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The UK pet care market is set to reach £4.5 billion in 2021, up 8.6% on 2016, according to retail research and analysis firm Verdict Retail.
The company’s latest report states that pet accessories will be the fastest growing subsector, forecast to rise 14.8% by 2021, followed by health & hygiene up 9.8%, aided by growth in the online channel and the lucrative humanisation and wellbeing trends which are fuelling shopper spend.
Fiona Paton, Retail Analyst at Verdict Retail, explains: “The humanisation of pets is a trend that continues to gain momentum, with pet owners more willing than ever before to invest in new luxuries for their pet including bedding, clothing, specialised food, gadgets and healthcare items.”
Despite increased spending on pet care, discounters pose a significant threat to mid-market players. Paton continues: “The polarisation of pet care shopper spend is set to continue. The health and wellness trend is driving consumers to purchase premium pet care items, while the expansion of discounters and single-priced players has impacted the desirability of mid-market players, particularly the grocers.
“Product innovation is vital to offer shoppers something different and unique such as specialist diet pet food or new flavours and improved ingredients to drive impulse purchases and average basket size. Such a strategy is particularly important for grocers to help differentiate themselves from discounters and maintain their leading market positions.”
Verdict Retail’s 10,000-participant survey also revealed that although shopping in physical stores is still the most popular form of shopping channel for pet care, there is an increasing demand for shopping online, with 32.8% of consumers using online delivery.
Paton continues: “Online sales in pet care are set to grow by 43.4% between 2016 and 2021, so retailers must recognise changing consumer shopping habits and deliver convenience and flexibility to their customers, preferably providing a substantial multichannel offer as well as more local stores to consumers.
“Online pure player Fetch currently excels at delivering convenience by offering one-hour delivery slots and next-day delivery. Elsewhere, MedicAnimal is offering specialist healthcare advice via its online blog in order to engage with consumers and offer an added level of customer service.”
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The ‘Le Bol’ dog bowl has made a massive impact since being unveiled by Loving Pets and has all the makings of becoming one of the pet trade’s bestselling items in 2017.
Loving Pets showcase the ‘Le Bol’ bowl at PATS Telford where it won universal praise on its way to picking up a New Product Award.
The award judges, made up of independent retailers, said: “It’s very well priced, and comes in bright colours that could co-ordinate with anyone’s kitchen. This is a non-stick versatile bowl with a good enameled design.”
“I can’t believe how busy the show at PATS Telford was. It was really full-on from start to finish and we’re already planning for next year when we’re going to go bigger,” said Jonathon Moyce, of Loving Pets UK.
“We’re really expecting big things from the ‘Le Bol’ dog bowl and the award certainly increased interest in the product.”
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Lily’s Kitchen has been named as the UK’s top rated ethical pet food company for the 8th year running by ethical consumer comparison company The Good Shopping Guide.
It is the only pet food brand with an index score of 100, which highlights the company’s continued commitment to ethical behaviour, responsible corporate governance and employee integrity.
Henrietta Morrison, CEO and founder of Lily’s Kitchen, said: “We are once again honoured to be recognised by The Good Shopping Guide as the UK’s most Ethical Pet Food brand.
"At Lily’s Kitchen we embrace all that is special in the relationship between pets, people and the planet. Our Mission Statement includes a commitment to environmental stewardship: we are dedicated to providing proper food for pets, with a commitment to tread carefully on the planet and actively engage with our community. We transform the quality of the lives of pets and people through innovative, natural, healthy products and phenomenal customer care.
"This accolade is a tremendous achievement and it speaks highly of the work we have always put in to doing the right thing for pets, people and the planet.”
When compiling this year's list, The Good Shopping Guide independently assessed the company’s competency in ethics and compliance; culture of ethics; leadership, innovation and reputation; corporate responsibility and governance.
"Good’ shopping is ethical shopping," added Henrietta. "This means buying products that are made in a responsible manner by companies who do not cause harm to or exploit people, animals or the environment. It is this type of shopping that inspires innovative products and companies, and discourages others that prefer to ignore the wide social and environmental consequences of their practices.”
One year ago, Lily’s Kitchen became a founding member of B Corp UK - an organisation begun in the US (Etsy and Patagonia are among the founding members) as a collection of companies united in their desire to use business as a force for good. Lily’s Kitchen has been ethically minded since day one, and its status as a B Corp UK founder member goes to underline that commitment.
Individually, ‘B Corps’ as they are known, meet the highest standards of performance and are transparent and accountable in their business operations. Member companies are encouraged to use their individual and collective power to help solve social and environmental problems.
