Bend-based Ruffwear plans to open two more stores in China. Published 8:30 am Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... | Bend-based Ruffwear is unleashing its next phase of global expansion in China, with two new retail stores set to open in 2027. The maker of outdoor gear for dogs opened its first permanent store in Shanghai earlier this year. The company also has a second, pop-up style location, also in Shanghai. Its Chinese distribution partner, Carez, plans to open another Shanghai store and a "Ruffwear Camp" location outside Hangzhou next year, said Sarah McCandless, Ruffwear's head of global sales. The Ruffwear Camp in Hangzhou is around 110 miles southwest of Shanghai. The camp will include a retail space, cafe and outdoor recreation space for Ruffwear fans to have access to outdoor trails with their dogs. China and its 1.3 billion inhabitants represents a large growth market for Ruffwear, which was founded in 1994 by Patrick Kruse. Pets were once considered "bourgeois" luxury in China but attitudes have shifted, particularly among Gen-Z and Millennials. Pet-friendly cafes, dog parks and premium pet services are becoming common in large cities. The new locations will serve as retail stores and community gathering places, with events and other opportunities for dog owners to connect with the brand, said McCandless. Ruffwear works with distribution partners in international markets, giving them a role in decision about how to promote the brand, including opening stores. "We're excited to see our distributor partner Carez, continuing to grow the brand in China and creating opportunities for more dogs and their humans to experience Ruffwear," McCandless said. The company also operates a store at its headquarters in Bend's Northwest Crossing, where it sells its products and hosts community events and classes. About michael Kohn. Michael Kohn has been public lands and environment reporter with The Bulletin since 2019. He enjoys hiking in the hills and forests near Bend with his family and exploring the state of Oregon. He can be reached at: 541-617-7818, [email protected]

Ruffwear appoints sararh McCandless Head of Global Sales. She brings outdoor retail experience and brand fluency earned through years of leading customer service and sales operations. May 21, 2026 (PRESS RELEASE) BEND, OR - Ruffwear, the originator of outdoor performance gear for dogs, has announced that Sarah McCandless, formerly the brand's Director of Customer Experience, has been named Head of Global Sales. A long time member of the Ruffwear Pack, McCandles brings depth of outdoor retail experience with a brand fluency earned through years of leading customer service and sales operations teams within the brand. In this new role, she will lead the global sales strategy and team, reporting directly to President Rob Little. With previous retail and outdoor experience at outdoor pillars including REI and Columbia, Sarah joined Ruffwear customer service and sales team in 2019. There she was instrumental in streamlining Ruffwear operations and expanding the department's capabilities while staying committed to the brand's mission of inspiring dog and human connections outdoors. Her core philosophy of prioritizing the customer at the center of every decision makes her a natural fit to take on this elevated role at Ruffwear. "Sarah brings a profound understanding of what keeps Ruffwear true to its north star - the customer," said Rob Little, Brand President of Ruffwear. "Her dedication to creating standardized processes without ever losing the human element, combined with her passion for mentoring and building strong, empowered teams, makes her an excellent leader to drive our global sales strategy forward." Throughout her career, McCandless has brought a strong appreciation for aligning premium, performance-based products with purpose-led organizations. At Ruffwear, she has embraced the opportunity to champion dogs as integral trail partners, stepping into a leadership role for a brand that embodies the belief that every dog is an explorer. "As a member of Ruffwear's Pack, I am thrilled to continue my journey with a brand that so perfectly marries high-quality, technical gear with a guiding, core mission," said McCandless. "Whether working with independent retailers or larger partners, that shared love of dogs and the outdoors is a universal language. I look forward to leading our sales team, empowering our retail partners, and getting more people outside with their adventure companions - something I love doing with my own rescue dog, Roxy." Since 1994, Ruffwear has blazed new trails in the creation of purpose-made, functional gear that strengthens the connection between dogs and humans through outdoor pursuits. Along with a desire to push boundaries and explore, Ruffwear is dedicated to achieving impactful sustainability goals - sourcing materials from environmentally responsible partners, increasing the lifecycle of products, and maintaining an agile supply chain to protect humans, their dogs, and the world they play in. Based in Bend, Oregon, Ruffwear sells its products through specialty pet and outdoor retailers as well as at www.ruffwear.com. About Ruffwear. Ruffwear's mission is to build performance dog gear to enhance and inspire exploration for outdoor adventurers and their human companions. Since 1994, Ruffwear Performance Dog Gear(TM) has combined technology, quality, fit, function, and safety to facilitate its belief that every dog is an explorer. The brand is committed to enhancing the lives of all dogs and their human companions through relationships with local dog adoption groups, conservation, and working dog organizations across the globe. Featured video. NASC Media Spotlight. At first it was just an idea: Animal supplements needed the same quality control that human-grade supplements receive. But that was enough to start a movement and an organization - the National Animal Supplement Council - that would be dedicated to establishing a comprehensive path forward for the animal supplements industry. In this Media Spotlight interview, NASC's president, Bill Bookout, talks to PETS+ interviewer Chloe DiVita about the industry today: Where it's headed, what's the latest focus and why it's vital to gain the involvement of independent pet product retailers. You may like. Subscribe. Bulletins. Get the most important news and business ideas from PETS+.