We help pet owners everywhere understand and gain the value of supporting local, independently-owned pet stores. The savings, the experience, the quality nutrition, and community support. That’s what we’re all about! Check out the webpage – www.mypetseatlocal.com
Astro and the Brands will be using Social Media and other avenues to solicit and acquire new customers for Astro retailers!
How will Astro go about confirming that a new customer is indeed a ‘New Customer?’
The primary goal of MPEL is to guide pet owners away from massive online platforms like __ [rhymes with Huey, Dewey, and Louie] and corporate big-box retailers, encouraging them to shop locally at an Astro Neighborhood Pet Shop.
To make this happen, we need to verify that a prospective MPEL customer doesn’t already have an account with an Astro retailer.
When pet owners register for MPEL, they’ll enter an email address (and possibly a phone number). These unique identifiers will help us determine if they already have a Pet Owner Account in our system.
- If they already have an account: Astro will send them an email thanking them for shopping locally. This email will include the name of the store they’re already a customer of, plus links to download the Astro App—helping them discover the loyalty rewards they’ve already earned. (If they’ve moved and need to switch retailers, there’s a separate process for that.)
- If they’re new to Astro: They’ll be asked to verify their email address before their Pet Owner Account is created.
This ensures a smooth experience while reinforcing the value of supporting local pet shops.
What's in it for new MPEL customers?
Astro has been brainstorming ways to entice new customers to break ties with big-box chains and shop locally. Whatever discount or perk we offer needs to be both appealing to customers and fair to the participating retailers.
Our initial idea was to let each retailer opt-in to honoring a 10% Off Coupon for a customer’s first purchase. However, we’re exploring even better options—ones that ensure a new MPEL pet owner chooses your store because it’s the perfect fit for their needs. After all, MPEL’s true success lies in turning that first visit into a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and beyond. Stay tuned as we carefully weigh the possibilities!
You may have already seen a survey (or two) about potential MPEL discounts—and there’s a good chance more will come your way before we launch. Your input is invaluable. MPEL will succeed if we work together, and we’re committed to creating a platform that we can all be excited about.
Why isn't MPEL launched yet?
Truthfully, it’s because we care deeply about getting it right. The idea behind MPEL is simple: encourage pet owners to shop locally. But the challenge—the part we keep revisiting—is how to make that connection last.
Sure, we could connect a pet owner with a nearby store using a first-time coupon. But if that’s all we do, chances are they’ll return to what’s familiar and convenient, like doorstep deliveries from massive online platforms. To break that cycle, we need to offer something more meaningful—a connection that makes your store their store.
We want these new pet owners to choose you because you’re their perfect fit. We want them to feel like they’ve found their people, to love their experience so much that they tell their friends about you.
We’ve learned a lot about loyalty from managing our current programs, and we know loyalty isn’t just about the first visit—it’s about every visit after. That’s why we’re taking the time to ensure MPEL is a platform that fosters genuine, lasting relationships between pet owners and their local independent pet retailers.