Nationwide pet retail group Jollyes is accelerating growth with the acquisition of Penparc Pet Centres. Penparc operates five stores in Cannock, Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent, West Bromwich and Telford. It takes Jollyes to 80 stores across the UK. 

Jollyes also reported annual revenue up 15% to £86 million and announced plans to recruit 100 new colleagues and open eight new stores – including Poole, Stockton-on-Tees, Warrington and Billingshurst, plus three in Scotland at Glenrothes, Robroyston and Hermiston Gait.

Pictured: Jollyes chief executive Joe Wykes (right) and regional manager Sarah Farrar outside Penparc’s Telford store.

With the support of HSBC, Jollyes has bought Penparc’s five stores in Cannock, Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent, West Bromwich and Telford which become part of the Jollyes family from today. 

The move, following the opening of a new store in Southport on Saturday, takes the number of Jollyes stores to 80.  With seven other openings planned across the UK over the coming weeks, the retailer is on track to deliver on its promise to open 20 new stores by May 2023.   

Jollyes also today released very strong trading results for the full year to 29 May 2022.  

• Turnover over the full year grew to £86m – a 15% increase. 
• Jollyes’ headcount has grown by 164 over the year - almost 25% - in stores and at its Waltham Abbey support centre as it supports its growth.   
• During the full year Jollyes also added seven new stores, organically and through the acquistion of The Pet Store in Yorkshire and Bannerbrook Pets in Coventry. 
• The investment in an extended logisitics contract with Wincanton in Wigan that introduces backhauling arrangements with eight suppliers that have led to 50,000 fewer road miles 
• Overhauled and relaunched its Lifestage private label food leading to a 70 per cent-plus increase in sales. 

Jollyes plans to build on its current trading performance with ambitious plans for FY23.  During the current full financial year, it expects to: 

• Recruit an additional 100 roles across the UK - 80 in new stores and 20 in back office functions to support its expansion. 
• Open an additional eight new stores in FY23. 
• Grow revenue so it becomes a £100m-plus turnover business by the end of its 2023 financial year cent. 
• Step-up its private label development, introducing new Lifestage artisan ranges alongside other launches. 

Jollyes expects family-run Penparc to be a highly complementary addition to its family, giving it a significant presence in the Midlands. 

Penparc started with a single shop in Cannock in 1990 and has built a strong following for its focus on customer service and quality pet foods and accessories. 

The purchase is the latest move by Kester Capital-backed Jollyes to accelerate growth and has been completed with financial support from HSBC. 

Jollyes CEO Joe Wykes said: “The dedication of the Penparc team to their pet-owning customers have made them legendary in the towns they trade. We couldn’t be prouder to bring them into the Jollyes team. 

“Whether organically or through acquisition, we remain ambitious as we seek other opportunities to grow.”  

Penparc director Richard Allen said: “We’ve got to know Jollyes well over the last few months and we’re confident that we’ve found a buyer who shares what makes us special and will be a good steward for the business, our colleagues and customers in the years to come.” 

The eight new stores opened by Jollyes in the past year included Cookstown in Northern Ireland in March, Wrexham in May, Stirling in June and Southport on 2 July.  

Planned future openings include Poole, Stockton-on-Tees, Warrington and Billingshurst in West Sussex, as well as three in Scotland at Glenrothes, Robroyston and Hermiston Gait near Edinburgh. 

That pace of growth which has seen Jollyes grow its store estate by almost 30 per cent in a little over a year, makes it one of the fastest growing physical retailers in the UK. 

On its FY22 performance, executive chairman Richard Cotter said: “While we’re delighted with the numbers, our performance is about people and a passion for pets.  Our performance is simply a consequence of us transforming our business to empower our people to provide products that meet the needs of Britain’s pet owners.   

“We’re proud that this transformation is now leading to 100 additional opportunities to join the Jollyes team in the year ahead as we double-down on our ambitious growth plans.” 

In addition to its store network, Jollyes has invested in distribution through a new contract with Wincanton in March, in its click and collect service, in extending online ranges and in staff training to increase the number of colleagues qualified to dispense certain veterinary medicines. 

It has also forged closer links with key suppliers to refresh and extend popular ranges such as its exclusive Lifestage dry and wet dog food.  It has also recently rolled out freezers to 15 stores as customers look to take advantage of the money-saving power of frozen pet food.

Pet treat start-up company PARK LiFE has walked off with a major New Product Award at the three-day Glee trade exhibition at the NEC Birmingham.

The Ireland-based company manufactures and distributes a range of wholesome, grain-free and 100% naturalbiscuits for dogs which are full of tasty human grade and gut -friendly ingredients. 

These come in three varieties – Fris-Bix, Love-Bix and Chill-Bix – and it was the Fit-Bix version that was judged to be the Best New Pet Product at Glee.

After Fris-Bix was shortlisted for the award, founder of PARK LiFE Richard Marles was tasked with pitching the product to the judging panel where he managed to beat off the challenges of two other shortlisted products – Scruffs’ Classic Long Eared Dog Bowl and the Zoon Treat & Seek Farm Friends from Smart Garden Products Limited.

Richard said after receiving the award: "I'm buzzing. It's a great achievement. I really enjoyed the process of pitching the product to the judges."

The Fris-Bix biscuits are made from a few simple ingredients, sunflower Seeds, peas, potatoes, coconut oil and apple juice with added herbs, berries and super seeds depending on the variety. They are cut into fun bite-sized shapes to keep any pooch happy and satisfied.

In the Wild Bird Care and Wildlife Products category the winner was Bermuda with My First Pond Kit.

