In Hall C the PATS Grooming Workshops will display a great variety of grooming products and feature state-of-the-art grooming demonstrations in association with Groom Team England.

And a free-to-attend series of seminars in Hall B will cover a wide range of topics, including strategies for creating customer loyalty, driving sales in the small animal category, how pet stores can thrive in the internet age, an introduction to responsible reptile retailing, and understanding your shoppers.

There's still time to register for free show entry by going online at www.patshow.co.uk. Benefits include free parking (park and ride scheme in operation), free catalogue, free seminars, free cup of tea or coffee, and many special offers. For those visitors arriving before 10am they’ll receive a breakfast voucher, which is redeemable at the Hall B catering points. 

New to PATS Harrogate this year, Pet Product Marketing magazine will be displaying some of the stock that’s up for grabs in its twice-yearly competition, Win Stock for Your Shop.

They’ll be showcasing a selection of the goods that you can win from partnered PATS exhibitors on the special display stand in the visitor lounge, Hall B.

Visiting bricks and mortar pet traders will be able to fill out an entry form for their chance to win.

PPM editor, Jeremy Gay says: “The primary focus of our Win Stock competition is to connect retailers, manufacturers and suppliers, while boosting revenue for independent retailers. This time there’ll be over £5,500 worth of goods to be won, taking the total prize fund for this year’s competition to more than £15,500 — providing a huge and welcome boost for bricks and mortar retailers — so make sure you don’t miss your chance to enter at PATS Harrogate.”

The competition is also a fantastic way for new and growing manufacturers to introduce their products to independent retailers like Jane Fisher, owner of The Pet Shop, Ripon, North Yorkshire and winner of £10,000 of stock in PPM’s last competition.

Jane says: “With any new product there is always a degree of risk when you order it for the first time, which is the great thing about winning a competition like this — you have the chance to trial something new on your customers with zero financial risk.”

Jane received products and lines from big names including Spectrum Brands, parent of the Tetra, FURminator and 8in1 brands, Wagg, Group55 and Bodens Wood Treatment, plus some exclusive products from wholesaler Pedigree Wholesale.

She was also introduced for the first time to independent air-dried pet treats firm Pet Munchies and the Stagbar range of dog chews from Pure Dog, all of whom are generously taking part in this latest competition.

Some of the other big names who’ve stepped in to support the independent retailer for this competition include Burns Pet Nutrition, Europa, Skinners, PetSafe, 3P Enterprise with the new Henry Wag brand, Dog Rocks, Dorwest Herbs and Sneyd’s Wonderfeeds.

For full terms and conditions, visit www.greatcompetitions.co.uk

One of the easiest ways to discover new ideas that could help boost your business is to attend free seminars at a major trade exhibition like PATS.

Many visitors to shows often stumble across talks from retailing experts. They’re probably grateful of somewhere to sit down and rest their feet after walking around the event and talking to exhibitors. But once they start listening to the speakers they’re pleasantly surprised to find that the talk is of genuine interest to them.

Seminar programmes are designed with a particular purpose: To add value to the visitor experience. A lot of time and effort is exerted in organising a strong list of speakers and ensuring that a wide range of topics are covered.

One of the best attended seminars at PATS Sandown in March was given by animal healthcare specialists Merial, where visitors earned Continuing Professional Development points. Because of its success the seminar is being repeated at PATS Harrogate on Sunday and Monday, and is ideal for Suitably Qualified People looking to secure their CPD points for the following year.

It’s worth checking out what subjects are being covered by the seminars. If there’s a subject that catches your eye then make a mental note of the time or write it down in your diary so you don’t miss it. Important topics covered include understanding your shoppers, creating customer loyalty, internet shopping and reptile retailing – all things that could give your business a boost.

Most seminars last about half-an-hour so there’s no time to become bored. In fact, because of the time limit, there’s a lot of information packed into such a short session and often it’s a good idea to take notes or write down bullet points. Usually, the speaker will take questions at the end of the talk, and some will actually invite people to email them with any queries they might have on a particular topic.

Guy Blaskey, from Pooch and Mutt, has given talks at PATS for the past three years and he says: “At every show the audience seems to be full of people who are really interested in pushing their businesses forward and learning about modern marketing techniques.

