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Schooby · 11-15-2010, 03:34 PM

The pet store that I buy dog food from sent this out today.

Changes to Orijen and We're Lowering Prices!

Monday, November 15, 2010
Starting later this month, you'll see several changes to the Orijen line of dog and cat foods. Outlined below are some subtle changes to the product / packaging, including higher protein levels in all formulas. As part of this formula improvement, Orijen is raising prices for its retailers; in response, we're lowering our gross margin (for you business majors, we're going to make less money) on all Orijen products to help you keep food costs down.
Here are the details on the changes, and our new pricing:
Formula Improvement: Rest assured, these are simple changes that do not compromise the integrity of the product. 'Improved' is not just corporate-speak for 'cheapened'.
More fresh meat ingredients, now 80% of the product before processing; Formulas now have an 80% / 20% meat-to-fruits/vegetables ratio rather than the old 70% / 30%.
The first five ingredients are animal-based--no other dry kibble can match this.
Protein levels are slightly lower because of the use of fresh meats (higher moisture levels). So after processing the total weight of the meat will be a little lower.
The use of fresh meat increases the levels of Glucosamine and Chondroitin.
The greater use of fresh foods will cause greater variation in the color and shape of the kibble.
Feeding transition is not needed when switching from the old formulas.
Ship Dates: The Adult Dog and Adult Cat will be the first formulas to change, and you should see them on our shelves in late November. The other formulas will ship in the following weeks.
Packaging: For the second consecutive year, Orijen has been awarded "Pet Food of the Year" for 2010-2011 by The Glycemic Research Institute in Washington, DC; the small bags (5.5lb) will have a different shape to better protect against shipping damage; finally a handy icon will note the types of proteins in each formula--fish, red meats, etc.
Pricing: Effective December 1st, our wholesale cost will be increasing, which will force us to raise prices; but we're not going to raise them as much as would normally be the case given the level of increase that we're receiving.
In other words, we're going to absorb some of this increase so that you don't have to. As an example, Orijen 6 Fish 29.7lb is currently priced at $72.99, which is Orijen's suggested retail. On the 1st of December, Orijen's suggested retail will increase to $78.99; however, here we will only increase the price to around $74.
Given that prices are rising for many basic commodities, as I discuss in my commentary in our monthly newsletter that will be out in the next few days, I hope my decision proves useful for anyone using Orijen's fantastic products to help keep their pets healthy.

Has anyone else heard anything? What are your thoughts? I feed a rotation of Orijen, Acana, Instinct, and Prairie. I can get these locally, and trust the companies (Champion and Nature's Variety).

11-15-2010, 03:34 PM	#1
Schooby YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 897	Formula changes for Orijen The pet store that I buy dog food from sent this out today. Changes to Orijen and We're Lowering Prices! Monday, November 15, 2010 Starting later this month, you'll see several changes to the Orijen line of dog and cat foods. Outlined below are some subtle changes to the product / packaging, including higher protein levels in all formulas. As part of this formula improvement, Orijen is raising prices for its retailers; in response, we're lowering our gross margin (for you business majors, we're going to make less money) on all Orijen products to help you keep food costs down. Here are the details on the changes, and our new pricing: Formula Improvement: Rest assured, these are simple changes that do not compromise the integrity of the product. 'Improved' is not just corporate-speak for 'cheapened'. More fresh meat ingredients, now 80% of the product before processing; Formulas now have an 80% / 20% meat-to-fruits/vegetables ratio rather than the old 70% / 30%. The first five ingredients are animal-based--no other dry kibble can match this. Protein levels are slightly lower because of the use of fresh meats (higher moisture levels). So after processing the total weight of the meat will be a little lower. The use of fresh meat increases the levels of Glucosamine and Chondroitin. The greater use of fresh foods will cause greater variation in the color and shape of the kibble. Feeding transition is not needed when switching from the old formulas. Ship Dates: The Adult Dog and Adult Cat will be the first formulas to change, and you should see them on our shelves in late November. The other formulas will ship in the following weeks. Packaging: For the second consecutive year, Orijen has been awarded "Pet Food of the Year" for 2010-2011 by The Glycemic Research Institute in Washington, DC; the small bags (5.5lb) will have a different shape to better protect against shipping damage; finally a handy icon will note the types of proteins in each formula--fish, red meats, etc. Pricing: Effective December 1st, our wholesale cost will be increasing, which will force us to raise prices; but we're not going to raise them as much as would normally be the case given the level of increase that we're receiving. In other words, we're going to absorb some of this increase so that you don't have to. As an example, Orijen 6 Fish 29.7lb is currently priced at $72.99, which is Orijen's suggested retail. On the 1st of December, Orijen's suggested retail will increase to $78.99; however, here we will only increase the price to around $74. Given that prices are rising for many basic commodities, as I discuss in my commentary in our monthly newsletter that will be out in the next few days, I hope my decision proves useful for anyone using Orijen's fantastic products to help keep their pets healthy. Has anyone else heard anything? What are your thoughts? I feed a rotation of Orijen, Acana, Instinct, and Prairie. I can get these locally, and trust the companies (Champion and Nature's Variety).