Also at Glee, the pet team from the Old Railway Line at Three Cocks near Brecon in Wales won a major buying award.

The garden centre won the Pet Buying Team of the Year award in the Glee Buyers Power List competition.

The Glee Buyers Power List was set up to recognise the individual buyers and buying teams who have gone above and beyond to make a difference within the garden retail industry this year.

Second place went to Paul Williams of British Garden Centres and third to Polhill Garden Centre.

The awards were presented on the first day of Glee.

Fun, family spirit and amazing teamwork has given Pets at Home, Rochdale, a win in the UK’s biggest nationwide competition celebrating frontline retail teams: Proud of My Store.

Store manager Nathan Reynolds and his team (pictured) caught the eye of the competition’s prestigious judging panel with their dynamic can-do attitude, enthusiasm and the enormous pride they have in being part of their store and community – alongside an ambition to provide world class customer service from the heart of Rochdale.

Assistant store manager Jo Irlamsaid: "There is so much to be proud of in this store but first and foremost, everything we achieve here is done as a team. Where some people might see a particular day or weekend as challenging, we see an opportunity for laughter, incentives and above all else, amazing customer service. 

‘We view ourselves as a family, and that means we all pull together and live and breathe our company values, with a genuine ambition to be the best pet care centre in the world, thanks to our amazing vet, experienced Groom Room team and pet care colleagues.  We really are here for our community and all their pet care needs.

"Nothing is too much trouble when it comes to our customers – both the humans and our regular pet customers who are treated like royalty! And we go over and above for them. A good example is our free kids’ workshops at the weekends to help youngsters become responsible pet owners, and the work we do to raise money for our charity partner Pennine Pen animal rescue with fundraising weekends, donations and supporting them with information on our community board in store.’

With over 250 stores entering this year’s competition and counting, Pets at Home Rochdale’s achievement was rewarded with a £500 charity donation and another £500 to spend on the team – both of which the store team chose to donate to Pennine Pen.

Nerys Lyne, Regional Operations Director at Pets at Home, said: “Nathan, Jo and the whole Rochdale team are truly a credit to the Pets at Home Group. They lead by example, always putting their customers and clients first and going above and beyond for the many pets who visit the store every day. I can’t think of a more deserving team and know they will remain just as committed to delivering the very best service for a long time to come. A huge congratulations to them all.”

Proud of My Store was founded in 2021 to recognise the invaluable role local store staff play in retail, and to shine a spotlight on the service and value they bring to communities. The Proud of My Store 2022 online hub opened April taking entries from supermarket branches, boutiques, banks, pharmacies, salons, restaurants and more, inviting them to tell their local store’s story - whether it’s a big idea or a small but powerful act of kindness.

Organised by customer interaction management specialists Critizr, monthly winners are being selected, with one overall team set to be crowned ‘Proudest Store 2022’ in July by a panel of retail experts.

PATS Telford is the place for pet retailers to see a host of new and international exhibitors as well as the industry’s big-name brands, all of which will be showcasing their launches over two action-packed days on 25-26 September 2022.

The UK pet industry has seen an impressive number of companies entering the market over the past few years and many of these new businesses have chosen the PATS trade shows as their launch pad.

Organiser Gordon Thomas said: “It’s great to see so many companies exhibiting at PATS Telford for the first time. The fact the show has attracted so many new exhibitors is a clear indication it is an important place to launch products. Companies have been telling me they have lots of products to showcase, so visitors can be certain there will be plenty of things to see and do.”

Exhibitors new to PATS Telford include: Accidents Happen, Durham Animal Feeds, Kikkerland Europe, Marnoch Pet Supplies, Milk & Pepper, Mr Slobberchops, Non-stop dogwear, Pippas Paws, Pup Pup Foods and Smoofl.

PATS Telford in September is the best place for pet retailers and garden centres to see the whole pet industry and all the latest products under one roof, with more than 200 companies and brands having already booked their stand space.

A full list of the exhibitors can be found at www.patshow.co.uk where visitors can register for free entry to the show.

As the excitement builds, a selection of PATS Telford newcomers share their thoughts on why they’ve chosen to exhibit at the UK’s National Pet Industry Event.

Marnock Pet Supplies is a new distribution company launching on 18th July with the aim of bringing new products and companies to the UK. The company’s Josh Kane said: “Exhibiting at PATS Telford seemed like a phenomenal opportunity in which to showcase our new brands and to give future customers the chance to touch, feel and talk to us in person.”

It’s a similar story for Pippas Paws, whose Natasha Dykes said: “We are a fairly new business and our products are in a few shops but we would love to see them in more retail outlets across the UK. We hope PATS Telford will give us the platform to connect with many more retailers.”

Dirty Little Paws will be showcasing its unique doughnut-designed recovery collars at PATS Telford. “We want to grow our business through supplying independent pet shops and a friend suggested I take a stand at the exhibition where there will be a captive audience of eager buyers from the pet trade industry,” said Kevan Marshall, of Dirty Little Paws.

Mr Slobberchops launched in January and the company’s natural flea and tick products are now being sold widely throughout the UK in groomers, pet food stores and vet practices.  

Rachel Loader commented: “Exhibiting at PATS is a chance for us to show off our brand to a wider audience, whilst launching our new and exciting product range 'Rollerdog' pocket-sized solutions for dogs on the go.”

PATS Telford is also attracting international companies like Belgium company Smoofl. Managing partner David Molenberghs explained: “I visited the exhibition last September and was pleasantly surprised by the nice atmosphere of the show. I liked the fact that all stands were cosier and more accessible than most of the international fairs I’ve visited in the past. The UK is a huge and very interesting market for Smoofl so I have great expectations for the show.”

