People love their pets, but they also love their money, and generally become fairly careful when it comes to spending money on their animals.
That’s not to say people don’t lavish their dogs and cats with toys, food, and all sorts of other things to play on or play with, but they are somewhat cautious when doing it.
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Most pet owners understand that you can buy pet toys from Amazon or Chewy at very low prices. That makes them less likely to buy those items if they happen to be in a pet store.
Pet stores themselves have struggled because who wants to go to a physical location to buy something heavy like dog food or kitty litter? Instead, most people, or at least many pet owners, have those items delivered by either Amazon or Chewy.
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People can love their pets and be willing to spend a lot of money on them without actually doing so. Your dog does not know he’s playing with your old tennis ball or a new toy that came as part of a subscription service.
When an animal can have fun with the empty box, the item was delivered in, that makes it hard to argue for lavish spending on dog related items.
BarkBox has struggledÂ
There was a period where subscription boxes were really hot. You might sign up to get a box filled with comic books, workout gear, or who knows what else every, quarter, or even every month.
BarkBox was an attempt to leverage that craze for dogs. The company offers one simple product:
“BarkBox: A monthly themed box of toys, treats, and unleashed joy, thoughtfully designed to satisfy every dog’s unique playstyle,” BarkBox shared on its website.
Pet parents have to answer some questions about their dog and then can select the frequency of delivery.Â
BarBox also offers selections based around more durable toys:
“Super Chewer: A monthly themed box of durable toys, treats, and chews for adventure-seeking dogs, designed to challenge and engage for longer-lasting play.”
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And, there’s a box for dental care:
“Dental: Health and wellness support that makes caring for your dog simple, effortless, and totally worth a full-body tail wag.”
And, of course, a food option as well:
“Food: Healthy and delicious food and supplements for your breed, made by nutritionists and delivered to your door.”
BarkBox’s parent company faces delisting
Bark, Inc. shared that the New York Stock Exchange issued a notice on July 10, 2025 informing the company that it is no longer in compliance with its continued listing standards under the NYSE’s Minimum Stock Price Standard. The average closing price of the company’s common stock was less than $1 per share over a consecutive 30 trading-day period ended July 9, 2025.
Under Section 802.01C, the section of the NYSE rules that includes the Minimum Stock Price Standard, Bark has six months following receipt of the notice to regain compliance with the listing standard. Compliance can be achieved if on the last trading day of any calendar month during the cure period (or the last trading day of the cure period) the company has a closing share price of at least $1 and an average closing share price of at least $1 over the prior 30 trading-day period ending on the last trading day of the applicable calendar month or the cure period.
Bark intends to remain listed on the NYSE and is considering all available options to regain compliance with the NYSE’s continued listing standards, including, but not limited to, a reverse stock split, subject to stockholder approval.
“The notice has no immediate impact on the listing of the company’s common stock, which will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE during such cure period, subject to the company’s compliance with other NYSE continued listing standards. Furthermore, the notice is not anticipated to impact the ongoing business operations of the Company or its reporting requirements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,” the company shared in a press release.Â
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For the full year, Bark saw total revenue drop by 1.2% to $484.2 million. The company’s loss of $32,9 million was actually an improvement over the previous year.
The company’s cash and cash equivalents balance as of March 31, 2025 was $94 million, and reflects $10.5 million of share repurchases in the fourth quarter at an average price of $1.71. Bark’s inventory balance as of March 31, 2025 was $88.1 million, a $3.9 million increase compared to last year.
