Newsletter - Pet Trade Xtra

It has been an amazing and eventful year for the UK pet industry with lots of companies making headline news (good and bad) as well as scores of exciting and innovative new products being launched. In this final Pet Trade Xtra bulletin of the year, what better way to look back on 2024 than through the Top 100 best-read stories?

The most read story in 2024 was the sale of the award-winning HOWND business, founded by Mark Hirschel and Jo Amit, to Pets Choice.

Discover which news items made the best-read stories of 2024

Merry Christmas to all Pet Trade Xtra readers

This is the final issue of Pet Trade Xtra for 2024. We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thanks for your continued interest in our weekly newsletter and just to let you know we'll be back on Thursday, January 4, 2024.

Burns retail business to close popular pet shop

Burns Pet Shop at Haverfordwest Showground in Pembrokeshire is to close its doors for the final time on Christmas Eve after a planning application was turned down by the local council...

Spending on pets set to hit £1bn this Christmas

New research from Pets at Home reveals that over two-thirds (68%) of pet owners are ready to treat their furry friends this festive season, with many planning to spend up to £50 each. Collectively, UK pet lovers are set to splash an incredible £1.1 billion on their pets this Christmas...

Sneak peak at Pets & Friends’ latest store revamp

Family-owned Pets & Friends, which currently operates with 19 outlets, has revamped its second store at Mapperley Plains, Nottingham.

Jollyes makes first £5,000 charity donation

Jollyes has handed over £5,000 to the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals after beginning fundraising for the charity in October...

A trio of limited edition Christmas feasts from Mersey Raw

Leading raw pet food company Mersey Raw has introduced a trio of limited edition new recipes, which will delight any dog and allow them to join in with their own Christmas dinner in a healthy and nutritious way...

Countrywide launches new packs and designs

Countrywide Bird Food, produced by Albert E James & Son, has launched some new eye-catching designs for its wild bird, aviary and pigeon ranges.

More news from the pet world

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New research reveals biggest risk factors for puppies

New research conducted by the Royal Veterinary College, in collaboration with Dogs Trust, has identified experiences in a puppy’s early life that put them at the greatest risk of developing separation-related behaviours (SRBs) when left home alone...

Dog saved by vet charity after suffering ‘tinsel-itis’

Leading vet charity PDSA is urging pet owners to make sure decorations are well out of paw’s reach this Christmas, after a dog ate an entire metre of tinsel...

Petplan reveal ways to keep pets safe at Christmas

Launching its annual Pet Advent Calendar, Petplan has shared some key tips on how to keep dogs safe this Christmas – from the foods to be wary of to the Christmas decorations that can pose a risk...

Aqua Project: latest trends in aquarium industry at Zoomark 2025

The aquarium industry will be in the spotlight once more in the Aqua Project area at next year's Zoomark in Bologna from 5th to 7th May 2025...

The best of last edition of Pet Trade Xtra

The top-read stories from last week's Pet Trade Xtra can be seen below, if you missed them...

Sustainable packaging is key driver for pet food purchases, claims new research

Amcor, a global leader in responsible packaging solutions, has published new research that reveals the sustainability of packaging is a key factor for European pet owners when deciding which pet food to purchase...

WHM Pet Group contributes to new rabbit feeding guide

WHM Pet Group has contributed its considerable nutrition expertise to an important new European guide on feeding pet rabbits...

New directors join OATA Board

Two new directors were welcomed to the OATA Board. Jeremy Gay of Fishkeeping News and Mark Smith of Pets at Home join the 15 other voluntary Directors...