Milk & Pepper is a French company supplying an exclusive range of clothes and accessories for dogs and cats. “The brand is well established in France and has started to develop its export activities in recent years,” said Maxime Courant. “Milk & Pepper is really suitable for UK’s market, and we’re keen to showcase our products at PATS Telford.”

Irish company Pup Pup Foods is one of the world's first functional, insect-based dog food brands, and managing director Hayden Smith revealed: “We are excited to be exhibiting at PATS Telford and look forward to speaking with wholesalers, retailers and buyers, and to promoting our exciting new products at such a well-established event.”

Non-stop dogwear is a Scandinavian brand that has developed gear for active dogs and owners for over a decade. “Our presence is growing throughout Europe, and we feel it's time to market here in the UK and share our passion for an active lifestyle with dogs. PATS Telford provides the perfect platform to help us achieve our goals,” said Jason Pascoe, sales representative B2B UK.

PATS Telford will also again play host to popular visitor attractions like The New Product Showcase, sponsored by pbwnews, and demonstrations and workshops from top dog groomers.

Parking is free at the Telford International Centre, and everyone will receive free tea and coffee, and a free show catalogue.

For the latest information on the show visit www.patshow.co.uk

A groundbreaking pet retailer is focused on building even stronger relations with sustainable start-ups and innovative independent businesses.

PetPlace owners Sion Pritchard and Paul Penketh are targeting more bespoke suppliers and products designed to improve the health and wellbeing of animals, and fledgling firms looking to support the pet trade now and in the future.

The company, which is based in Kinmel Bay and has stores in Abergele, Ruthin, Mold, Llangefni and Chirk, already stocks many environmentally friendly items on its shelves but Sion says they plan to take things further in the months ahead.

“We are opening the doors to smaller, independent suppliers who specialise in the health and wellbeing of animals and want to be part of the pet industry,” he said.

“A lot of retail chains stock pet goods but without the emphasis on sustainability, the environment and creating innovative products that will make a difference to the pets, their owners and ultimately, the planet.

“We want to hear from the innovators, anyone with an idea that’s in motion or a start-up with an exciting new product that could cause a stir in the sector.

Sion added: “At PetPlace we are very different from the norm, we want to support the pet trade specifically and move forward together, away from the mass-market consumer approach to a more dedicated, proactive and tailored offering, ensuring our team members have as much knowledge as possible to share with our customers.”

Among the sustainable firms already working with Sion and the team is Adios Plastic, a Kent-based husband and wife partnership who launched their plastic-free biodegradable poo bag business in 2018.

Twenty million sales later, Ben and Sadie Dodd are aiming to continue the compostable theme with pet wipes manufactured in the UK that naturally break down into the environment and serve as food to be consumed by microorganisms.

Ben said: “When we started there were a lot of poo bags on the market and the vast majority were plastic, which can take hundreds of years to break down.

“We wanted to do something different and after a lot of research began producing bags made from Cornstarch. From that we developed a range of colours – including our popular rainbow packs – that stood out from the standard options available, and it took off from there.”

He added: “We began supplying PetPlace during the pandemic and love everything they stand for; they are a model customer and have really got behind our brand.

“We grew 600% during first year of lockdown and another 200% in the last year, passing the 20 million sales mark in the UK alone, which as well as being great for us as a company has had a big impact on the environment.

“People are switching from plastic and it’s having a knock-on effect, this is where the industry is going which is great to see and so important.”

Another to work closely with PetPlace over the last year is Gillian Thomas-Jones, owner of Mountain Garden Botanics, based in New Brighton, Wrexham.

Having already created handmade shampoo and soaps for pets and humans – all palm oil, cruelty and plastic-free – she is using raw ingredients to create unique lines including an anti-pecking spray for chickens, and a calming mist for dogs and horses.

“It has been a steep learning curve, working long hours to develop the branding, a website, coming up with new ideas and doing all of that while ensuring this is a completely natural series of products with natural packaging,” said Gillian.

“With the support of customers like PetPlace, who are a breath of fresh air, we can work together to manufacture and supply products dedicated to the health and happiness of animals and their owners, which will always be our number one priority.”

Visit www.mountaingardenbotanics.co.uk for more on Mountain Garden Botanics, and www.adiosplastic.co.uk for the latest news and information from Adios Plastic.

For more information on PetPlace, including the PetPlace Plus+ loyalty app, follow @petplaceUK on Facebook and Instagram or email buying@farmandpetplace.co.uk.

Leading healthy pet food company Burns Pet Nutrition has topped the latest Which? Consumers’ Association poll for best loved dog food as voted by Which? Users for the second year running. 

Last year, Burns came joint top of 24 dog food brands, but have gone one better this year as the clear winner out of 30 dog food brands.  

Not only have pet owners deemed Burns their favourite dog food but Burns also works out as the cheapest to feed and one of the top options for dog owners whose pets had a sensitive stomach. 

The survey highlights 

“Which? Members’ favourite dog food brands from best to worst (ranked by overall customer score). We also ask them to rate value for money, quality ingredients and their dog’s reaction to the food.” 

Burns offers natural nutrition for pets that won’t break the bank. Its high value, healthy dog food is hypoallergenic, wholesome, and made using a single protein source, making it suitable for adult and senior dogs of any breed. 

Founded and developed by veterinary surgeon John Burns in 1993, Burns Pet Nutrition launched an all-natural, hypoallergenic pet food that focusses on using a handful of simple and wholesome ingredients without the use of cheap fillers, nasty chemicals or mystery meats.  

