The Nutriment Company has announced the appointment of Peter Roy as its new Managing Director for the UK.

Peter brings extensive experience in the pet food industry, having started with Anglian Meat Products in 2010 and helping it transform into Natures Menu in 2011. 

Under his leadership, Natures Menu grew from £6m to £64m in revenue and expanded into 14 European countries. After Agrolimen acquired Natures Menu in 2021, Peter founded COYA Pet in 2022, the UK's first freeze-dried raw pet food brand. Within a year, COYA was listed in 1,400 UK stores and was acquired by IFD earlier this year.

In his new role, Peter will oversee The Nutriment Company’s UK operations and strategic initiatives, with a strong focus on expanding its market presence and strengthening brands Totally Natural Pet Products, Nutriment, Nova and Natural Instinct. 

Committed to driving innovation in the UK pet trade, he aims to support retailers in their growth and success, working closely with them as partners. Additionally, he is enthusiastic about exploring further acquisitions to bolster our market position and service offerings.

“We are thrilled to welcome Peter Roy to our team,” said Anders Kristiansen, CEO of The Nutriment Company. “With his extensive experience and proven leadership, we are confident in our ability to achieve our ambitious goals in the UK market. All our brands are committed to the UK pet trade, a sector Peter is enormously passionate about.”

Commenting on the appointment, Peter said: “I am honoured to join The Nutriment Company and lead the UK team. My career has been dedicated to the pet food industry, and I am passionate about driving innovation and supporting our retail partners. Together, we will work to enhance our offerings and achieve new milestones in the UK market.”

Corby + Fellas has won the business to implement its acclaimed WinRetail System for Swallow Aquatics, which has stores in Essex, Kent and Norfolk.

Corby + Fellas specialises in EPoS, stock control and retail management application software and systems for pet shops, country stores, farm shops and garden centres, both instore and online. 

The company’s software is fully integrated to accommodate not only weighed and measured items, but also comprehensive promotions with such products. It also offers a suite of restaurant applications, from self-service kiosk, to table service APPS and kitchen ordering and production.

A spokesperson for Corby + Fellas said: “Swallow Aquatics is renowned as ‘Britain's Number One Aquatic Experts’ for good reason. With arguably the best range of aquatics supplies on offer anywhere in the UK, they are confident that you will find all your aquatics needs on their website and in their four specialist stores.

“C+F will be providing Swallow Aquatics with a new customer APP, interface to their Shopify Website and full integration to XERO.

“We look forward to a long-standing partnership with Nick, Gavin, Will and the Swallow Aquatics Team.”

If you are interested in seeing how Corby + Fellas can help your business email sales@corbyfellas.com

Pedigree Wholesale has announced the acquisition of the Collards Dog Food brand. The range, previously owned and distributed by Kennelpak, includes over 30 dry and wet dog food products suitable for all life stages, from puppies to senior dogs.

Collards Dog Food is renowned for its complete and balanced nutrition, featuring high-quality ingredients and carefully crafted recipes. These products ensure dogs enjoy delicious, nutritious, and healthy meals. Specially formulated to be gentle on a dog's stomach, Collards offers easy digestion and peace of mind for pet owners.

Made using hypo-allergenic principles by restricting protein sources, Collards recipes use a single meat or fish source while avoiding common bulking agents such as wheat and wheat derivatives, known to have the potential to cause allergies.

Julian Grindey, Managing Director at Pedigree Wholesale, said, "The Collards brand is already well known in the marketplace and is a valuable addition to Pedigree Wholesale's own and exclusive brand offerings."

He continued, "We want to assure current Collards stockists that we are in strong supply of the product already, while offering other specialist pet retailers the opportunity to stock the brand in their stores and online in the coming weeks." 

Tom Neale, National Account Manager at Pedigree Wholesale, said, "Our Business Development Managers are aware of all previous stockists at KennelPak, and the team will be getting in touch over the coming weeks. For any enquiries, please feel free to contact us.”

The Collards dog food brand is now exclusively available through Pedigree Wholesale. To place orders or for more information, please contact your Business Development Manager or the Customer Services Team at 0115 982 3900.

No Fuss Fill has announced the expansion of its bestselling SkooGo Dog Walking Pocket Gloves with the introduction of a second size, just in time for Winter 2024. 

Following the success of the original one-size SkooGo Pocket Gloves, the company is now offering these innovative gloves in Size 1 (S/M) and Size 2 (M/L). Designed to enhance the outdoor experience for dog walkers, these gloves offer unmatched convenience, functionality, and comfort.

Key Features:

• Grip Palm and Index Finger: The gloves feature a specially designed grip palm and index finger, providing enhanced confidence and control while holding leads. Unlike traditional wool and fleece gloves, the lightweight webbed surface offers a superior grip, crucial for dog walkers.
• Fingerless Design with Soft Edges: No more removing gloves repeatedly. The fingerless design allows easy access to open and tie poo bags, treat your dog, unclip and clip leads, all without taking off your gloves. The soft-edged finish ensures practicality and comfort.
• SkooGo Pockets: Each glove includes a handy pocket to store essentials such as treats, poo bags, or keys. The soft hook & loop closure keeps items secure yet easily accessible.
• Knitted Cuff: The knitted cuff ensures warmth and snugness, eliminating chilly wrists and uncomfortable gaps during outdoor activities.

Observing dog walkers struggling with traditional gloves on cold days, frequently removing them to handle tasks such as opening poo bags or giving treats, inspired the creation of these gloves. Traditional gloves often lack the functionality needed for outdoor activities, leading to shorter walks in winter due to inconvenience and discomfort.