“I always get some very interesting questions at the end of the talk and people are welcome to follow up with questions via email/ twitter/ facebook.

“A good indication that my talk contained useful advice for retailers was the fact that PPM used a transcript of my talk from Sandown on their website and in the magazine, which generated more interest.”

Taking in two talks will involve just an hour of your time, and as well as resting your weary feet you’ll pick up some free tips and ideas to take back to your business.

To check out the seminars at PATS Harrogate click here

There’s no better place to see and touch new products than a trade show. But planning your trip is key to overall success. Here are some pointers from the PATS team.

Trade shows are a great place to discover new ideas and products, and they often act as the launchpad for the ‘bestsellers’ of tomorrow. Pet product manufacturers and suppliers see these events as a vital part of their marketing strategy because they are an ideal place to showcase their latest innovations.

Attending these exhibitions as a visiting retailer can prove very productive, as they provide the opportunity to find out what’s new and then discuss the products in detail with the relevant supplier. And events like PATS are ideal for allowing visitors to see all the new products under one roof.

But it’s important to make sure that time at trade shows, and the expense of getting there are spent wisely. And that’s where a bit of planning can help to make a day away from the shop pay handsome dividends.

Janine Tozer, from Not Just Pets in Bath, admits to taking a methodical approach to attending trade shows.

“I like to prioritise my trip. Before I actually get to show I know who and what I want to see,” said Janine. “This approach means I will achieve a lot from my visit because my meetings will be productive.

“However, I’m not totally blinkered because it’s important to spot new products that haven’t been on our radar. Discovering things we weren’t aware of becomes an added bonus to the trip.”

Attending trade shows is very important for pet retailers and although being away from the shop can cost time and money in the short term, they can pay handsome dividends in the future. So you must make the most of these opportunities.

Planning your trip to an exhibition like PATS is key. Think about what you want to achieve, and how to go about it. Make a note of which exhibitors you want to see, and if possible call them beforehand to arrange a meeting on their stand.

The PATS website lists all the exhibitors and their stand numbers along with a floorplan. It’s worth spending some time familiarising yourself with how the show is set up even if you haven’t been to the venue before. Once there you’ll soon find your way around as the directional signs are prominent throughout, and all the stands are well numbered. The show catalogue is also a good guide to finding the location of each exhibitor.

Study the show previews in the trade magazines as they’ll give you a great insight into what to expect, timings of informative seminars and other important show information.

The next big show is the two-day PATS Harrogate event, which opens on Sunday. The Sunday opening proved popular with many independent retailers last year because it meant they didn’t have to close their shop or find replacement cover. And some visitors took the opportunity to make a weekend of their trip to Harrogate, spending the Saturday sight-seeing in the area.

Trade exhibitions are designed to help the retailer make the correct buying decisions, and often you can take advantage of exclusive show offers. And remember, the exhibitors want to see you and show off their products, so it puts you in a good bargaining position.

To register for your free entry to PATS click here 

Collarways is launching what it claims is the only lead on the market with a real security feature. Visitors to PATS Harrogate will be able to view the product called Safespot.

Gabriela Lerner, of Collarways said: "Did you know that in the USA over 2 million dogs are stolen each year. More than cars or bicycles! And less than 10% are recovered. Dog theft is an increasing threat in the UK as well, with dogs being reported as stolen every day. 

"Dogs are stolen and held for ransom, for resale, for sale to testing labs, or to keep. For use as bait in dog fights and killed in cult rituals. This is a problem occurring all across the country. Just do a Google search on 'stolen dogs' or 'dog theft'.

"Safespot is the perfect everyday lead and the only lead on the market with a real security feature. With a steel cable-reinforced core, dog owners will have peace-of-mind on those short occasions when they have no choice but to leave their dog unattended. The patented design securely locks the dog to an immovable object or it can be used as a daily walking lead without using the security feature."

Safespot is a fully-adjustable collar and lead in one.  It is another innovative product from the makers of PAWZ disposable boots and 1Z dog coat with built in harness.  Distributed in the UK by Collarways Limited. www.collarways.com 0845 4568395

See Safespot in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agc25abarcA&feature=youtu.be

The awards, sponsored by Westland, Petface, Group55, Canagan and PATS, are aimed at bringing together suppliers and retailers in the UK and internationally.

