Newsletter - Pet Trade Xtra

Happy New Year to all Pet Trade Xtra readers. After a busy 2017 we look forward to continuing to bring you all the news, views and ideas for the coming year. We wish you all a great start to 2018.

Lack of local business blamed for pet shop closure

A pet shop in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, has ceased trading, with lack of business in the local area being blamed for the closure...

The biggest UK pet news stories of 2017

It has been an amazing and eventful year for the UK pet industry with companies being bought and sold, as well as scores of exciting and innovative new products being launched. What better way to look back on 2017 than through the best-read stories of the year?

The Just for Pets chain of pet stores was sold in 2017. It made headlines in Pet Trade Xtra for a number of weeks but were any on them in our Top 20 most-read stories?

The Top 20 most-read stories revealed

Veterinary group launches illegal puppy trade guidelines

Independent Vetcare, the UK’s largest veterinary group, is to release guidelines for its 500 practices giving them advice on how to educate clients and protect themselves from the illegal puppy trade...

Praise for PATS on reaching 10th Sandown milestone

Pet companies have been congratulating PATS, the UK’s number one pet trade exhibition which will be staging its 10^th Sandown show in March. Those firms who exhibited at the first PATS Sandown in 2009 agree that over the years the show has proved to be a great platform for launching new products and services...

Owner's warning after dog ate dead fish

A grieving pet owner has warned dog walkers to be vigilant after his golden retriever died within minutes of eating a dead fish washed up on a beach...

PetQuip secures government funding for major exhibitions

The PetQuip export association has been successful in the Government’s latest Tradeshow Access Programme bidding round in securing cash grants for three major international pet product trade exhibitions in 2018-19...

CIPS International Pet Show in China opens up new export shop window.

Dog’s mouth glued shut after chewing on glossy leaflet

A Jack Russell was saved from a sticky situation by PDSA vets after munching on a glossy leaflet that glued his teeth together. Oscar, 10, had to be rushed to the charity’s Blackpool Pet Hospital for emergency treatment after he was unable to open his mouth.

Pet food firm's Christmas Jumper Day for charity

Inspired Pet Nutrition held a Christmas Jumper Day just before the festive break to raise money for Macmillan...

Owners asked to pledge lifelong commitment to pets

IAMS has launched a Pet Pledge initiative encouraging owners to give their pets a happy and healthy lifestyle...

More news items from the pet world

Revisit the 10 Most-Read Stories of 2017 - see below

‘Dragons’ Den’ firm to launch premium dog food range
No.1 Most-Read Story

The owner of UK brand Billy + Margot has been sold to an Asian consortium for one billion Australian dollars in a deal which will see the ‘Dragons’ Den’ company launch a range of premium dog food products. The range will include dry, wet, chilled and raw...

Vital Pet Products sold for £12.8m
No.2 Most-Read Story

The Subura Group completed the acquisition of Vital Pet Products from the Steuart family for the sum of £12.8m, at 2pm yesterday. The global pet market is experiencing strong growth* and the acquisition is expected to deliver efficiency throughout the supply chain, benefiting both retailers and suppliers.

Britain’s most dog-friendly pub reveale
No.3 Most-Read Story

The Fox and Hounds Theale has earned the title of Dog-friendly Pub Award 2017, in a nationwide competition organised by leading online dog-sitting platform, DogBuddy.com...

Pets at Home opens up inside Tesco Extra
No.4 Most-Read Story

Pets at Home has opened a store within a Tesco Extra in Durham, and the news has already raised concern among independent pet retailers...

Wynnstay to appoint administrators for Just for Pets
No.5 Most-Read Story

Wynnstay Group PLC said today (Thursday) it will give a notice of intention to appoint administrators for its Just for Pets Ltd subsidiary, following the pet product retailer becoming loss-making...

Frozzys takes fresh approach to shows
No.6 Most-Read Story

Frozzys aims to spread the word about its popular frozen yoghurt for dogs at consumer shows and country fairs by appointing Chris Prince as its dog show co-ordinator...

Just for Pets back in business following acquisition by Pedigree Wholesale
No.7 Most-Read Story

The future of specialist pet retailer Just for Pets has been secured following the acquisition of the business this week by newly formed company PSR Trading Limited, a sister company to established pet sector business Pedigree Wholesale. But as part of the acquisition process it was decided that seven stores could not be maintained...

PATS Sandown 2017 New Product Awards revealed
No.8 Most-Read Story

The winners of the PATS Sandown 2017 New Product Awards were chosen by a team of expert pet retail judges, who arrived at the show before 9.30am on Tuesday in order to make their choices from a record number of more than 200 new products entered...

PetQuip Awards 2017 finalists revealed
No.9 Most-Read Story

A shortlist of finalists has been announced for the prestigious PetQuip Awards, which celebrate their fifth year on the first evening of PATS Telford in September...

Find out who made the shortlist

Dog toy set to take the market by storm in 2018
No.10 Most-Read Story

One of the most talked about new products at PATS Telford this week was the PetBloon, a colourful and fun dog toy which is set to take the pet market by storm in the year ahead...