Since then, Burns has expanded its offering to include a variety of award-winning diets designed to suit all ages, breeds and individual needs, with ingredients that can be clearly identified and traced back to the source.  

Alongside Burns’ belief that all dogs, cats and small furry family members deserve only the best nutrition to live a long and healthy life, it also supports a range of community initiatives and charities.  

The cost of living crisis is the most urgent threat to pet welfare, according to a new Animal Kindness Index compiled by the RSPCA reveals.

The report, based on a YouGov survey of more than 4,000 UK adults, found that animal welfare is one of the top most important social issues people were asked about, that over two-thirds (69%) of the public describe themselves as ‘animal-lovers’, and that 75% of people said they’d carried out an act of kindness for animals in the past 12 months. 

However, the report also revealed that the rising cost of living and the cost of pet ownership could threaten our love for our pets, with 78% of pet owners saying they think the cost of living will impact their animals, almost seven out of 10 (68%) expressing concern that the cost of care was increasing, and a fifth (19%) worried about how they’ll afford to feed their pets. The study showed cat owners seem to be most impacted and concerned about cost of living pressures.

Emma Slawinski, director of advocacy and policy at the RSPCA, said: “It’s great that our research has confirmed we are a nation of animal lovers, however we cannot ignore the stark suggestion that the cost of living crisis is the biggest single threat to pets in the UK today.

“We are on the brink of an animal welfare crisis due to the rise in pet ownership during the pandemic, coupled with the cost of living pressures biting - especially those on lower incomes. It’s absolutely heartbreaking.

“We’re starting to see the knock-on effects of this as we, and other charities, predicted. Tragically we’re starting to see an increase in the abandonment of pets and growing numbers of cats and rabbits being rescued and coming into our care.

“It’s worrying to see that 33% of pet owners have experienced issues they did not expect with their pets and, sadly, we are now seeing an increase in pets coming into our care, many because owners are struggling to afford to pay for behavioural support, vet care or even to feed their pets.

“The RSPCA and the Scottish SPCA prioritise animals most in need of neglect and cruelty and would urge any pet owners struggling to seek help to address problems at the earliest opportunity so that problems do not spiral out of control.”

The real impact on our pets

The RSPCA and the Scottish SPCA are sadly seeing an increase in rescued animals coming into their care, with many rehoming centres already full and others close to capacity:

• The RSPCA is seeing a year-on-year rise in some pets coming into its care - in the first five months of 2022, the charity took in 49% more rabbits, 14% more cats and 3% more dogs than the same period in 2021;
• The Scottish SPCA has seen a 12% increase in the number of rabbits coming into its care and a 15% increase in the number of dogs being taken in;
• RSPCA research shows that, in April 2021, there were around 4,400 searches per month online around ‘giving up pets’ and, in April 2022, this rose by 50% to a high of 6,600;
• The RSPCA received 3,644 calls last year (2021) categorised as ‘help with vet bills’ - a growth of 12% year-on-year; 
• In the first quarter of 20220, the RSPCA experienced a 9% increase in calls to its emergency hotline;
• This all comes at a time when rehoming has slowed: the RSPCA rehomed an average of 753 animals per week in 2019, 565 in 2020 and 518 in 2021 meaning that spaces aren’t being freed up as quickly and animals are staying in care for longer;
• The RSPCA currently has a waiting list for all species of animals in private boarding establishments who are waiting for space in an RSPCA rehoming centre so they can begin their rehabilitation and search for a new home, while the SSPCA is close to capacity at its nine rescue centres across Scotland.

Gilly Mendes Ferreira, head of innovation and strategic relations at the Scottish SPCA, said: “The research carried out by the RSPCA as part of their Animal Kindness Index is vital for us to understand key animal welfare trends and the Scottish SPCA is proud to have played a part in development of this index.

“We have been lucky so far that we have not seen much of an impact on our services from the cost of living crisis but we are under no illusions. We know Scotland is a nation of animal lovers and people will do their best to keep their animals with them, even in the toughest of times. However, we fully expect to see a rise in pet owners who are unable to care for their animals or afford veterinary bills in the coming months due to rising costs.

“We have seen an increase in rabbits coming into our care and being abandoned. We are concerned that this may have been a knock-on effect from lockdown where people have taken on what they believed to be an ‘easy’ pet compared to a dog or cat and are now struggling with the reality of caring for quite a complex animal.

“A key part of our 10-year strategy is to reduce unintentional cruelty by 50% by 2032. We can only do this by working with partners like the RSPCA to understand the issues impacting pet owners across Scotland and finding ways to support them.”

A packed series of events have been lined up to celebrate the opening of the new Jollyes pet store in Southport. 

They include the search to find Southport’s cutest pet and the planned arrival of Jollyes’ specially designed “stroke squad” vehicle where visitors will be able to meet and stroke local friendly dogs.  

Taking pride of place at the stroke van will be Dennis, the two-legged local celebrity mini dachshund, helping the store open at Unit 3 on the town’s Kew Retail Park in Scarisbrick New Road, at 10am on Saturday 2 July. 

Excitement is building ahead of the opening of the 6,000 square feet store which will employ 10 colleagues. 

To celebrate, three Southport organisations are jointly searching to find Southport’s cutest pet, whether it’s a dog, cat, guinea pig, rabbit, parrot, fish or any other pet. 

The competition has been launched by Sandgrounder Radio, Stand Up For Southport and the Southport Dog Friendly Facebook Group. Five lucky winners will each get a £50 Jollyes voucher.  

Entering is simple – owners just have to post a picture of their pet on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages of one of the groups and tag in Jollyes.  