There are seven categories up for grabs:

• UK Pet Retailer of the Year
• International Pet Retailer of the Year
• Groomer of the Year
• Supplier of the Year
• Wholesaler of the Year
• Pet Product Innovation of the Year
• Pet Product Exporter of the Year

The sought-after and trusted Chuckit range is now available in the UK exclusively from Pedigree Wholesale.

The Chuckit brand offers a range of six interactive play categories with each category addressing different user needs and interests in different ways. The fun, functional, innovative, high quality toys promote canine fitness, enhancing the human-canine bond.

The range includes durable Launchers featuring ergonomic handles and with a range of throwing distances and ball sizes – the longer the launcher the further the throw.

A range of Launcher Compatible toys are available which can be used with or without a Launcher, promoting add on sales and encouraging customers to return. The Launcher Compatible range includes speciality balls that float, bounce higher, glow brighter and whistle louder than standard balls.

A range of Flyers are available which feature diverse flight patterns and offer excellent performance on water and land. Easy to pick up Chuckit Flyers are soft, resilient and designed for high visibility.

Chuckit’s Tug, Shake or Toss range offers a number of toys made from innovative material combinations specifically designed for rough and tough games.

Chuckit Ground Pursuit toys are great for dogs to chase and roll and include grooves which make them easy to pick up. Specifically designed for interactive indoor play and perfect for all year round sales Chuckit’s Indoor toys are made from soft and resilient materials and feature lightweight Bounceflex Core Technology.

Merchandised together an assortment of toys from each of the six Chuckit categories provides an experience that guides the consumer to discover more ways to play, encouraging on-going repeat sales.

Chuckit products feature high quality informative packaging making self-selection easy. The Chuckit brand offers retailers a fantastic premium sales opportunity and is already established in the UK with a loyal consumer following.

If you would like more information about Chuckit contact the Customer Services Team on 0115 982 3900 or email info@petproducts.co.uk

The finalists in the fifth annual Pet Industry Awards were announced this week by the Pet Industry Federation.

The calibre of the nominations received from businesses looking to be head and shoulders above the rest has been the highest seen in the competition’s history, and judging panels now have the unenviable task of whittling these finalists down to winners.

The finalists:

Manufacturer of the Year  - sponsored by PATS

• Dorwest Herbs
• Groomers Limited
• Group 55
• Hungry Hector
• Nature’s Menu

Retailer of the Year – sponsored by Beaphar UK

• Just Dogs, Edinburgh
• Not Just Pets, Bath
• Pet and Aquatics, Cadbury Garden & Leisure, Congresbury, Bristol
• Poole Farm Feed Centre, Great Yeldham, Essex
• The Trop Shop, Grays, Essex

Wholesaler of the Year

• Aquascape Fish Imports
• Pedigree Wholesale
• Peregrine Livefoods
• Pet Brands
• Trilanco

Boarding Establishment of the Year

• Cavalier Lodge Kennels, Norfolk
• Fairmile Cat Hotel, Devon
• Lea Wood Cattery, Lincoln
• Pets Country Manor, Liverpool
• Royvon Kennels, Surrey

By the time of going to press, judges were still deliberating the shortlist for grooming business of the year, which will be announced online very soon.

The Awards winners will be announced at the Hollywood themed Pet Industry Awards dinner to be held at Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth, on Thursday 17 October 2013 from 6.45pm, and will be presented by TV ‘dragon’ and Strictly Come Dancing star, Deborah Meaden. 

Additionally, guests will also applaud the 2013 Lifetime Achievement recipient, and will discover which pet products have won the Pet Product of the Year, as voted for by readers of Your Dog/Cat magazine.

Tickets to the awards event are available from £75.00 per ticket – or book a table of 10 for a discount. Call the PIF team on 01234 273933 or visit www.piffa.co.uk

The Awards are presented in association with media partner PBW News and sponsors PATS, Burgess Pet Care, Pedigree Wholesale and Compton Hall and take place against the backdrop of the Pet Industry Forum – a conference and networking event, tackling cutting-edge issues and business topics.

