITCOIN

Proudly introducing the DoggyDex™, an index comprised of 10 publicly traded companies whose primary focus is the dog/pet industry.

List of tickers used can be found at the very bottom of the newsletter.

The yellow line-plot in the chart represents these companies above (DoggyDex™) and their combined performance against both the S&P 500 and Bitcoin on a weekly basis.

Pawformance is measured by % gains & losses.

• ⛰️ Man takes his dying pup on his last hike: Carlos Fresco took his dog, Monty, on one last adventure up a mountain in a wheelbarrow. His boy passed away peacefully shortly after their trip.

• 🥢 Frenchie fed via chopsticks: This Frenchie gets all of its lunches and snacks fed fresh and with chopsticks.

• 🦽 Dog pushes owners around in wheelchair: This good girl helps her owner get around town by pushing him in his wheelchair.

DOGGY B-DAY

• $CHWY - Chewy: E-commerce platform for pet supplies

• $IDXX - Idexx Labs: Vet point of care instruments and vet software

• $FRPT - Fresh Pet: Pet food company

• $PETQ - PetIQ: Pet health products and medicines

• $PETS - PetMeds: Online pet pharmacy

• $ZTS - Zoetis: World's largest producer of meds and vaccines for pets and livestock

• $TRUP - Trupanion: Pet insurance company

• $WOOF - Petco Health & Wellness co.: Pet health & wellness company

• $BARK - BarkBox: Subscription service providing dog products, services, and experiences

• $PET - Wag! Group Co.: Tech platform that allows pet owners to connect with industry professionals for services such as, walking, training, etc.