Stand Up For Southport founder Andrew Brown said: “We’re delighted to be able to team up with Jollyes to offer £50 vouchers to five lucky winners through this great competition, working closely with Sandgrounder Radio and Southport Dog Friendly.” 

Jollyes has lined up a fun-packed opening for the new store to give Southport’s pet lovers a warm welcome from the UK’s “Pet People” including:  

• The official opening will be performed by the Mayor of Sefton, Councillor Clare Louise Carragher 
• Jollyes’ “stroke van” will be there so visitors can meet and stroke dogs – an idea inspired by research during the pandemic which showed pets make a positive contribution to owners’ physical and mental well being 
• Sandgrounder Radio will be on site on the morning 
• Local two-legged celebrity canine Dennis the mini dachshund 
• Entertainment will include a magician, stilt walker and balloon artist 
• Visitors will have the chance to win instant prizes on the wheel of fur-tune 
• Jollyes will be offering free sample testing, with goody bags for the first 100 visitors 
• Barklays, the local dog-friendly café will be offering free puppachinos 

Jollyes also announced more details of the ranges available at the new store, including dog and cat food, toys and accessories, food, treats and accessories for small pets, birds and fish. 

It will include Jollyes’ exclusive Lifestage dog food range, including dry food, trays and cans. The store will also offer the premium Lifestage Artisan dry food, made by a local pet food manufacturer, including new flavours Scottish salmon with dill and spinach, and haddock with peas and parsley – all traceable back to dedicated farms. 

Sarah Farrar, Jollyes regional manager, said: “It’s great to see such a buzz around the opening of the new Southport store and we’ve got a fantastic line up of events to make the opening day something special. 

“Our colleagues have worked hard to make sure the store shows off our fantastic ranges at their best so that pet owners in the area can pick up what they need.” 

Jollyes has more than 70 stores across the UK and the 6,000 square feet Southport store will complement its popular outlets in North West including Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, Eccles, Ellesmere Port and Runcorn. 

Recent openings include Stirling, Wrexham and Cookstown. New stores are due to open this summer at Stockton, Poole, Glenrothes and Edinburgh. 

Pictured: Southport’s legendary two-legged mini dachshund Dennis and Jollyes’ “Fur-th” Emergency ‘Stroke Squad Vehicle’. (Dennis credit: Rob Ryan, RSA photography) 

Pedigree Wholesale has announced the appointment of Chris Kirton into its new role, Head of Customer.

Chris brings a variety of experience across many companies, including Coca-Cola, Hardy’s Wines, Princes Foods, and AG Barr. Starting his career in licensed Wholesale, he moved into FMCG, working for branded manufacturers across multiple categories such as food, drink, and personal care. He also spent two years in white goods, focusing on both national and independent retailers. 

The main priorities of the Head of Customer are to drive both sales and customer agenda. Chris said: “For Pedigree Wholesale to be successful, we must be the UK’s Wholesaler of Choice for Specialist Pet stores. However, this must be earned, and to this end, we must help our customers be successful. We can achieve that through consistently delivering for our customers both commercially and operationally. We must work hard to exceed our customers’ expectations and excel in our role as Trusted Advisors.”

After being in his role for six weeks, Chris added: “I can honestly say that I have been impressed by the passion I’ve seen for the Pet Industry both at Pedigree Wholesale and from the suppliers and customers I’ve met so far. As someone new to Pet, Interzoo was pretty mind-blowing but an amazing opportunity to network and see the sheer scale and innovation. I look forward to spending more time with the team and getting out and out about, meeting more of our customers.”

Gerard O’Mahony, Managing Director, Pedigree Wholesale, said: “Our customers are at the heart of our business, and improving and finding better ways to serve them is a key focus for us in 2022 and beyond. We appointed the new role to do exactly that. Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will prove vital in ensuring we fulfil our Wholesaler of Choice commitment to our customers. We wish him all the success in his new role.”

North Wales pet retailer and recently launched fitness company LVL5 Gyms are new kit sponsors for Kinmel Bay FC, which has more than 100 players across its junior, men’s and ladies’ sides. 

And the three organisations will be holding events and fundraising activities throughout the season for Ty Gobaith and Hope House Hospices, including a sports and memorabilia auction next summer. 

Sion Pritchard, owner of Snowdon Holdings group – which includes PetPlace and LVL5 Gyms Ltd – says the partnership will be focused on Kinmel Bay FC’s work in the community and supporting the players health and wellbeing journey as they aim for promotion from the North Wales Coast East Football League.

Rich Blake, a director of LVL5, personal trainer and Workplace Resilience and Wellbeing Master Practitioner (WRAW MP), will also be on hand to deliver advice and guidance on exercise, nutrition and healthy living.

“We opened our Kinmel Bay headquarters just over a year ago and already feel a strong connection to the people and businesses here,” said Sion.

“The work the club has done in this area is amazing, for children and adults of all ages, so we want to help them at grassroots level with their continued growth on and off the pitch.

“Through LVL5 we will also be able to assist with data monitoring and analysis, which I’m sure will all play a part in enhancing the players’ performances in training and on match days.

“And together we will continue to support Hope House Hospices through fundraising and events.”

Leon Field, Joint Manager of Kinmel Bay FC, added: “We thank PetPlace and LVL5 for their support and are excited about this new partnership.

“The kit looks fantastic and will certainly turn a few heads this season.

“We are also delighted to be championing Hope House and will do all we can to support what is an incredible local cause.”

The new strip was unveiled at PetPlace’s headquarters on Tir Llwyd Enterprise Park, where players and coaching staff were joined by Bev Bradley, Corporate Area Fundraiser for the charity.

