A chance meeting between Jerry Smith of Rhino Global Solutions and executives at Carnivore Meat Company sparked a transformation that helped generate new sales and land additional retailers for Carnivore’s Vital Essentials Raw Bar line of dog snacks.

Thanks to a collaborative effort to completely reimagine and redesign its point-of-purchase (POP) displays, the Raw Bar line became a breakout success and set a new standard across the pet retail industry.

“The Raw Bar is a key differentiator for us,” said Nick Ebert, Chief Commercial Officerat Carnivore. “It sets the tone for what quality looks like in the treats and snacks category.”

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Where It Began

At a trade show, Rhino’s team noticed Carnivore’s first-generation free-standing display rack and immediately pointed out design improvements—many of which Carnivore had already flagged internally.

But Rhino didn’t stop there. “They were tenacious,” Nick said. “They kept coming back, taking measurements, looking at it from every angle, and working to understand the product and the retail space.”

While the original display looked fine, it lacked stability and didn’t rotate smoothly—issues that affected customer engagement in-store.

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Design, Prototype, Execute

Within three weeks, Rhino returned with detailed schematics and design recommendations. Then they built a prototype and quickly moved into final production.

Nick was especially impressed with Rhino’s overseas partners: “The group they work with in China is just awesome. Every detail, every measurement—nothing is overlooked.”

Carnivore made the switch. Now on the third iteration of the display, each version has improved functionality, durability, and capacity.

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The Results

The impact was clear.

Retailers loved the updated displays—so much so that some kept both the original and the new Rhino version. Customers at trade shows praised them as the “most functional and profitable display” they had in-store.

Today, the Vital Essentials Raw Bar rack is used as a sales tool to secure new retail accounts. According to Nick:

• 50–60% of Carnivore’s retail partners now have the Rhino-designed rack

• 30–50 new retailers come on board each month with Raw Bar racks

• Holding capacity nearly doubled with updated basket sizes

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Why It Works

The Rhino rack takes up just 20 square inches, allowing flexible placement anywhere—from checkout counters to open floor space. Its 360-degree design is common in retail, but unique in pet—offering a fresh, interactive experience.

Even the dogs notice. “We hear all the time that pets walk right up and sniff the lower shelves,” Nick said. “That interaction drives the human to buy.”

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Why Rhino Was the Right Partner

Rhino didn’t just deliver a display—they delivered a partnership. “They don’t just chase the PO,” Nick said. “The follow-through and transparency are unmatched. No hidden fees. No surprises.”

Rhino frequently checks in, offers support, and brings new ideas to the table. Their commitment to service and long-term value is what makes them stand out.

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Looking Ahead

With Rhino’s help, the Raw Bar displays have fueled rapid growth and expanded store placement. Carnivore is now exploring new products, premium SKUs, and additional innovations to stay ahead.

“The longer you stay in the slow lane, the faster others pass you,” Nick said. “That’s not how we operate at Carnivore.”