Ensuring the business has a positive impact on society and the planet is at the heart of all Lily’s Kitchen does, and with their simple but meaningful mission - dedicated to providing naturally nutritious food for pets, and a pledge to tread carefully on the planet and actively engage with the community - Lily’s Kitchen heads towards its 9th year with a success to match its ambitions.
- Lily’s Kitchen recipes only ever contain freshly prepared meat and offal, fruit and vegetables, with no unnecessary additives.
- Nearly all of Lily’s Kitchen packaging is recyclable and the dry food bags and treat boxes are compostable too.
- Only water or vegetable based inks are used for printing packaging and brochures, to help minimise environmental impact from waste and toxicity.
- Lily’s Kitchen does not produce its food in foil pouches, despite many requests from retailers, as these do not breakdown and generally go straight into landfill. Instead, Lily’s Kitchen use aluminium trays which can be recycled once the stickers are removed.
- Lily’s Kitchen measure their carbon footprint using measurement platform Carbon Analytics. Their carbon footprint is estimated at 9,910 tCO2e, which means their carbon intensity is around 40% lower than the industry average.
- They give lots of nutritious meals to cats and dogs in need. In 2016 they gave away 653,488 meals to over 100 animal rescue centers as part of their Dinner’s On Us Campaign.
- 100% of Lily’s Kitchen’s significant suppliers (including packaging suppliers) take part in their annual sustainability survey where they gain information on their measurement of energy and water usage, emissions, waste and recycling.
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Johnston & Jeff has made a 'huge investment' in its woodshop resources and facilities as it launches its own range of small animal housing, starting with rabbit hutches.
The company unveiled its rabbit hutches at Glee last month and it prompted one visitor to the stand to comment: "I have never seen anything as splendidly as these..."
Commercial manager Chris Grange explained why Johnston & Jeff had made a huge investment to produce its small animal housing range/
"Other than the truly artisan one-offs made by specialist craftsmen there is nothing on the UK market of a sufficient quality to give an animal a decent life, warm, comfortable, and safe," said Chris.
"There are just cheap imports, badly made of low quality materials, and rarely supplied complete with all necessary components. So welcome instead to the Johnston & Jeff way of looking after animals. Properly. Seriously."
 The key points of the new range are: - 3 single tier and 3 double-tier hutches
- FSC® certified
- joinery made and to an exceptional standard
- frames made with 40mm x 40mm milled timber
- all solid areas 12mm tongue and groove
- floors in 11mm plywood
- mesh is 1/2” galvanised
- rubber end-caps on feet
- solid, well insulated, meets if not exceeds all welfare standards, extremely comfortable, a first
The hutches come as flat packs, but are easily assembled with full instructions and all necessary fittings.
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The Pet Industry Federation Awards Dinner 2016 takes place on Tuesday, November 1, at Wokefield Park, near Reading, and there's still time to book your place at the event.
The 50s themed evening will feature a three-course dinner, spectacular entertainment, a Rock n’ Roll live band and disco until the early hours.
Actor and Red Dwarf legend, Chris Barrie, will present the coveted awards and provide some light-hearted entertainment during the meal.
The evening starts at 6.45pm with pre-dinner drinks and canapes, before the Awards begin at 7.30pm.
Tickets to the Awards dinner cost £115 (PIF member rate), and £140 (non-member rate).
The Pet Industry Awards take place following the daytime Pet Industry Forum conference, which will focus on issues directly affecting pet retail and manufacturing businesses. It will cover topics such as: the future of livestock sales, offering new products and services to customers, and how to deliver success in a changing sales landscape.
A best value rate is available for delegates booking both the Forum & the Awards event of £220 (PIF member rate); and £270 (non-member rate).All prices are excl. VAT and accommodation. If you would like to book accommodation, contact Wokefield Park directly on 0118 933 4100. To secure your place you can either telephone 01234 273933 and speak to a member of PIF’s customer service team; or visit www.petfederation.co.uk to book online.
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Pooch and Mutt’s Daily Dental, Grain-Free Dog Treats were the star performers in the Pet Food/Treats category of The Grocer New Product Awards 2016.
The Grocer magazine is the leading grocery industry publication in the UK, read by both retailers and suppliers.
Now in their fifth year, the awards recognise the significant contribution and celebrate the latest product developments in the grocery sector. After three months of a rigorous judging process, more than 200 entries were whittled down to 133 shortlisted products across 32 different categories.