She said: “We are so grateful and would like to thank Sion, Leon and everyone involved with both organisations for this commitment.

“As a Silver Business Champion, PetPlace has done so much for the hospice, and we are sure with the football club on board as well we can do even more to continue providing first-class, vital respite care for children across the region.”

Norfolk Industries for Disabled People is launching an innovative new product to coincide with Pet Remembrance Day on July 5.

Designed in house, ‘Furry Friends Farewell’ is an eco-burial pack for mice, hamsters, rats and gerbils that’s been created to help children cope with the loss of their special pet. 

Because humans become so attached to their pets, we find it very difficult when they die. Our pets have a big place in our hearts and losing them can be very upsetting, particularly for children who may be experiencing grief for the first time. 

Furry Friends Farewell provides a safe, personal and sensitive way to bury your beloved pet. Supplied in a printed bag, each kit contains everything needed to say a special goodbye, including a biodegradable burial tube, grave marker and service sheet. There’s also a pack of coloured pencils so little ones can personalise the burial tube, and wildflower seeds to create a memorial at the burial site.

For parents, we’ve put together an information leaflet giving help and advice about the best ways to support a child coping with the loss of their pet. 

Furry Friends Farewell is the latest addition to the Norfolk Industries range of small pet products and sits alongside our planet-friendly pet bedding lines, and award-winning Nibble & Nest and Animal Houses.

The product is available now and can be bought by calling us directly and soon through our website which is currently being redeveloped.

We are proud to be a disability employer and are continually looking to expand our product range. Each new product we launch generates further work opportunities in our factory and allows us to help more disadvantaged people, whether through direct employment or provision of work placements. 

Norfolk Industries factory manager, Sharon Tooke, said: "This is a really lovely product, totally designed to not only provide work for disadvantaged people but also to support parents with children who may be suffering their first experience with grief.  Completely biodegradable we are also thinking of the planet, what’s not to like!

"Furry Friends Farewell has been a long time in development due to the pandemic, but I am so excited to finally see this unique product officially launched."

Friday was Take Your Dog To Work Day, and a brand new qualification has been launched to help keep our dogs safe if they come to work with us.

In an office environment there of course has to be a health and safety policy for humans, but with more dogs than ever joining us on the daily commute a new course has been devised to instill best practice for firms.

The iPET Network Level 2 in Creating a Dog Friendly Workplace qualification is designed for offices and businesses that regularly welcome pets.

The qualification will be regulated by Ofqual, the qualification offers the skills that a workplace needs to keep pets well looked after, but also vital strategies for keeping workers safe in a canine-friendly working environment too.

Modules on the course, which leaves learners with a recognised qualification include understanding relevant legislation, risk management, policy making and studying in detail the benefits and challenges of taking dogs to work.

A University of Lincoln study found that employees who often took their dog to work reported 22% higher satisfaction with working conditions.

Employees who took their dog to work also reported increased absorption in their work by a significant 33.4% and in their dedication to work by 16.5% – an overall increase in work engagement of 14.4%.

Nationally during the pandemic 3.2million households brought home a pet of some kind.

From 2020 to 2021 there was a boost in dog numbers from 9million to 12million, at a time when many office workers were doing their work from home.

But now that people are going back into work, there is greater demand from employees for firms to accommodate furry friends too.  

Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty, Directors of the iPET Network, said: "There are more dogs in this country than ever before, and during the pandemic many people experienced becoming a dog owner for the first time.

"Now that people are back in the office, they want to bring along pets, and this is beneficial not only for the workplace, but for the pets too.

"However, we have seen that there is a real need to get this right, and create structures and policies which make our dog friendly workplaces a happy and healthy environment for everyone concerned.

"We hope that our course addresses this need, and look forward to welcoming existing and future dog friendly offices to our sessions." 

To find out more go to www.ipetnetwork.co.uk

Just in time for summer, Britain's leading dog-friendly travel company PetsPyjamas has launched dog-friendly Boating Holidays and Road Trips.

PetsPyjamas’ new Boating Holidays are available for trips on self-drive river cruisers and canal boats, complete with all the mod cons of home, giving dogs the thrill of something new to see and sniff each day. Starting at various locations around the country such as Wiltshire, Surrey and Scotland, as well as France, every trip starts with full tuition and suggested routes for smooth-sailing.

Meanwhile the PetsPyjamas Road Trips are designed to take the leg work out of planning a multi-stop getaway, with tailormade getaways individually curated by PetsPyjamas’ expert Pet Concierges. Free from the strict schedule of many organised trips and with a warm four-legged welcome guaranteed at every stop, the new Road Trips provide the route and guidance on dog-friendly must-sees and do’s, along with accommodation. From John o’ Groats to Land’s End and beyond, there are nine Road Trip experiences to choose from such including the ‘Lake District Three Lakes Tour’ – all of which are bookable for two-nights or more.

PetsPyjamas Managing Director James Williams says: “PetsPyjamas has been at the forefront of dog-friendly travel since 2014, offering truly welcoming stays at over 18,000 hotels, cottages, country houses and B&Bs around the UK and overseas. With the introduction of our new Boating Holidays and Road Trips, two and four-legged wanderlusts are now able to enjoy a different kind of adventure, safe in the knowledge that the furry member of the household will be welcomed whether travelling by boat or arriving by car!”

PetsPyjamas offers exceptional and exclusive dog-friendly holiday packages where dogs stay free with almost all bookings. With just one booking, customers become members of PetsPyjamas’ Priority Paws loyalty programme, with benefits to the value of over £1,200 including access to their own VIP pet concierge, complimentary 24/7 vet line access for the duration of their trip, special discounts and exclusive deals. To discover the best in dog-friendly holidays, visit PetsPyjamas.com.

