STOP & SHOP LAUNCHES PET LINE

Stephanie Fagnani

QUINCY, Mass. -- Stop & Shop has launched a new private-label line of pet products called Companion, which the company has been promoting through printed advertisements and in-store displays.

The circular for the week of Feb. 2-8 featured photos of some of the new products along with the statement, "Our quality ingredients are formulated in just the right amounts to provide everything your pet needs for complete and balanced nutrition."

The chain is also giving loyalty card members the chance to win free Companion pet food for a year after purchasing $5 worth of the products.

During a recent visit to a store in Wappingers Falls, N.Y., SN spotted an endcap in the back of the store near the seafood department, adjacent to the store's usual aisle of weekly specials. Featured were 13.2-ounce cans of dog and puppy food at 3 for $1, in chicken and beef flavor for puppies and chunky beef for adult dogs.

Within the actual pet aisle, various Companion products for both dogs and cats were identified on special with yellow shelf tags. Dry dog food in a 37.5-pound bag was $10.99, 17.6 pounds for $6.99 and 4.4 pounds for $2.49. Moist dog food in a 4-pound, 8-ounce box sold for $2.99.

Cat food was 18 pounds for $6.99, and a special 3.5-pound hairball formula was on sale for $2.49. A 20-pound bag of cat litter cost $2.95.