The SkooGo Dog Walking Pocket Gloves were designed to address these issues by providing warmth, fingerless functionality, a grip palm, and practical pockets for essentials. The result is a product that makes dog walking more enjoyable and efficient.

Design Criteria:

• Greater Lead Control: Improved control with a grip palm and index finger design, ensuring a secure and comfortable walking experience.
• Convenient Storage and Access: Store training treats, poo bags, or keys in the glove pockets for easy access.
• Ultimate Convenience and Comfort: Enjoy walks with your dog without compromising on functionality.

The response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive:

• “Game changer! These are exactly what I needed for our winter walks! Lovely and warm and the grippy bit on the inside makes holding onto the lead nice and easy unlike with normal gloves, and the convenience of the pockets...just, wow.”
• “Absolutely amazing gloves. Super warm, comfortable and the non-slip area on the palms is fantastic for our biothane long line.”
• “These gloves are great. I always worry about wearing gloves when walking the dogs as I don't feel I have the same grip. Well, these gloves fix that problem by having handy palm grips. The pocket for poo bags is such a great idea too. A must-have for those colder days.”
• “Perfect for training walks in the cold! No longer have to choose between having cold hands or being able to dish out treats quickly on training walks! They keep my hands nice and warm, the added grip is great for not letting the lead slip, and the pockets on the back are handy for keeping a few emergency poo bags!”

Availability:

The SkooGo Dog Walking Pocket Gloves are available now in two sizes (S/M and M/L) at an RRP of £14.99. For more information and to purchase, visit www.nofussfill.com

Wholesale Enquiries: Email wholesale@nofussfill.com

The gloves will also be on display and available to order at PATS 2024 on the No Fuss Fill stand (P9).

Butternut Box has secured a major retail listing with Pets at Home, bringing Fresh dog food to the UK’s leading pet care business for the first time.

The exclusive retail partnership marks a significant milestone for the Fresh dog food brand in their commitment to improving accessibility to Fresh dog food, regardless of pet parents' preferred shopping method.

David Nolan, co-founder of Butternut Box, said: “We believe that dogs deserve the best and are committed to using only the freshest, human-quality ingredients in our meals to help dogs to stay fit and healthy. We even taste test the recipes ourselves. To date, Butternut Box has provided tailored meal plans directly to customers' doorsteps, ensuring personalised nutrition for dogs across the country.

“We’re incredibly proud to bring our Fresh dog food to Pets at Home customers for the first time. With our shared ethos of creating a better world for dogs, this partnership will enable us to reach even more pet parents in a way that suits them, whilst spreading the word about the benefits of fresh nutrition for dogs.”

Butternut Box is aiming to change dog food for good. Using human-quality meat and vegetables, each ingredient is gently cooked to create simple, tasty and complete meals, with the right balance of vitamins and minerals for dogs of every age.

As well as supporting growth and immunity, the benefits of a Fresh diet include stronger gut health, healthier skin and a shinier coat. In fact, 84% of Butternut Box customers have seen an improvement in their dog’s health after feeding Fresh.

Butternut Box was the first brand to launch into the Fresh dog food category in the UK, growing the market share from 0% to 5% in 8 years.

The UK fresh pet food category has since seen rapid growth, growing 111% from 2021-2022, compared to all other pet food formats, which saw growth of less than 15%.

Overall, the global Fresh pet food market is predicted to grow from USD 581.7 Million in 2021 to USD 2379.41 million by 2031.

David Wainwright, Commercial Director at Pets at Home, said: “We are delighted to be the first retailer to bring Butternut Box’s Fresh dog food to customers. Our exclusive partnership will see Butternut Box rollout across hundreds of our Pet Care Centres nationwide over the next few years, bringing Fresh dog food to a whole new audience. With the Fresh dog food category growing so rapidly, we’re looking forward to seeing what this partnership will bring.”

Butternut Box recipes are available in 50 Pets at Home stores nationwide now, with further stores to follow. Recipes include customer favorites Pork This Way, Gobble Gobble Turkey, Chicken You Out and Duo of Duck and Chicken.

The Butternut Box meals are sold in a single, 400g pouch (RRP: £3.79) with a Variety Box containing seven meals made up of 4 tasty recipes and a low-fat Chicken Box also available (RRP £24.99).

Spending on pets has soared some 76% over the past five years, according to Nationwide’s Spending report. The significant rise in spend follows a peak in pet ownership during the pandemic years.

Nationwide’s Spending Report – an analysis of more than 239 million debit card, credit card and Direct Debit transactions – shows c.£7.6 billion was spent overall in June. Spending overall was up 3% per cent compared to the previous year, while transactions were up 5% per cent.

The increased spend on pets is a theme that has emerged in recent years. With £51.8 million spent by Nationwide customers in the year to June, the total costs of keeping a furry, scaly of feathered friend outweighed total spend on childcare (£37.1m), gardening (£30,1m) or looking for love from a human companion (dating: £986k). There was a four per cent increase in spending on pets in the last 12 months alone.

Separate Nationwide research of 1,000 pet owners showed the average person spends £126 per month2 on everything from food and treats to bedding and insurance. However, there are a range of additional costs which can sharply increase the cost, including dealing with long-term health issues (£361) or injuries (£338), pet trainer (£264), dental care (£262), dogwalker (£248), home repairs (£247), kennels (£245), grooming (£140) and vet bills (also £140).

However, ongoing cost-of-living pressures has led 14 per cent of owners to consider giving up their pet, with one in ten (10%) having to take the difficult decision of rehoming a pet.

