A total of 1,677 visitors attended this year’s PATS Sandown as the pet trade experienced two highly successful days of business activity. Retailers and buyers braved the worst of Storm Ciara to discover hundreds of new products being launched at the show.
“We were pleased with the high quality of visitors, which included independent pet retailers, the major pet chains, garden centres, high street stores and international buyers,” said organiser Gordon Thomas. “It was great to see that the pet industry wasn’t put off by the awful weather and travelling conditions, ensuring that PATS Sandown experienced another highly successful show.”
The New Product Showcase, sponsored by pbwnews, attracted a record entry for PATS Sandown of more than 200 products and was a busy area throughout the event, with retailers admitting they were spoiled for choice as they decided on which items to stock in their stores for the year ahead.
“PATS is a must visit twice a year for me. It's the best way to see and try new exciting products,” said award-winning retailer Sammie Hunt, of Redpaw Pet Supplies. “As well as being able to meet the faces behind the companies, learning more about their ethos, the show gives great opportunities to build working relationships, along with taking advantage of exclusive show deals. Without shows like PATS we would struggle to keep up with the pet retail industry developments and trends.”
The positive mood was echoed by exhibitors with Beco Pets co-founder George Bramble admitting: “The number and quality of visitors to the Beco Lounge exceeded our expectations. Sustainability initiatives was a big topic of conversation with retailers on our stand.”
Pet Munchies founder Suzanne Rothman agreed that PATS continues to deliver a high quality of visitor to the Sandown Park show, adding: “You can always be sure that it’s the decision makers who come to your stand. We also saw a lot of potential new customers.”
And Fiona Mascall, sales executive at Mark and Chappell, praised the buyers who travelled to the show during the worst of the weather on Sunday, added there was a good mix of current and new customers to the company’s stand over the two days. “Overall, it was a good show for us,” she said.
PATS’ chosen charity Dogs for Good, who train assistance dogs for adults and children with physical disabilities, were given a great reception at the show. As well as collecting cash donations from visitors and exhibitors, the charity were given items from the New Product Showcase to use as competition prizes at their many events.
Volunteer Stuart Rourke said: “Everyone has been marvellous. Lots of interest was shown in the work we do, and people were generous in giving money to the charity.”
PATS is now looking forward to its September showpiece at Telford International Centre, Shropshire, and already many companies have booked their stands. All the latest news and the exhibitor list can be found on a new-look website www.patshow.co.uk
Date for the diary
PATS Telford takes place on September 27-28, 2020
