Draper James Collection Highlights Petco's New Assortment
Petco is closing out 2024 and kicking off the new year with the launch of Reese Witherspoons’ Draper James line of dog and cat apparel and essentials, which is exclusive to the pet products retailer.
The company is the first national pet specialty retailer to carry the Draper James pet collection, which includes spring-inspired toys and accessories in floral prints and colorful patterns for dogs and cats.
Products in the line start at $2.99 and include:
- Attire such as sweaters, jackets, and dresses, along with accessories, including bucket hats, bows, and pearl necklaces.
- Colorful pet essentials from themed toys, beds, and bowls to cat tunnels in Draper James' signature prints for spring and Valentine's Day.
"Pet parents see their pets as extensions of themselves and their own personal style," said Jenny Wolski, senior vice president of Merchandising, Supplies, Owned Brands Product Design and Development with Petco. "So, we're constantly evolving our product offerings to meet a range of ever-changing customer needs and interests, at every price point, and in line with developing trends in both the human and pet worlds.”
In addition to the Draper James line, Petco is also launching its new Jupiter collection along with new products sold under the Youly and Leaps & Bounds brands. The Jupiter line is featured in Petco's new in-store cat fixture, available in most locations nationally, helping to differentiate Petco as a true lifestyle destination for cats.
Curated toys, apparel and accessories from Petco's Youly brand include new favorites and returning items for Valentine's Day. Owned brand Leaps & Bounds also offers Petco's first-ever dog toy in honor of the Lunar New Year.
Wolski spoke with Store Brands about the new collections and offered insights on how each will allow Petco to further differentiate its assortment from others in the highly competitive pet products marketplace.
STORE BRANDS: What can pet parents expect from the new Draper James collection?
JENNY WOLSKI: Our partnership with Draper James brings a trend-forward, fashionable collection of pet products to our shelves under a recognizable brand that consumers already know and love. Pet parents see their pets as extensions of themselves and their own personal style, and this collection is the perfect embodiment of charm, grace and style for our furry friends.
SB: What drew the attention of Petco to adding the Draper James line?
JW: We’ve been fans of the Draper James brand for a while, and we were excited about the opportunity to offer the brand’s signature prints and floral patterns in pet products that are exclusive to Petco. This is the perfect collaboration for pet parents who are already fans of the brand, as they can now bring beloved styles into their pet’s wardrobe and mirror their own style preferences.
SB: What inspired the creation of the Jupiter line specifically for cats?
JW: In the last year alone, a striking 2.6 million cats have been adopted from shelters across the U.S., according to Shelter Animals Count, which is a 14% rise from pre-pandemic cat adoption levels. Growth in cats is officially outpacing that of dogs. At Petco, we’ve always offered a curated assortment of supplies and nutrition for cats, but we’re breaking the mold with Jupiter. It’s no secret that cats have unique personalities and Jupiter was designed to meet their specific needs, while also providing pet parents with products they’ll be proud to showcase in their home. Jupiter combines functionality with flair, offering items ranging from whimsical toys and chic beds and bowls to unique apparel and accessories that are as cute and stylish as they are practical.
SB: How do the new owned-brand collections for Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day cater to pet parents’ needs?
JW: Pets are family, and they are participating in pet parents’ lives in more ways than ever – that includes everything from holidays and traditions to weddings, birthdays and vacations. We’re connecting with pet parents in a deeper way by helping them celebrate cultural moments and holidays like Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day with their pets. Our seasonal collections help make it easy for pet parents to incorporate pets into all of life’s fun moments and encourage special bonding moments together.
SB Are there plans to expand these exclusive product lines to other seasons or holidays in 2025?
JW: We’re constantly evolving our product offerings to meet a range of ever-changing customer needs and interests, at every price point, and in line with developing trends in both the human and pet worlds. Keep an eye out for other seasonal collections next year, including spring, Easter and St. Patrick’s Day, and check back often for newness across our entire assortment.
SB: What trends in pet toys, apparel, and accessories are driving these new product launches?
JW: Because pet parents view and treat pets as an extension of themselves and as any other human family member, they often seek out pet products that align with their own favorite items and trending finds, whether in apparel, accessories or home décor. “Barkitecture” is a great example of the pet humanization trend, and it continues to gain popularity as pet parents opt to seamlessly integrate pet products into their home’s aesthetic and seasonal décor. As this trend has grown, we’ve expanded our holiday collection to include themed pet beds, blankets, throw pillows, tea towels, cable-knit stockings and more to help pet parents integrate their pets into their holiday décor in a festive, yet functional way. Other more evergreen examples include litter boxes, cat trees, dog beds and waste bags that seamlessly fit within the home.
Last year, we also launched Reddy Kitchen, a thoughtfully designed line of mealtime solutions for pets that blend in with contemporary urban kitchen spaces.
SB: How does Petco ensure its exclusive product lines remain both innovative and practical for pet parents?
JW: We developed these on-trend product lines to fit pet parents’ aesthetic and meet their practical needs. Pet parents are looking for functional products that look good – examples include toys; collars, leads and harnesses; beds; cat trees; and litter boxes — but in colors, prints and textiles that fit their vibe or home aesthetic. We leverage our own customer data and keep our finger on the pulse of trends in the human space to help drive innovation. Pet parents can always find something with us that blends in effortlessly with their lifestyles and home, and satisfies both form and function.
SB: What factors influenced the decision to include dedicated fixtures for trending and grab-and-go items under $10?
JW: We strive to provide pet parents with a seamless in-store experience that spotlights affordable, top-rated items. We want to show pet parents that treating their pets doesn’t have to break the bank.
SB: What role do exclusive collections and curated shopping experiences play in strengthening customer loyalty?
JW: New, exclusive collections and a seamless, curated shopping experience play a big role in customer loyalty. We’re the only retailer that can deliver a complete, one-stop approach to pet care— from trend-forward apparel, accessories and toys to essential food, supplies and veterinary, training and grooming care. Pet parents come to Petco for this unique, complete offering that they can’t find anywhere else.
SB: Are there any other exciting launches or innovations pet parents can look forward to in 2025?
JW: We have many exciting, on-trend and exclusive launches on the docket for (2025), and we can’t wait for pets and pet parents to fall just as in love with the collections as we have.