PetsPyjamas Boating Holidays are priced from £150 p/n, with Road Trips starting at £1,325 for a seven-night stay. Discover more at PetsPyjamas.com.

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The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has responded to announcement that business leaders are being asked to 'help to tackle' the cost of living by cutting prices.

In the government run campaign which is believed to start running next month, businesses will be encouraged to join the campaign by introducing price-cutting measures.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, expressed concern about the campaign which he said would harm independent retailers further.

Mr Goodacre said: "Asking retailers to reduce prices is a flawed idea from an independent retailer perspective. The business tsar David Buttress believes that retailers can cut prices by reducing spend on marketing spend – a policy clearly aimed at the large retail chains because small indie retailers do not have large marketing spends to start with.

"Such a policy is likely therefore to disadvantage the thousands of smaller retailers who struggle to compete on price in normal times.

"This policy also assumes that retailers are adding on all the increases they are experiencing, which is simply not true. Supply chain inflation has been ahead of consumer inflation for some time, and as a result independent retailers have been operating on reduced margins by suppressing the retail prices.

"Add in the huge increases on energy, wages and business rates, and it becomes clear that the idea of further reducing the profit margin is unrealistic.

"We believe that government intervention is needed to reduce prices and stimulate demand, and the best way is to reduce Vat (as they did for hospitality during Covid). With inflation at 10%, VAT income has been increasing or the government, giving them the opportunity to support businesses and stimulate consumer expenditure."

Our four-legged friends are known for being great companions but they can also improve our social lives. Recent studies show that pets help us create strong, long-lasting friendships with one another that can result in a range of health and wellbeing benefits.

Robin Hargreaves, Vet Panel Lead at Agria Pet Insurance, comments: “Dog walkers are the pet owners who most obviously routinely get to experience this wonderful social side of dog ownership. Whether it’s rambling through the park or strolling through the local neighbourhood, dog walking gives people the opportunity to meet one another and, in some cases, form friendships that otherwise wouldn’t occur if it wasn’t for their dogs.”

Research suggests that being a pet parent is the third most common way we humans meet new people. In fact, pet owners are 60 per cent more likely than non-pet owners to form new neighbourhood friendships1.

Robin continues: “It’s undeniable that pets provide owners with an exciting social life full of wagging tails and new friends. But this is not the only benefit our furry friends can offer. Pets enable us to significantly improve our mental health and reduce feelings of loneliness thanks to the increased number of social interactions that come hand-in-hand with pet ownership.

“The pandemic caused significant loneliness and has highlighted the importance of maintaining strong communities, as those that felt the most lonely prior to Covid-19, now experience even higher levels of loneliness2. With this in mind, a simple ‘hello!’ when walking your dog can go a long way and might even spark a new friendship.”

Robin Hargreaves has shared five ‘pawsome’ tips for making new friends while out and about with your dog:

• Ensure your dog is well-trained to help ensure friendly encounters with other pups
• Walk your dog at the same time each day and/or in the same place to see familiar, friendly faces
• Offer a simple ‘hello’ or a wave when passing other owners. Asking about a dog’s breed is an easy conversation starter
• Carry some healthy treats with you to share with other four-legged friends - but always remember to ask the owner’s permission!
• Join a dog-walking group to meet like-minded owners

Agria Pet Insurance is a firm believer in creating and maintaining relationships through pet ownership. The annual Agria Dog Walk, which took place at Waddesdon Manor last month, is a fantastic example of a community event at where dog owners can meet-up, exchange stories and form new friendships; all while raising funds to support animal charities across the UK.

After a pandemic pause, the Agria Dog Walk returned on 21st May. It saw dogs and their families from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, as well the UK, walking simultaneously and raising over £37,000 for animal charities across Europe. Here in the UK, Brits raised over £10,000 for Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

Leading veterinary care provider IVC Evidensia has appointed Lucie Goodwin as its National Medicine Lead for the UK. 

Lucie is an experienced referral clinician who will bring a wealth of experience to the business as a previous Director of Education for BSAVA. She is currently working clinically at Vale Vets & Referrals.

The introduction of this role complements the recent appointments of our national specialist leads in Cardiology, ECC and Surgery, respectively Stephen Collins, Daniel Lewis, John Williams and our Referral Nursing Strategy Lead, Arlene Connor.

In addition, alongside this strengthening of our referral leadership team, we intend to establish a Referral Board. As with our other boards, this will have clinician and nurse representation from across the full spectrum of our referral sites (specialist and AP led). 

John Dinsdale, Country Medical Director, shared the following: “The establishment of this board will give a voice in shaping our strategy to those working day in day out across our hospitals bringing together colleagues from across our entire referral network and building relationships across the whole of our business.  

“As Country Medical Director, the addition of this board to sit alongside our small animal, farm, equine and nursing boards, gives me complete confidence that we have the structure across all our areas of clinical service to develop and importantly deliver, the overall UK clinical strategy.”

Introducing the GiGwi Puppy range! Following the successful launch of their GiGwi Dog toy range last year and their Cat toy range earlier this year, Pedigree Wholesale is now stocking a range specifically aimed at puppies.

GiGwi is a unique pet toy brand whose mission is to reinvent playtime so pets and owners can make unforgettable moments together. The Puppy range features 6 products across 2 collections, all available to the specialist pet trade via Pedigree Wholesale. 

GiGwi Puppy toys are high-quality and contain strong Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR), making their products strong enough to stand up to tiny, sharp teeth! The range features a variety of plush toys and tougher squeaky toys, all designed with teething puppies in mind - the toys retail from £5.49 to £8.49.