Essential spending overview: the amount spent in June reached £4.2 billion down one per cent compared to the previous year, while the volume of transactions (c.121m) was up two per cent. Housing continues to account for the biggest rises with renters seeing an 18 per cent increase, while mortgage repayments increased 12 per cent. However, there were falls in spending on utilities (-17%) and discount stores (-6%).

Non-essential spending overview: at £3.4 billion, overall non-essential spending was up five per cent on last June while the number of transactions (c.118m) was up seven per cent. Euro 2024, combined with periods of warmer weather, also boosted spend, with some of the biggest rises recorded on gambling (+12%) and eating and drinking out (+10%). However, there were falls on spending on dating (-15%), DIY & home maintenance (-11%), gardening (-3%) and clothing and shoes (-3%).

Mark Nalder, Nationwide’s Strategy & Performance Director, said: “Costs have risen across the board in recent years and pet ownership is not immune from this. While people plan for everyday costs such as food or insurance, it is the additional costs that can soon mount up, such as kennel costs or vet bills and long-term health conditions not covered by insurance.

“Spending rose as we head into summer with more people travelling and discretionary spend in supermarkets increasing as the UK enjoyed the Euro’s tournament and the occasional opportunity to get out their BBQs.”

The UK's first-ever at-home lateral flow tests for pets have been launched and claim to detect some of the most common and lethal diseases that plague pets in just 10 minutes.

Developed by medical pet pioneers, Labrador, in collaboration with TV vet Dr Scott Miller, these at-home tests promise to revolutionise how Brits care for their four-legged friends.

Using testing technology that gained popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic, Labrador’s range of tests require nothing more than a simple swab test in either a dog or cat’s mucus, stool or vomit and provides results in minutes.

Each test checks for multiple health concerns, helping pet owners to quickly decide if a vet visit is necessary.

With a clinically proven >97% accuracy, Labrador’s pet health tests detect everything from giardia, coronavirus and distemper (known as feline panleukopenia) – meaning a positive result could help save your furry friend’s life.

This new range of at-home tests can not only save our beloved pets, they can also help money-strapped Brits. With an initial visit to the vets costing up to £70 and blood tests costing upwards of £1,000 if sedation is required, Labrador’s new range could save pet owners £1,000s on unnecessary visits to the vet, with tests costing as little as £17.50 each.

Labrador’s full range includes:

• Doggy Diarrhoea Test (£39.99) – A test to detect for canine parvovirus, coronavirus, giardia and rotavirus, whenever your dog is suffering from diarrhoea. Simply swab your dog’s stool to help you check if one of these common viruses is the cause before seeking treatment.
• Doggy Cough Test (£34.99) – For when man’s best friend is sneezing or coughing. This test will detect if your dog is suffering from distemper, adenovirus or influenza with a swab from your dog’s watery eyes or runny nose to check.
• Sneezy Cat Test (£34.99) – Is your feline friend sneezing, drooling or suffering from a fever or blocked nose? This test will detect whether your cat is positive for feline herpesvirus (FHV) or feline calicivirus (FCV) with a swab of your cat’s watery eyes or runny nose.
• Cat Diarrhoea Test (£34.99) – A test that detects panleukopenia, coronavirus, and giardia whenever your dog is suffering from diarrhoea. Pop the swab in your cat’s poo to check if the cause is one of these common illnesses.

Michael Hodnett, co-founder of Labrador, said: "We as a nation love our pets – some even more than our friends and family! But unlike our loved ones, our pets can’t communicate how they feel, meaning pet owners are left to rely on costly visits to the vet if their four-legged friend is acting out of sorts.

“That’s why we developed Labrador – a way for pet owners to check their dog’s or cat’s health in the comfort of their own home, without the added anxiety or cost of a visit to the vet.

“Through our tests, our mission is to revolutionise pet care by putting the power of detection in pet owners' hands.”

Dr. Scott Miller, renowned vet and broadcaster, said: "It's been great to be involved in the development of a product that can help dedicated and intelligent owners take control of their pets' health, using technology that we have all become used to during Covid to understand the causes of illness in the comfort of their own home. 

“Vets in the UK are overwhelmed at present, so common sense and pragmatic pet parents using at-home tests is helpful in reducing anxiety in animals, reducing pressure on Vet teams while better understanding the animals they love.

“While nothing can replace a trained veterinarian's comprehensive care and treatment, at-home testing empowers pet owners to make informed decisions about their furry friends' health needs. It's an excellent first step that can either provide peace of mind or signal the need for professional veterinary attention."

For further information visit https://www.labrador.fyi/

The founders of EasyEat have been celebrating this week with news that their innovative pet feeder is now available to buy online from Pets at Home as well as being nominated for three PetQuip Awards...

The EasyEat feeder has been created in the UK by pet lovers Callum Saunders and Declan Poole in order to alleviate the harm caused by the unhealthy eating position from traditional and even raised bowls.  

Working with numerous vets they have created a beautifully designed raised pet feeder that will enhance ya dog’s life and with its aesthetic design, will add style to your home. 

Their hard work has now paid off as the EasyEat Feeder is now available to buy online at Pets at Home as well as being nominated in three categories at the PetQuip Awards –Best Product (Technical and Accessories), Most Promising New Business  and Sustainability.

The EasyEat’s open, edgeless entry creates a natural feeding position - a straight back and elongated neck with a forward facing head creating open airways. Opening airways is essential with some breeds (particularly flat-nosed breeds) as they are prone to suffer with narrow nasal passages and windpipes which can lead to breathing problems. 