The Pet Industry Federation Forum begins on Wednesday 16 October with a wine-tasting event and export seminar, before matters such as American trends in pet retailing, the future of wholesale, in-store marketing and how the RSPCA and the pet trade can work closer together, are discussed and debated. Lead sponsors of the Forum are: Crown Petfoods, Nestle Purina, Mars Petcare and Positive Petcare.

Further details about the event, including the current delegate list, can be found at www.piffa.co.uk. You can also telephone 01234 273933. 

Burglars have made off with thousands of pounds worth of exotic pets after they forced their way into a specialist shop.

More than 20 animals, including boa constrictors and geckos, were taken when the thieves smashed open display cases and removed them.

The burglary took place at Pet Mania on Skippers Lane Retail Park, South Bank, near Middlesbrough, overnight on Sunday.

Store manager Carl Dobbs was devastated when he discovered the smashed up cabinets in the recently opened pet shop.

He said: “It was absolutely heartbreaking to discover the shop this morning. Obviously, they have targeted the shop, but I think they have just been looking at the price tags and stealing the most expensive ones.

“It doesn’t look like they were very professional as they smashed the glass on the cases and that could have easily injured the animals. It has been especially upsetting as some of the young snakes that have been stolen are ones that I helped to rear.”

Among the stolen reptiles are Peruvian Longtail Boa, Dwarf Salmon Boa, Dwarf Fusion Boa, two Blood Pythons, Jungle High Yellow Carpet Python, Nicaraguan Dwarf Boa, Salmon Hypo Boa, Pastel Boa, Salmon Jungle High Expression, Salmon Jungle Low Expression, Bredli Python, two Hognose Snakes – these are the mildly poisonous, but not deadly ones and four Leopard Geckos.

He added: “Only two of the snakes are mildly poisonous with a bite from them feeling like a bee sting, however, all the reptiles are supposed to live in carefully controlled environments with temperature controlled tanks.

“Some of the reptiles have special feeding requirements which if it isn’t followed could mean that they will not survive and that would be devastating.

"Hopefully, all of the animals will be returned safely, but until we have carried out a full stock check we won’t know exactly how many have been stolen.”

Anyone who may have been offered any snakes for sale or who has other information is asked to contact PC Stephen Woodacre at Cleveland Police on 101. Alternatively people can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Leading organic and holistic pet food brand, Lily’s Kitchen, is further expanding the natural pet food market with the launch of its new dry food for dogs.  

The new Lovely Lamb with Peas and Parsley dry food for dogs contains all the necessary nutrients to maintain a dog’s healthy lifestyle.

Low in fat, the grain free dry food contains only the freshest grass fed lamb, topped off with sweet potatoes, peas, carrots, spinach and cranberries. 

Filled with an array of botanical herbs including alfalfa, rosehips, chickweed, cleavers, golden rod, nettles, kelp and celery seeds, it also contains L-Carnitine, that helps to promote fat breakdown, meaning a dog stays trim and lean for longer.

Henrietta Morrison, founder of Lily’s Kitchen says: “We are always looking for new delicious flavours to add to the range. The Lovely Lamb with Peas and Parsley is a keen and firm favourite with our chief taster Lily and we are certain your dogs will love it just as much.”

Lovely Lamb with Peas and Parsley has an RRP of £6.99 for 1kg and is available at www.lilyskitchen.co.uk and from independent retailer

Youths who were caught on camera trying to set fire to a Edinburgh pet shop are being hunted by police.

The youths set alight cardboard and tried to slide the flaming debris under the metal shutter at the A1 Pets store in Great Junction Street, Leith.

More than 50 animals and hundreds of fish were inside the premises at the time of the attack shortly after 9pm on Wednesday.

Shop owner Paul Clarke, 29, said: “I saw a group of 15 to 20 youths outside the shop, aged between 14 and 18, who were fighting.

“They were kicking and punching the shop’s shutters.

“I took a photograph of them with my phone to try and help identify them. Then some of the youths set fire to pieces of cardboard and tried to shove them under the shutters. At that point the safety of the animals was my concern and I went over to them and told them that the police had called me about trouble at my shop.

“If any smoke had gone in the smoke inhalation would have been enough to kill the birds.”