A true teething essential, the collection includes the Suppa Puppa Rabbit and Monkey, made from a combination of TPR and plush, making them a great toy for puppies to fetch and chew. Their plush ears and feet are perfect for playing tug; plus, they squeak! Then, the Suppa Puppa Bear is made with a ridged texture, making the strong rubber toy excellent for cleaning and massaging teeth whilst a puppy is playing.

Another staple toy in the range is the Plush Friendz Lion, which also comes in an Elephant design; these soft and cuddly plush toys retain a puppy's scent, helping to form an attachment with them. 

These toys feature a TPR ring, made from high-quality, non-toxic materials, perfect for puppies to chew on. Once playtime is over, puppies will love cuddling up with their new friends.

Nationwide pet retailer Jollyes has named the manager for its new Southport store as it prepares for the official opening with a fun-packed line up of events. 

The new Southport store, at Unit 3 on the town’s Kew Retail Park in Scarisbrick New Road, will open at 10am on Saturday 2 July. 

It will employ 10 colleagues, including store manager Martin Pitt, who joins from Aldi. With three children in his family, he has hands-on experience with pets including fish, guinea pigs and birds and is “dog parent” to Leo, a Belgian malinois. 

As part of its opening plans, Jollyes has begun recruiting for colleagues at the new store. Applications for those who want a dream job working with animals can be made at https://www.jollyes.co.uk/i/jobs-jollyes. 

Jollyes has lined up a fun-packed opening for the new store to give Southport’s pet lovers a warm welcome from the UK’s “Pet People” including:  

• The official opening will be performed by the Mayor of Sefton, Councillor Clare Louise Carragher 
• Sandgrounder Radio will bring their fun bus to broadcast live on the day 
• Local two-legged celebrity canine Dennis the dachshund 
• Entertainment will include a magician, stilt walker and balloon artist 
• Visitors will have the chance to win instant prizes on the wheel of fur-tune 

Jollyes has more than 70 stores across the UK and the 6,000 square feet Southport store will complement its popular outlets in North West including Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, Eccles, Ellesmere Port and Runcorn. 

It follows recent openings in Stirling, Wrexham and Cookstown. New stores are due to open this summer at Stockton, Poole, Glenrothes and Edinburgh. 

Sarah Farrar, Jollyes regional manager, said: “It’s an exciting time for Jollyes as we expand across the UK and we can’t wait to open our doors in Southport, taking our place in the community and playing our part in the local economy. 

“The new store is in a great location, and we’ve designed it to make it as easy as possible for pet lovers in the town and surrounding area to find what they are looking for, from toys to treats.” 

More news on the Southport store, including product ranges, will be announced in the next few weeks. 

Backed by Kester Capital, Jollyes announced in January it had a pipeline of 20 new store openings over the next year.

An aquatic shop launched during the first pandemic lockdown in 2020 has moved to larger premises after a successful couple of years.

Mother and daughter team Michelle and Jordan Warner have transferred their Fishtopia store from the Staffordshire market town of Eccleshall to nearby Stone.

And the larger store celebrated its move to a larger outlet on Friday (June 17). 

Michelle told A Little Bit of Stone website: “Our last store was a big success, but we quickly ran out of room for our expanding range and ideas.”

The mother and daughter looked for properties in Stone where Michelle had spent half of her life and soon found a new location in Radford Street.

The full story on Fishtopia's move can be viewed by clicking here.

Picture taken from the store's Facebook page.

Following the biggest range expansion in 2021, Soopa continues to grow its portfolio in 2022 by adding a new Senior and Jumbo range.

After launching a Puppy selection of scrumptious snacks last year, Soopa wanted to create a suitable product solely for senior dogs. Senior dental sticks and healthy bites are delicious treats for all kinds of older pups who need some extra TLC in their life.

Made with 100% natural banana and pumpkin and flaxseed, these low-fat and easily digestible sticks are kind on tummies and tasty on tongues making them a superb snack for in-between brush times. RRP at £3.99 for 4 dental sticks and £2.99 for 50g healthy bites.

At Soopa they listened to their customers asking for big sized treats. They have created Jumbo dental sticks for larger breeds in the 3 most popular flavours- Carrot & Pumpkin, Cranberry & Sweet Potato and Banana & Peanut Butter. Soopa Jumbo Sticks will keep those tails wagging for longer and help to keep furry friends happy & healthy! RRP at £4.99 for 2 x 85g dental sticks.

All Soopa products including the new Senior and Jumbo range are low fat, grain free, made with human grade ingredients and with 100% recyclable packaging. Simple, delicious, nutritious and best of all dogs LOVE them!

Since launching in 2013 Soopa is a family owned business and 100% plant – based pet treat brand which is successfully growing beyond the UK borders to Europe and Asia.

"Owners want to apply their own dietary habits and values to their animals want to help the planet as well. From all the product ranges, they want to see more products in the treats range. Plant- based products are high in demand and on trend," said owner Barbara Hanly.

TRIXIE has overhauled and newly developed more than 90 products in the growing bird segment in co-operation with the World Bird Park Walsrode. 

The focus of the co-operation was on sustainability and adequate construction for the species of the products along with safety and health for the pets. 

For the new items for ornamental birds, special attention was paid to the use of natural materials such as bamboo, rattan, sea shells, cotton and sisal.

The packaging of the product range was restructured in the course of a harmonious adaptation of colours and designs. The current display allows making the right choices for size, type and demands of the birds at a glance. 

The new concept has a high recognition value at POS. The POS materials include magnetic fascia, signs, posters and brochures.