The EasyEat feeder is currently aimed at small to medium-sized dogs but many breeds whether large or small can have certain anatomical predispositions and, can indeed experience issues with their backs and posture when eating. This is often due to the height of their food and water dishes. When these bowls are too low, dogs may have to stoop or strain their necks downward to eat, which can put stress on their backs and contribute to poor posture over time. On the other hand, if the bowls are too high, dogs may have to stretch upward to reach their food, which can also strain their backs and necks. Having the right height of feeding bowl is therefore very important.

The inspiration for this design came from one of the creator’s dogs, Benji. He was diagnosed with pug myelopathy about 4-5 years ago and at the age of 7 found himself in a lot of pain, couldn’t really use his back legs and would cry during feeding times as he would be bending down putting pressure on his joints and spine. It was only after experimenting with a plate on a flat surface that Callum and Declan found the correct feeding position which has now been replicated in The EasyEat feeder.

“The EasyEat feeder has an open entry design, with very little depth which is the catalyst to unlocking the health benefits of the product. There is nothing else like it on the market in terms of the technical measurements and design. We have a design patent across the UK, EU and a patent in the USA,” said Callum.

“Incorporated in our design are a number of features such as: built in handles for easy manoeuvrability, over-moulded TPE feet to help stability and protect floors, stacking feature for easy storage, removable inserts to help with a slow feeder option and our ergonomic design which helps cleaning and keeping everything hygienic.  All of this together helps make us truly unique.”

The EasyEat feeder is available in a range of colours, original beige and five pastel colours.

Callum added: “We are super excited to see our product launch online with Pets at Home. A lot of hard work has gone into developing EasyEat over the past 2 years and it feels like we are just getting started in the market but there is more exciting news to come on our product range. We are also delighted to be recognised by PetQuip.”

EasyEat will be exhibiting on stand P19 at PATS Telford in September. For further information visit www.easyeatofficial.com

Pet product retailers across the length and breadth of the UK flung open their doors on Saturday 13th July to mark the first ever National Pet Shop Day, with more than 200 joining the official roll call of participants.

A celebration of the significant role that pet shops and stores have within local communities – National Pet Shop Day 2024 saw swathes of pet owners pop along to their local retailer to enjoy the numerous pop-up parties, events, and festivities – all offering a greater insight into the huge range of support, products, services and advice that high street retailers provide direct to those concerned for their pet’s health and wellbeing.

Pet shops and stores of all sizes throughout the UK, embraced the opportunity to thank their existing customers and encourage in new ones, by hosting a range of interactive instore activities including, free pet photography, prize draws, discounts, cake stalls, goodie bags, and freebies, to name just a few.

Some even used the day to raise funds for other local animal charities, showcasing once again just why the nation’s pet shops and stores are so special, and deserving of a day celebrating the positive contribution they make within society.

Paul Gwynn, Managing Director at Johnson’s Veterinary Products, explained: “Pet shops and stores are the local health and wellbeing hubs of the pet world. They offer direct face-to-face support and advice to pet owners, by sharing healthcare and product knowledge based on years, sometimes decades of experience caring for the pets we love.

“These retailers are so much more than just a point of purchase. They are critical to the relationship pet owners have with their pets and fill so many roles – a friendly ear, a trusted confidante, an experienced advisor and a source of innovation.

“We launched National Pet Shop Day as a way of saying thank you to these businesses for all that they do, and to encourage more pet owners to explore the range of affordable wellbeing support and care services they have on their doorstep.

“It’s been humbling and incredibly rewarding to see the support that this initiative has received from the retailers themselves, and from the communities in which they operate.

“We genuinely hope that by championing the nation’s pet shops and stores, and celebrating the benefits of shopping with them, we will continue to help give animal lovers the confidence they can handle their pet’s conditions effectively and efficiently, without always breaking the bank.”

The UK’s leading independent provider of pet care and wellbeing products, Johnson’s Veterinary Products, launched National Pet Shop Day in 2024 to mark the ongoing, positive contribution of pet shops and stores, and celebrate their dedication, knowledge, and experience in supporting the nation’s pet owners.

It is evident from the support offered by retailers and consumers alike, that this will become an annual event, likely to grow in importance as more people come to understand the vital role fulfilled by their local pet shop or store, in these cost-of-living conscious times.

For more information visit nationalpetshopday.com.

An army veteran is on a mission to deal with dog poo after becoming a canine professional when he left the forces.

Nick Avery, now living in Bristol but originally from Torquay, served with three regiments including Airborne Forces in his 22 years service.

During this time he saw tours of duty around the world including the Northern Island and Falklands conflicts.

After leaving the army, Nick continued to use his forces skills working in security and humanitarian endeavours abroad, but then after a friend got him into dog walking when home on leave, he found that it was the exact change of pace that he needed.

He said: "I found myself starting to decompress and realised that dog walking was so therapeutic, I was out in nature and not having to worry about anyone wanting to harm me or the person I was looking after, I suddenly had an epiphany, I didn't care about money anymore I just wanted to do this for the rest of my life."

But on his walks Nick was always annoyed by litter, and in particular the dog poo bags discarded by owners in the beauty spots he visited.

"One of the things you learn in the army is never to leave litter, it can lead to the enemy finding your location, and it is bad for the environment. It started to really annoy me how trees were becoming dog poo trees, dog poo bushes and it is so ugly and dirty.

"I think because some of the bags say biodegradable on them people must think they just melt away, but they take years to go back to the earth." Said Nick.