Little did they know three years ago in October in 2010 when Guide Dogs fundraiser Diana Mager contacted Kate Byrne from Just for Pets at their head office in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire to see if they could give a home to some new recruits in the form of our Life Sized Dog Collection boxes that they would end up raising so much money that they have recently named their third Guide Dog puppy and are well on the way to reaching the £5000 target for their fourth

The first dog was named Bentley, and recently staff met up with their second and third puppies Jenny and John. 

Kate Byrne from Just for Pets says: “Jenny was named after Jenny Knight, a sales assistant at our Acocks Green Branch. Over the nine years that Jenny has been with us, she has been tremendous at fundraising and Acocks Green raised the most money towards Jenny, and this was mainly through Jenny Knight's efforts."

John was named after John Davis, the recently retired chairman of Wynnstay, the Public Limited Company that Just for Pets are owned by. He joined the board of Wynnstay and Montgomeryshire Farmers Ltd in 1980.  He became chairman of the board in 1992 and chaired the group until his retirement in 2012. His family farms sheep, cattle and arable  in Ruabon (nr Wrexham).

Catrin Rod Community Fundraiser for the Guide Dogs Birmingham and Three Counties Mobility Team said: “Our name a puppy scheme is a fantastic way for companies and indeed individuals to aim for a fundraising target, they get to meet their puppy and follow its progress to ultimately make a difference to the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted, it is only through support such as this that we are able to maintain our lifelong commitment to blind and partially sighted people in the community as the guide dog service relies purely on voluntary income.“

Like all local mobility teams the Birmingham Team work with visually impaired people to provide a mobility service that meets individual’s needs, they have dedicated volunteers who fulfil a variety of roles as well as fundraising, and work collaboratively with other organisations. 

If you or someone you know could benefit from their services or you have some spare time and think you could help by volunteering then please contact the team on 08453 727434, or email birmingham@guidedogs.org.uk   If you want to find out more about Guide Dogs then please visit www.guidedogs.org.uk

Pictured: Guide Dog Jenny visits Just for Pets.

Gardeners in the UK and Ireland will soon be able to enjoy the creativity of the USA’s premier resin statues in their own back garden. As of the end of September, Interpet, the aquatic and pet specialist will be the exclusive distributor of Design Toscano in the UK.

Design Toscano was originally inspired by the impressive carvings of gargoyles and water spouts at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The agreement with Interpet follows the vision of the Company President, Mike Stopka to bring the grandeur of the US products to the UK market.

Mark Hoskins, MD at Interpet UK comments: “It’s great to be working with Mike Stopka and the Design Toscano team as sole distributor of their products in the UK and Ireland.

"The product range brings a mix of elegant, traditional and fun resin statues which complements our extensive range of aquatic and pet products perfectly and we know they’ll be a huge success in the UK market.

"Design Toscano has fast become a well-respected company in the US where they are well renowned for their quality products and attention to detail – these are standards that Interpet values highly and as such we look forward to a close and long-term relationship with them.”

 Interpet will be offering the following key categories and popular themes from the Design Toscano range: Animals, Birds, Prized Pup, Angels, Fairies, and Children.

In line with the launch, Design Toscano will be exhibiting at Glee Birmingham (Hall 4, Stand No. B08) from Sunday, enabling visitors to the show to view and learn more about the extensive range of products.

Design Toscano will be available on the Interpet Catalogue from the end of September: http://interpetcatalogue.com/

3P Enterprise is to begin UK distribution of Flush Puppies, the flushable, compostable and biodegradable dog litter bags.

Unlike other dog poop bags, Flush Puppies are 100% certified compostable (by the Biodegradable Products Institute) and flushable.

Made from Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) – a water soluble, eco-friendly, “green” alternative to plastic – Flush Puppies are specifically made to dispose of dog litter down the toilet. Flush Puppies actually break down in water making them 100% flushable.

Despite the announcement from 3P coming only one week before PATS, the product will be presented in the new product gallery and on the company's stand at B35.

“We are really excited about this new range,” said Grant Rogers of 3P. “The innovative product is of excellent quality with really strong branding. We are expecting to receive a lot of interest in these.”

The product is available in several formats including rolls, resealable pouches, counter top quick-pick display and with a plastic dispenser. 

