Stop & Shop has a doggone good idea
Stop & Shop’s Port Washington, N.Y., location will supply doghouses to keep pet owners’ dogs in comfort while the humans shop.
The Quincy, Mass.-based retailer announced that it has partnered with DogSpot, a pet-tech startup to pilot the program for 12 weeks this summer. The app-connected doghouses are lockable, self-sanitizing with ultraviolet light, camera-monitored and temperature-controlled.
The doghouses will be available beginning June 6, with a kick-off event scheduled for June 8 where local dog owners can visit the store for “puppuccinos,” photo opps and free demos, according to the company. To use the doghouses, owners simply download the app and can then use or reserve the DogSpot house. Puppy cams will allow owners to check in on the dogs while they shop.
“We know our customers love their pets, so we’re excited to introduce this innovation to our Long Island shoppers as another way to help make their grocery shopping easier and more convenient,” said Stop & Shop Senior Vice President Bob Yager. “Depending on the success of this initial pilot, we may roll out more DogSpots in other communities that we serve across the Northeast.”
DogSpot has more than 60 doghouses currently in retailers across 14 states, including The Kroger Co.-owned QFC stores. The Port Washington Stop & Shop will be the first store to feature the newest doghouse model that can fit a dog that weighs up to 120 pounds.