In lockdown Nick and his wife Vicky moved back to Torquay to care for his father, who sadly passed away two years later from dementia. Nick was also one of the many ex forces personnel who were called upon to help communities around the UK during the pandemic.

It was a difficult time, but it also gave Nick the time to think about what his work might be going forward, and after his spell with dog walking he came upon a bright idea.

Nick enthused: "I decided that maybe, if people had a Pawfectbag which was designed especially for dog walkers they may not feel the need to leave all their dog poo and litter lying about. In the pandemic more people got dogs than ever before, there are now 12million dogs living in the UK so this is a problem that urgently needed solving."

Nick invented the Pawfectbag design, and set about finding UK-based manufacturers to help him make the bags a reality.

The unique bags can fit all your dog walking essentials, in special removable sections and a third pocket which is specifically designed to hold bagged dog dirt and litter keeping it away from other items. The section is easily removed to be cleaned and refitted, ensuring that the bag remains hygienic.

When the bag has reached the end of its life, the compartments can then be repurposed as decorative hanging baskets, with the firm giving customers advice on how to recycle their purchase.

He added: "The bags are produced in Devon so have a low carbon footprint and it was also really important to me to support the British workforce. The removable pockets are my unique selling point, and I hope that people who use the bags may even be inspired to rebag and pick up other dog poo and litter as they walk. Dog poo is no good for the environment and affects animals both domestic and wild."

The business is now in its third year, and Nick couldn't be happier doing the job that he loves and travelling to canine events around the country.

He's also teamed up with the National Federation of Retired Service Animals charity, which supports service animals of all stripes in their retirement, something that Nick is particularly proud of as a veteran himself.

"We all have a life expectancy including animals. I believe they serve us well in detecting bombs and weapons to name a few. When they retire they deserve to live out their lifestyle with love and fun, and this is exactly what the charity gives them. For every bag sold a donation goes to them so we can help to make a difference.

"I feel like I have a product here which can really solve a problem and give back, and it's all UK based. This really has been an amazing journey for me and to be able to help other dog owners, a charity and the environment and do my bit is a brilliant thing. It has been wonderful.”

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Henry Bell Wild Bird Care has welcomed Mike Mills to its national network of sales agents, representing the brand across Kent and East and West Sussex, with sole responsibility for garden centre and country store customers in the region.

“This is big Henry Bell country,” said Mike. “So there are plenty of accounts to look after and they are a real mixture. Some belong to buying groups, while others are smaller independents. It certainy helps that Henry Bell stock availability is so good, delivery times are brilliant and it’s a nice company to work with. There’s a definite family feel and everyone seems so supportive.

“Customers have really bought into the brand, as they like the quality of Henry Bell products and their sleek, professional packaging, which looks fantastic on store shelves.”

Mike, who set up his own business, Mills Agencies, just a few months ago, has extensive experience of garden centres and began working in them straight after leaving school. “I started as a weekend till operator and then progressed to deputy manager positions before crossing over to the other side as a merchandiser and sales representative for Apta, a leading trade supplier of garden pottery,” he added. For the last four years, Mike was a sales agent for Wilson Agencies.

“We are delighted to welcome Mike aboard,” said Henry Bell National Sales Manager Andrew Mellowes. “He is a tremendous asset to the company, bringing a fresh pair of eyes, a broad knowledge base and a huge amount of enthusiasm. Mike is popular with all our accounts and well-liked and respected by members of the Henry Bell team.”

Mike lives in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, with his wife and three children. When he is not working, he enjoys spending leisure time with his family and catching a good movie.

Garden centres in Mike’s area wishing to find out more about becoming a Henry Bell stockist should contact him by emailing mike@mills-agencies.co.uk.

Pet Fair South East Asia has taken the pet industry by storm, establishing itself as an international meeting hub for stakeholders from Asia, Europe, the US, and the Middle East. 

The 2024 edition will be held from October 30 to November 1, featuring 400 exhibitors from 45 countries and 15,000 trade visitors from 75 countries. Free visitor pre-egistration is now open.

This fully business-to-business trade show offers a partnership hub for distribution, retail, and sourcing beyond the ASEAN region. Located in Bangkok, the 2024 edition will be at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre, spanning over 20,000 square meters.

Pet Fair South East Asia 2024 will feature 400 exhibitors from 45 different countries, representing the entire pet industry value chain. Organizers forecast 15,000+ trade visitors from 75+ countries. Pre-registered visitors can access the show for free, while on-site registrants will pay a fee of 350 THB (10 USD). So make sure to register now.

The global pet industry is meeting in Bangkok and invites you to be part of it:

• One-Stop Shop: Meet 400 exhibitors from over 45 countries.
• Global Appeal: Share the show floor with 15,000 trade visitors from 75 countries.
• Industry Experts: Attend 30+ insightful conference sessions.
• Networking: Connect with old industry friends and forge new partnerships.
• Thai Hospitality: Experience the world-famous Thai hospitality.

To register as a visitor for free show access visit https://www.petfair-sea.com/for-visitors/trade-visitors/

CSJ’s Skinny Spray is an effective, natural spray that fleas, ticks, mites (including mange), lice and flies absolutely hate.

Perfect for dogs and horses, just apply a light spray mist daily when contact problems exist - what could be easier? 

Impressed by its effectiveness on their animals, owners are using it on themselves too and reporting their relief and greater enjoyment when out with their animals!  

Skinny Spray may also be used on pet bedding and sleeping areas and has no preservatives, sulphates or artificial colours.  