Each product was tested with consumers across Great Britain and then passed onto a panel of experts. The judges said Pooch and Mutt’s Daily Dental Grain-Free Dog Treats offered a “good health message on pack”, reflecting its dental hygiene credentials on the “appealing” packaging. Consumers loved them. Or at least their dogs did: they were “very excited” and “loved them” according to triallists, with seven out of 10 rating their pet’s enjoyment as “excellent”. Over 60% said they would definitely or probably buy the product, which had an “eye--catching design” and a “reasonable price for a dental product” at £1.99 for 80g.
Launched in 2016, and sourced and made in the UK, Pooch and Mutt’s grain-free treats are the first functional, grain-free dog treats available anywhere in the world. Each treat is packed with 75% Chicken/Duck/Salmon. The treats are bigger bones than the mini-bone tube treats and are extruded instead of baked to give them extra crunch.
Pooch and Mutt has experienced huge growth both in the UK and internationally over the past year. Their award-winning grain-free treats have helped propel them as a leader of innovation in the natural dog food category with their specific, functional ingredients winning over the health-conscious dog owner.
Guy Blaskey, founder of Pooch and Mutt said: “We are tremendously proud to win The Grocer New Product Award as it confirms and reinforces the positive feedback we receive on a daily basis from our customers. This has been a significant year of growth for Pooch and Mutt and so it is fantastic to be recognised as a leader of innovation in the pet category from such a highly respected industry publication”.
To find out more about Pooch and Mutt’s full product range visit poochandmutt.com or call 020 30 111 567.
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SureFlap has been awarded ‘highly commended’ in the Product Innovation of the Year category at the prestigious PetQuip Award for its innovative pet feeder, the SureFeedSealed Pet Bowl.
It is the third year running that SureFlap has won a PetQuip Award, highlighting the company’s dedication to developing and marketing cutting-edge products. Last year SureFlap won gold for its pioneering SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder and in 2014 it was gold for the SureFlap DualScan Cat Flap, the only cat flap to scan on both entry and exit giving cat owners complete control.
The company was presented with the award at a special party for the great and the good of the pet industry on the first evening of PATS Telford.
“We’re absolutely delighted to have won a PetQuip Award for the third year running and we are looking forward to launching some ground-breaking new products in 2017,” comments Nick Hill, founder and managing director of SureFlap.
The SureFeed Sealed Pet Bowl features a motion-activated lid that opens when a pet approaches to reveal the food bowl containing the pet’s food; the lid then closes onto the sealed bowl when the pet moves away after eating.
Suitable for use with wet and dry food, the SureFeed Sealed Pet Bowl features a unique integrated seal to help keep food fresher for longer. It also prevents wet food from drying out and reduces pet food odours in the home while preventing flies from settling on the pet’s food and laying eggs. The Sealed Pet Bowl is ideal for households with cats or small dogs.
For further information on the SureFeed Sealed Pet Bowl or the company’s microchip operated pet products which include the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder or its innovative SureFlap microchip pet doors, visit http://www.sureflap.com, phone 0800 912 7114 or email trade@sureflap.co.uk.
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Ethical retailer Pets Corner has donated over £700 to the charity ORCA to help conserve and protect whales and dolphins’ habitats in UK seas.
The funds from the family owned pet retailer, which donates 4% of its annual profits to charity each year and is a keen advocate of animal welfare, will be invested in a new state of the art tablet GPS tracker and identification software.
The enhanced equipment will enable researchers to accurately monitor and record species sightings – something that is crucial to maintaining habitats and creating safer environments for whales, dolphins and cetaceans.
ORCA’s volunteer teams work on board ferries and cruise ships in European waters to conduct monthly scientific surveys on species’ activities as well as running educational talks for passengers on deck.
Sally Hamilton, Director at ORCA, said: “We are all incredibly proud of ORCA and the volunteers. ORCA is a small, but significant charity – our work helps the UK government to identify important areas for whales and dolphins and informs their decision making for marine protected area designation as well as their conservation status.
“Through the generous support of companies, like Pets Corner, we have been able to create a national volunteer network of trained marine mammal surveyors. It is their commitment that ensures our whales, dolphins and cetaceans can be protected for future generations.”
Dean Richmond, Managing Director at Pets Corner, added: “It is an absolute pleasure to support the team at ORCA and contribute to the vital work they do for these beautiful and fascinating creatures. We hope our donation will help make a big difference to the research they carry out.”
To find out more or to make a donation to ORCA visit www.orcaweb.org.uk
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 The ‘worst’ dog owners live in the North Wales town of Conwy – with 512 fines handed out by council wardens last year.
