| I have no experience in the retail pet business at all, but we do buy our Weimeraner's food in bulk about once a quarter from PetSmart. I agree with a previous poster that just based on the chart, the stock should improve. But I'm also counting on PetSmart's recent commitment to an increased level of advertising to raise the level of awareness in the millions of homes that have pets. Also, I think that the number of family pets - of all kinds - continues to increase. These animals must be housed (caged?), fed, groomed, and provided with the typical accessories that most pet-owners require - leashes, shampoos, cages, snacks, ....the list goes on. If Petsmart can alter its image from a dog-food discount store to a whole-life pet management center, then things could really go well. This is their published strategy (based on the latest report to the shareholders), but it could take a while. Yes, they need to recruit and hire people who love animals, and train them to be retail pet professionals, and then market PetSmart as the single source solution for all pet-care needs. Can they do it? I'm betting yes, but that it'll take time - two years maybe? - before the typical pet owner views Petsmart in this light. I bought in at 3 and hope to see 5 by end of September. If their strategy is implemented, then we could see a two-year march to the 20's. But hey....I could be wrong! |