There’s more - when it comes to a fight against pesky critters CSJ has it fully covered now with a whole ‘Skinny’ package including the original ‘Skinny’ trio of natural shampoo, spray and cream.  So great has been their success that CSJ added Skinny Herbs, a natural herb mix in a foil pouch, to the range and are simply sprinkled over food.

CSJ’s Ceri Rundle says: “As greening becomes more popular going ‘Skinny’ is even more of a relief."

For more on CSJ products visit www.csjk9.com or call 01745710470.

Family-owned PSR Trading Ltd (PSR), owner of award-winning retail chain Just for Pets, has announced the acquisition of Pets & Friends from Kennelpak, the pet specialist wholesaler, brand owner and distributor, for an undisclosed fee.

The move strengthens PSR’s position in the independent pet trade and allows Kennelpak to accelerate its ambition in the development of its Wholesale & Distribution division.

The acquisition includes Pets & Friends’19 stores and 17 grooming salons predominantly across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire as well as its thriving online business and subscription service. Pets & Friends will continue under its existing trading name and will operate alongside Just for Pets, as PSR looks to leverage synergies between the two brands to drive investment and innovation within the independent pet trade sector.

Noted for its exceptional customer service and pet nutrition expertise, Pets & Friends will continue to develop its successful proposition that provides pet parents with access to a carefully curated range of products to satisfy all pet needs, and high-quality services such as spa and grooming, nutritional advice, weight checking, puppy play, harness fitting and dog training.  

All Pets & Friends store and salon colleagues will transfer to PSR ensuring that the expertise that Pets & Friends stands for remains.  

Marking a significant milestone in PSR’s growth strategy, the acquisition sees the pet specialist expand its number of stores to 42, predominantly in the Midlands, with the company already on the lookout for new store locations for its brands to bring its proposition and expertise to more communities.

Paul Lewis Managing Director, PSR Trading Ltd said, “We’re excited to welcome Pets & Friends to PSR, it offers something different to customers and complements our portfolio of brands, Just for Pets and DOG by Just for Pets.”

He continued, “All jobs at Store level will remain in place including Store Managers, Store Teams and Groomers and I can’t wait to meet every team member as we look to continue the businesses growth together.”

Claire Bayliss, Chief Executive Officer, Kennelpak, said: “Under our management, Pets & Friends has undergone a significant transformation with investment at every level, evolving from a Midlands-based retailer to a much-loved multichannel pet specialist brand with national reach.  

'Our Wholesale & Distribution division has been the cornerstone of Kennelpak’s heritage for the past 50 years. Our aim is to strengthen its position as the trusted pet specialist, with an even greater emphasis on supporting our distributor partners’ plans for growth and continuing to deliver exceptional service for our customers. 

"We wish Paul and the team at PSR all the very best for the continued success of the Pets & Friends business.”

Pictured: Paul Lewis, Managing Director of PSR Trading Ltd, and Claire Bayliss, Chief Executive, Kennelpak.

The Nutriment Company, a leading provider of premium natural pet food, has announced the acquisition of PETMAN, one of Germany´s oldest and most respected raw pet food companies.

The acquisition of PETMAN marks another important step for The Nutriment Company in becoming Europe's leading player in the minimally processed pet food space, being already its third acquisition in 2024. After the previous acquisitions of Dibo, Barfgold, Aniforte and Haustierkost, PETMAN is now the fifth pet food company in Germany belonging to TNC. With PETMAN on board, TNC now offers a fully comprehensive range of products in Germany – from raw food to natural treats and food supplements – across all sales channels and further solidifies itself as the leading raw player in the German-speaking region.

Founded in the 1990s and headquartered in Wuppertal, Germany, PETMAN is a pioneer in the German raw pet food industry. The company is renowned for its innovative approach to natural pet food, offering a wide range of high-quality raw food products that cater to the diverse needs of dogs, cats, fish and reptiles. Committed to using 100% natural ingredients, PETMAN ensures that all products are free from artificial additives, grains, and fillers. With a strong focus on customers, PETMAN provides convenient product formats and easy accessibility through a broad base of pet specialist retailers. Dedicated to the health and happiness of pets, PETMAN continues to lead the market with premium raw food solutions that pet owners trust – exemplified through innovations such as “BARF-in-One complete nuggets” and their award-winning ice cream for dogs.

Andreas Hundt, CEO of Hundt Tiefkühlprodukte und Dienstleistungen GmbH & Co. KG, commented on the acquisition: "Joining forces with TNC is the best possible outcome for us and PETMAN, since we can look back at many years as partners and joint product development. This deepened partnership now offers a fantastic opportunity for our employees to continue doing what we love most: offering to both new and longstanding customers products of the highest quality and an exceptional service."

Anders Kristiansen, CEO of The Nutriment Company, explained: "PETMAN is a great business that compared to many other companies in the market has always had a rigorous focus on customer satisfaction rather than having a purely product-centric mind-set. This fits perfectly to The Nutriment Company, where we combine both – vertically integrated operations and manufacturing capabilities, but always coming from what the customer wants."

Julius Adrian, Head of Corporate Development at The Nutriment Company, added: "It was very apparent from day 1 that both parties think and act the same way – customer-first while never compromising on product quality and innovation. I'm very happy that Andreas and his team decided to get on board and find a way to combine our state-of-the-art production capabilities with PETMAN's outstanding eye for new product and customer innovations." 

The PetQuip trade association has revealed this year’s list of awards finalists. The winners will be announced at the PetQuip Awards dinner on 30 September at Telford International Centre.

The 15 awards include categories for products, marketing, retailers, suppliers, sustainability and individual achievement. New categories for this year include rising star, employee of the year and best trade marketing campaign.