Leading Leicestershire-based pet accessory and dog training company Xtra Dog has become the official distributor for the Katie’s Bumpers range in the UK. Collarways were the previous distributors of the range.

Xtra Dog specialises in importing quality pet products from the USA and the acquisition of the distribution rights to Katie's Bumpers is testament to the company's growing reputation as a major distributor of superior pet accessories to the UK market that put the wellbeing of dogs first.

Katie’s Bumpers are unique interactive dog toys made from recycled fire hose from the Colorado Fire Department. They are ideal as interactive dog and puppy toys, as well as dummies for gun dogs and use in Dock Dogs events. Champion Dock Dogs competitor Sarah Allen; owner of Elvis and Harry swear by Katie’s Bumpers and believe that they have contributed to their success in the 2013 season. Ann Newman the owner of Digger who is internationally ranked in the top 10 older dogs in the world also uses the range.

All Katie's Bumper products are also designed to float and fly and these colourful products are all manufactured in the USA.

“We are delighted that Katie’s Bumpers are now being used at the top end of the Dock Dogs sport, as well as in the gun dog world and in genreal dog and puppy training” expains  Alex Wilson, a Tellington TTouch Practitioner in Training and Marketing Director of Xtra Dog,

“Katie's Bumpers were designed with both humans and dogs in mind and as well as being cool and unique they are safe for everyone. All of the designs on the bumpers are molded into the non-toxic vinyl as part of the manufacturing process. It is not painted on and therefore will not come off in your dog's  mouth.

"Whether you are a serious dog trainer doing land or water work, or you have a dog that loves to fetch, Katie's Bumpers are great. They are easy for you and your dog to see in just about any setting or weather condition. They have just the right amount of weight for a good toss and when they roll on the ground or on the water, everyone can find them.

"They have been tested in pools, the ocean, lakes and reservoirs and every dog has found their new patterned bumper. They are also easy to wash. You can throw them in the sink and use a little soap and water to get the day's dirt off, or put them in the dishwasher.”

Prices for the toys range from £9.35 up to £15.60.

During the week of the Harrogate PATS Show September 15-19, Xtra Dog will be offering retailers a 10% discount on orders of Katie’s Bumpers. Terms and Conditions apply.

For further information on Katie’s Bunpers or any other Xtra Dog products visit their website at www.xtradog.com or telephone: 0330 088 3547.

In last week's edition of Pet Trade Xtra we stated that pet shop owner Gina Loxam's store was called Pampurred Pets – it should have been Pampered Pets. We're sorry for any confusion caused to PamPurredPets, who were not connected in any way to the story.

Gina, who is closing down Pampered Pets in Morecambe, said her decision had nothing to do with the internet, retail giants and supermarkets, as stated in the article.  It had everything to do with the recession and welfare cuts, said Gina.

"However, I've just heard that Pets at Home are opening a Morecambe branch soon so it could have affected my business," she added.

Notcutts Garden Centres has confirmed that it has entered into discussions with Scotdales Garden Centre with a view to transferring ownership of the Cambridge Garden Centre. Subject to all parties reaching agreement, transfer of the business is planned for 1^st October 2013.

Notcutts has owned the Cambridge site since 2003, when it was previously known as Ansells Garden Centre. Like Notcutts, Scotsdales is a family owned business, which has been operating in the Cambridge area for over 40 years. Their Garden Centre at Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire is one of the largest, single site garden centres in the country with an annual turnover in excess of £14m.

Scotsdales made the approach to Notcutts and a sale is felt to represent a good opportunity for all parties. No redundancies are planned as part of the transfer of ownership.

Notcutts has been open about acquisition being a key objective for the business and confirms that there are several conversations ongoing with regards to the growth of the company and its sites.    

Andrew Staff, Interim CEO at Notcutts said: “When Scotsdales expressed an interest in the centre they made it clear that they were committed to the investment needed to develop the site. We feel this would be positive for the centre and being family owned means that Scotsdales would be a good fit for our colleagues working there."

Caroline Owen, Managing Director of Scotsdales said: “We hope to welcome the team from Notcutts Horningsea to the Scotsdales family, with our intention to invest-in and develop the business over the coming months."