A record number of visitors attended this year’s PATS Sandown, making it the biggest and busiest show in the event’s six-year history at the venue.
A total of 1,903 retailers visited the show, representing an increase of 3% on the number who attended PATS Sandown 2014.
The feeling from more than 160 companies exhibiting was very positive, and this year’s show proved to be a real boost for the pet industry.
Suzanne Rothman, of Pet Munchies, summed up the feeling by saying: “This show has exceeded all my expectations and we’ve had a tremendous response from visitors to our stand. We took more orders by 2pm on the first day than we did at Harrogate last September, which had previously been our best PATS. There has been a constant buzz throughout the exhibition.”
And Charlotte Nash from Precious Pets London said: “PATS has been fantastic for building awareness of the brand and for establishing new business relationships. We couldn't have asked for more from the show or its organisers.”
“We are absolutely delighted and honoured to have been awarded the PATS Best New Grooming Product Award 2014. We stand for British, naturally derived products that look and smell fantastic.”
PATS Sandown newcomer Christies Direct from Northern Ireland was impressed with the quality of visitors to the exhibition, with Colin Christie adding: “We used the show to launch our PetCare Flea & Tick Treatment and the response has been amazing. Winning a New Product Award certainly helped in creating lots of awareness.”
Austrian company Petwalk Solutions were another company exhibiting at Sandown for the first time, using the event to showcase their automatic door for cats. Beate Umile commented: “This show gave us an excellent opportunity to enter the UK market. We wanted to promote our product to retailers and begin discussions with potential partners, and we have achieved our goal and more.”
Another Sandown first-timer Natural Pet Treats from Rochdale in Greater Manchester used PATS to broaden their customer base in the South, and were extremely pleased with the result. Julie Matthews admitted they had achieved their goals, adding: “It has been really useful and we have picked some really good leads.”
And visitors were happy too. Kathy and Katie Carter, from Wagtastic in Canterbury, said: “PATS is everything we expected and more. There are great displays around the whole show, everyone is really friendly and the show has a great feel. This is our first visit and we’ve had a great time. We’ll definitely come again next year.”
Kelly Murfet, of Doggie Delights, was impressed with all the new products and show offers. “I’m always looking for innovations in the market and this is the place to see them. It’s great to meet manufacturers and suppliers face to face and be able to talk to them at length.”
And Dave Payne, of Wolvens Store, “This is my third visit to PATS and I’m always looking for new things that catch my eye. The show has been great seeing the best products under one roof.”
The final word goes to Ben Williams, the pet and aquatic buyer for the Garden & Leisure Group of garden centres, who said: “I’ve attended every PATS show since the beginning and this is the busiest it’s ever been.”