“The pet trade naturally attracts innovation and creativity, reflected in the exceptional standard of entries to the awards this year. Our panel of judges will have a tough task to select the winners", said Susan Fairley, Trade Federation Manager for PetQuip. 

“We are particularly delighted with the response to our new categories,  which highlight individuals: rising star and employee of the year. Alongside Lifetime Achievement, these awards recognise the exceptional talent of some very special people and their contribution to this incredible industry.”

The entries have been shortlisted to finalists, which will be judged by an independent panel of retailers, consultants and marketing specialists in late August. 

The winners will be announced during the PetQuip industry awards dinner on 30 September, the second day of PATS.

The evening will begin with a drinks reception, followed by a table service dinner and entertainment.

“The awards dinner is always a great evening of networking between manufacturers, suppliers and retailers. While winning an award is a massive accolade, we hope that everyone who has been recognised as a finalist or commended will enjoy their success and celebrate this amazing sector,” added Amanda Sizer Barrett, Director General, PetQuip.

Tickets for the dinner can be booked through the PetQuip website or by calling 01959 565995.

The PetQuip Awards’ headline sponsor is Leopard Co and the awards are sponsored by CIPS, Group55, Law Print and Packaging, SUPERZOO, Pedigree Wholesale, Petface, Zoomark, Interzoo, Noble Futures, James & Steel, PBW and PATS.

A full list of the finalists and more details about the evening can be found here.

The finalists are:

Supplier of the year 

TRIXIE UK Pet Products Ltd

Proflax Superfood Supplements

J&K Aquatics Ltd

Brambles Pet and Wildlife

Pedigree Wholesale

Mutneys Professional Pet Care Ltd

Harvest Pet Products Ltd

Whitebridge Pet Brands

Pet Trade Innovations Ltd

Pets Love Scruffs

PowAir Nature Ltd

HugglePets

Glowcroft Contract Packing

Buitelaar Food Ltd

Nutriment

Natures Pet Products

We.pet Independent Wholesale

Burns Pet Nutrition 

NutriFusion

Furr Boost

Most promising new starter business – sponsored by Interzoo

The Muzzle Movement

Fell Dog 

POOZ

Imaginelles

Pipsbootique

Pawionic

Tippaws

Inventor Cat

Pet Trust UK

Wonderful World of Treats 

Pawer Water

Our Pet Village Ltd

The EasyEat Company

Xparkles

AniVatio 

Natures Pet Products

Pawd Drinks

Gizzls

Business service of the year

The Animal Talent

Four Paws Groom School

Copdock Mill

K9 Paws Behavior Dog Training 

Ant Antics

Millin Brook Luxury Dog Boarding

Associated Veterinary Services

NutriFusion

Sustainability award – sponsored by CIPS

Stix and Co

Simply2 Pet Products

Earth Rated

Pets Love Scruffs

Pawionic

Kompact9

Ant Antics

Antler Chew Wholesale Ltd

Benevo

Burns Pet Nutrition 

The EasyEat Company

Xparkles

Pawd Drinks

Beco

Earth Animal

Furr Boost

Henry Wag

Best trade marketing campaign – sponsored by PBW

My Anxious Dog

Brambles Pet and Wildlife

Frozzys 

Pawsome Paws Boutique

Product of the year: accessories and technical

DotDotPet

Fell Dog 

West Paw (2 products)

Pets Love Scruffs

Pipsbootique

Inventor Cat

Hurtta

Trinkety Paws

ROGZ

Pup & Kit (2 products)

The EasyEat Company

Xparkles

DogSpace

Brightkins

Company of Animals (2 products)

Pawdaw of London (2 products)

Play9 

Poorly Paws

Pawdaw of London 

MAXX Medical Pet Care

Product of the year: healthcare and grooming

DotDotPet

Pawionic

POOZ

The Holistic Hound

GHS Direct

Pawionic (2 products)

Inventor Cat

TropiClean

Buddycare

VetBox

PowAir Nature Ltd

Pawer Water

Charlie The Vet Ltd

NT Labs

DUGV UK 

AniVatio 

VETIQ

Angelcare Corporate UK Ltd

Pawd Drinks

ADM White Label Pet Supplements

Woof and Brew 

Product of the year: food and treats

DotDotPet

Vitalin

Felight

Webbox

Wonderful World of Treats

Pup Ice

Pets Love Scruffs

Betty Miller

Brambles Pet and Wildlife

Dog & Bond

Earthz Pet (3 products)

Nobblys

Cooper & Co

Earthz Pet

Earthz Pet

Wild Antler

Antler Chew 

Petface

Whitebridge Pet Brands (4 products)

Dougie's Pets

Burns Pet Nutrition 

HugglePets

Gizzls

RIO Happy ring

Frozzys 

VETIQ

Harvest Pet Products Ltd

Dr Veneta

Earth Animal

Gizzls

Furr Boost

Pawer Water

JR Pet Products Ltd 

UK retailer of the year: independent

Joywyns Pet & Country

Wildwood Pets Ltd

Pickles Pet Pantry

Woofles

VetBox Ltd

Ant Antics

Inventor Cat

Doodledales

Our Pet Village Ltd

Trusty Pet Supplies

Tug-E-Nuff

Marshalls Pet Food Store

Play9 

Rising Star – sponsored by Noble Futures

Clara Hewson - The Muzzle Movement

Sophie Perry - iPET Network

Felix Robinson - Pet Trust UK

Sophie Chesman - Pawsome Paws Boutique

Employee of the year

Liane Avery - Pet Trade Innovations

Michelle Williams - Associated Veterinary Services 

Charmaine Cane - We.pet Independent Wholesale

Sara Mendana - Associated Veterinary Services

Daniel Barta - Associated Veterinary Services

The Theresa Swann exporter of the year award – sponsored by Group55

Pets Love Scruffs

Mutneys Professional Pet Care Ltd

Burns Pet Nutrition

Lifetime achievement award

To be announced at the PetQuip Awards dinner.

