Line to Launch at Kmart, Safeway, Meijer, Stop & Shop, and Giant This Summer

June 2, 2009, St. Louis, MO., and New York, NY., — Nestlé Purina announced the launch of a comprehensive line of Purina-licensed dog and cat accessories at retailers including Kmart, Safeway, Meijer, Stop & Shop and Giant. The collection, Purina Pet Gear, will launch across a variety of categories this summer, including toys, feeding accessories, beds, stain and odor products, shampoos, and pet-hair pickup tools, to be followed by collars, leashes and grooming aides.

With over 85 years of heritage in the pet care industry, Nestlé Purina along with the assistance of its licensing agency, The Beanstalk Group, strategically selected experienced pet accessory manufacturers to combine Purina’s pet expertise with the licensees’ manufacturing and distribution capabilities. Licensees include Ethical Products, Inc., Bow Wow Pet, and The oneCARE Company.

“Many of the current pet accessory offerings are either not well-known or completely unbranded,” said Tom Blair, Vice President, Business Development, North America, Nestlé Purina PetCare. “We are proud that, through our licensing partners, pet owners can now turn to the trusted Purina name and the Purina Pet Gear Line for a complete pet accessory solution.”

Purina Pet Gear was specifically designed with the pet in mind, to help enrich their lives and help stimulate, relax or clean. As with all Purina products and initiatives, the line aims to promote responsible pet care, humane education, and the positive bond between people and their pets. Across all categories, the products will feature signature colors and patterns to form a cohesive retail experience.

“Although consumer spending habits have greatly shifted in this economy, consumers are continuing to spend on pet products,” said Michael Stone, president and CEO of The Beanstalk Group. “Purina has been a brand trusted by pet owners for more than 85 years, providing it a unique opportunity to seamlessly expand beyond its established products and emerge as a trusted brand across pet accessories. Consumers will know when they buy a Purina Pet Gear product, they are purchasing a high-quality, safe and inventive product.”

Ethical Products, Inc. has been a leader in new and innovative pet accessory products for more than 50 years. For Nestlé Purina PetCare, it will manufacture and market dog and cat leashes, collars, toys and feeding accessories.

Bow Wow Pet is one of the largest independent producers of pet beds in the United States. It will be manufacturing dog and cat beds for the Purina brand.

The oneCARE Company has long-standing experience in the pet care market. It will manufacture dog and cat grooming aides, shampoos, stain and odor products, and pet hair rollers, all to carry the Purina brand.

For additional product information, please visit the Purina Pet Gear Web site at www.purinapetgear.com.

About Nestlé Purina PetCare Company Nestlé Purina PetCare Company promotes responsible pet care, humane education, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. The North American headquarters for Nestlé Purina PetCare Company is located at Checkerboard Square in St. Louis, Missouri. The company is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A.—the world's largest food company.