Newsletter - Pet Trade Xtra

Wag and Tone is the winner of the inaugural ‘Get Pets Fit Award’, organised by the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association, acknowledging the great work undertaken by Karen Laker in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire to promote fitness among her dog and human clients...

Dog owners nationwide urged to become more active with their pets

Agility instructor Karen Laker, of award-winning Wag & Tone, believes that dog owners nationwide should make a New Year's Resolution to get active with their animals. It would help to halt the increase in the number of obese dogs and make the lives of both humans and pets much more rewarding, she says.

What's in store for the pet industry in 2015?

Pet Trade Xtra asked leading figures in the industry to look into their crystal balls and predict what we can all expect in the New Year...

Independent retailers must capitalise on their USPs

Independent retailers will thrive in 2015 if they capitalise on their unique selling points, according to Nigel Baker, CEO of the Pet Industry Federation. "They should continue to provide valuable advice and guidance to pet owners, and look for creative ways of upselling," he says...

The pet industry is thriving...and trend looks set to continue

The amount of media attention, especially on TV, has helped the pet industry to thrive in 2014...and the trend is likely to continue throughout next year. That's the view of Guy Blaskey, founder of the award-winning Pooch & Mutt...

Employees are becoming dissatisfied with current salaries

Recruitment specialist Lynda Ward, of Pet Trade Solutions, says that salaries in the industry are becoming a major concern with employees...

Consumers search for value-for-money when buying pet food

Tom Page, sales and marketing director of pet food giant Wagg, says the consumer is still seaching for value-for-money when buying food for their animals...

Something new, something different, something innovative...that's what modern-day dog owners want

Independent pet shops need to offer customers something new, something different, and something innovative, argues Alex Wilson, sales and marketing director of AmPet Products. "Look for colourful designs that leap off the shelves," he advises retailers looking for a competitive edge...

Tackling the challenges facing the aquatics trade in 2015

The big challenge facing the aquatics industry in 2015 is how we educate customers about the need not to release non-native plants and species into the UK countryside, says Keith Davenport, chief executive of OATA...

Award-winning pet store shares some of its secrets for success

Award-winning Manchester pet retailer Betty & Butch has offered independent shops some timely New Year advice as the pressures continue to mount in 2015...

Stock natural brands from trustworthy, responsible companies, advises Lily's Kitchen boss

Lily's Kitchen anticipate media interest into pet food will continue in 2015 and are advising retailers to stock natural brands from trustworthy, responsible companies who have transparency and ethics at their core...

Butch & Bess set to rebrand as HOWND in the New Year

Natural pet grooming product company Butch & Bess, which manufactures shampoos and coat sprays for pet owners and professionals, has announced plans for a rebrand at the start of the new year. The Borehamwood-based company, which has been named as one of the best emerging product businesses in the UK by Startups, will adopt the brand name HOWND from January 1 2015, falling under a new parent company called Power Pet Group Ltd...

Pooch & Mutt sells a million treats a week and gets coverage in the Sunday Telegraph

Pooch & Mutt, the award-winning pet health company that sells a million treats a week, has ended 2014 on a high note after being featured in the Business section of the Sunday Telegraph...

Johnsons' wild bird care products are set to fly off the shelves

Retailers are being urged to stock up on Johnson's range of wild bird care products in anticipation of a cold start to 2015...

Seasons greetings and best wishes for the New Year

This is the final edition of Pet Trade Xtra for 2014. Thanks for reading our stories throughout the year. It just leaves us with the opportunity to wish you a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. See you in 2015.

Pet Trade Xtra

Anti-fouling poster depicts dog poo bags on Christmas tree

Dog owners in Cornwall are being targeted by an anti-fouling campaign which includes a poster of a Christmas tree 'decorated' with dog poo bags...

American giant PetSmart sold to UK investor BC Partners in $8.7bn deal

UK investor BC Partners beat larger US rivals to clinch the world's biggest private equity takeover this year, striking a $8.7bn (£5.5bn) deal to land pet retailer PetSmart.

Lily's Kitchen puts poorly pooches on the road to recovery

With the launch of a unique Recovery Recipe, Lily’s Kitchen hascome to the rescue of poorly and recovering dogs and their owners nationwide. This new wholesome food is as gentle on the tummy as home-made chicken and rice and should help dogs get back on their paws in no time...

Brighton cracks down on impulse pet purchasing

Brighton and Hove City Council has taken a national lead on responsible pet-selling. The Animal Protection Agency praised it for adopting measures to reduce ‘impulse’ pet purchasing and encourage ‘informed decision-making’ when animals are bought from pet shops.

Telegraph Christmas Charity boost for Medical Detection Dogs

The charity Medical Detection Dogs will feature in this year’s Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal, and, as one of its supporters, Royal Canin is encouraging the specialist pet trade to get behind the campaign...

Pets Christmas health warning from Forthglade

British TV presenter Adam Henson and natural pet food brand Forthglade highlight the dangers of sharing indulgent Christmas foods with pets, raising awareness of the human foods that could result in trips to doggie A&E.

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