Pets at Home has posted revenue growth of 1.0% to £441.1m in the first quarter of the financial year, with like-for-like revenue up 0.5%.

Lyssa McGowan, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are pleased to have delivered a resilient Q1, with our growth improving through the quarter as our offer continued to resonate well with UK pet owners. The benefits of our investments in logistics, stores and digital are coming through, and our unique joint venture vets continued to deliver differentiated performance, growing visits and attracting new customers, driven by our passionate, independent practice owners.

“As ever it is our people, and their unrivalled expertise, that continue to drive our business. I would like to thank our colleagues and vet partners for their ongoing passion and dedication to creating a better world for pets and the people that love them.”

Financial highlights

• Consumer revenue up 1.5% to £576.6m supported by growing average customer spend and growth in active Pets Club members, up 3% YoY to 8.0m, offsetting the impacts of market normalization, as the pet population stabilizes, and slowing inflation.
• Total Group revenue growth of 1.0% to £441.1m, with Group like-for-like (LFL) revenue up 0.5%.
• Vet Group revenue remain strong growing 17.1%, and LFL2 of 13.3%, driven by higher average spend and growth in visits, supported by improved clinical capacity and continued strong new customer sign-ups.
• Retail revenue down -0.8% as expected, with LFL2 down -0.8%, with a stronger performance through the second half of Q1 driven by consistent market share gains in key categories confirming that our offer continues to resonate well with consumers. Category trends were broadly consistent with previous quarters.

Business highlights

• The digital platform is seeing a positive response from customers, and improved conversion rates show the platform can deliver on our ambitions, leaving us optimistic for the future. We continue to build improved functionality into the platform and build momentum with consumers.
• The company continues to grow its subscriptions revenues, now generating 11% of consumer revenue. Pet care plans benefited from strong customer acquisition in Vets during the quarter, while subscriptions in our Retail business are starting to benefit from the improved functionality offered by our new digital platform.
• Its investment program is on track. Year to date we have opened 2 new pet care centres and completed 5 refits including 2 vet extensions. Our Stafford DC continues to support very strong levels of availability and we are on track to transition our online operations this year.
• Pets at Home is progressing its sustainability agenda, and in the first quarter raised over £1.3m for pet charities, fed over 700k pets for a day through our pet food bank partnership with Blue Cross, and donated over 650 hours to local communities through our Better World Pledge volunteering program.

Current trading and outlook

• Pets at Home is making no change to guidance for FY25 and remains comfortable with current analyst consensus for Group underlying PBT of £144m. The H1/H2 profit shape is expected to broadly in line with prior year.
• Sales trends remain in line with expectations, with LFLs expected to improve in future quarters as comparatives ease, we see the benefits of continued strong availability and the benefits of the new platform start to come through.
• Gross margins were resilient through Q1, helped by favorable product mix including own label strength and good performance in some accessories categories such as Health & Wellbeing.
• The balance sheet remains robust and we are progressing our £25m share buyback.

An aquatic shop has closed its door for the last time. The Fish House in Coleraine, Northern Ireland has bid a fond farewell after 16 years in business.

Posting on the shop’s Facebook page, owners Ricky and Bobby, said: “Well that's it – The Fish House Coleraine has closed its doors for the final time.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone from the bottom of our heart who supported us these past 16 years.

"We've had the pleasure of having our hobby as a job and enjoyed every minute of it. It has been an honour to serve all the aquarists who came through the doors.

“Again a massive thank you to customers past and present and we wish you all the very best for the future.”

Picture taken from the shop's Facebook poge.

More than 340 pet brands exhibiting in four halls over three days will help to create the biggest-ever PATS in the show’s 15-year history.

The Pet & Aquatics Trade Show takes place at the Telford International Centre in Shropshire from Sunday, 29th September to Tuesday, 1st October 2024. 

It is the only event in the UK where buyers from specialist pet stores and garden centres can view all the latest product launches under one roof.

As well as meeting up with a long list of PATS regulars, visitors will be greeted by a host of new faces and new products. A growing number of companies are choosing to exhibit for the first time as they see PATS as the perfect place to announce their future plans. 

With the addition of an Aquatics Zone and a bigger New Starter Zone, this year’s exhibition will cover the whole of the Telford International Centre.

PATS is the ideal venue for visiting retailers to discover what’s new in the market and an ideal opportunity to talk to manufacturers and suppliers. 

The New Product Showcase will again be a popular feature of the show as it gives visitors the chance to see and touch the new products they will be stocking for the coming season. 

Entries to the Showcase will be judged by a panel of retailers for the New Product Awards on the first morning of the show, so the results will be known and highlighted throughout the four halls for the rest of the exhibition. 

As well as seeing a huge array of new pet products and speaking to the key suppliers and manufacturers, visitors will also be able to witness demonstrations from the country’s leading dog groomers.

A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the website www.patshow.co.uk together with information on how to reach the venue and regularly updated show news.

Opening times
Sunday, 29th September 2024: 9.30am-5.00pm
Monday, 30th September 2024: 9.30am-5.00pm
Tuesday, 1st October 2024: 9.30am-4.00pm