Locals in the walled town appear to have become too relaxed when it comes to local rules around pets as the number of penalty notices has risen by 124 in one year.
Burnley is the second worst town, with 145 notices served on dog owners, followed by Torbay with 84 fines handed out.
In Scarborough and Coventry, 80 penalty notices were given out, and Liverpool dog owners received 79 fines.
The Dog Control Orders (DCOs) can be handed out for failing to remove dog poo, not keeping the pooch on a lead, letting a dog enter land it shouldn’t and taking too many mutts on to land.
Direct Line has urged dog owners to be more vigilant after research found that local authorities served 2,448 notices to dog owners in 2015 for breached DCOs.
The number of protection orders in place across England and Wales – specifically related to dogs – increased by nine per cent in the two years from 2013 to 2015.
In 2015 there were at least 892 Dog Control Orders instituted by local authorities, and there has already been 866 orders given out as of June 1 this year.
In total, local authorities made £160,485 in Fixed Penalty Notices – a rise of three per cent on the £155,256 generated in 2014.
The three local authorities which generated the highest revenue in 2015 were Liverpool City Council (£6,320), Torbay Council (£6,300) and Scarborough Borough Council (£6,000).
Cornwall Council has consistently had the highest number of DCOs in place amongst English and Welsh local authorities – with 120 across the county from 2013 to 2016.
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Eukanuba celebrates extraordinary dogs at Discover Dogs
Eukanuba will have a big presence at Discover Dogs, which takes place at the ExCel in London on October 22-23, and the company's Veterinary Training Manager, Kellie Ceccarelli, will be giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about the importance of providing dogs with the right tailored nutrition...
Eukanuba will have a big presence at Discover Dogs, which takes place at the ExCel in London on October 22-23, where the company's Veterinary Training Manager, Kellie Ceccarelli, will be giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about the importance of providing dogs with the right tailored nutrition and appropriate care for their breed and lifestyle in an interactive workshop.
Talking through the benefits of a complete diet to support a puppy’s development, Kellie will offer insight into the individual ingredients in Eukanuba’s super premium nutrition and its benefits.
Niki Keeler, Eukanuba’s ambassador and training expert, will also be on hand to offer basic training tips for puppies alongside live demonstrations helping pet owners to combat common problems. In addition, Eukanuba will be hosting RAF dogs and their handlers to showcase the extraordinary work they do and discuss the importance of keeping these dogs fit and healthy through premium nutrition and appropriate care in order for them to carry out their duties.
Live demonstrations will take place highlighting the importance of grooming as an essential part of caring for pets’ health and well-being.
Giuliano Buccino, Head of Marketing at Spectrum Pet Brands (UK & Ireland), comments: “Discover Dogs is more than just a pet show; it celebrates a huge number of breeds allowing visitors to discover which one is the most suited to their lifestyle, whilst educating on responsible pet ownership by offering expert guidance on the best way to take care of them.
“At Eukanuba, we encourage owners to bring out the extraordinary in their dogs by providing them with super premium nutrition and appropriate care, and as such, we’re thrilled to be exhibiting.”
Eukanuba will be present in Hall S11-19 Stand TS100. Visitors who purchase Eukanuba on the stand can enjoy a £5 off voucher to be used in store* on 2.5kg bags and above alongside a £5 off voucher for a FURminator deShedding tool.
In addition, they can test their agility skills on Eukanuba’s interactive game for the chance to win three months of food. Free Eukanuba goody bags are also available with every Discover Dogs show guide purchased at the entrance.
*all stores stocking Eukanuba 2.5kg+ bags
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Christmas is coming and it won’t be long before consumers are looking for something special for their family pets as a seasonal treat.
ORIJEN freeze-dried treats for dogs and cats are the perfect solution. Not only are they highly palatable and dogs and cats absolutely love them but they are also claimed to be the healthiest treats on earth! They’re 100% fresh meat and 100% natural.
Just like raw, ORIJEN freeze-dried treats are prepared without cooking so nothing is lost to heat or processing, and the natural goodness of the fresh regional ingredients are fully retained.
Available as formula matched treats; ORIJEN Original, Tundra, Regional Red, and single source protein treats; Black Angus Beef, Alberta Bison, Ranch-Raised Lamb, Free-Run Duck and Wild Boar for dogs in 56.7g bags SRP £5.99. Available in ORIJEN Original, Tundra, Regional Red, Alberta Lamb and Wild Boar for cats in 35g bags, SRP £4.49.
Bern Pet Foods are the exclusive importers & distributors of ORIJEN & ACANA dog and cat foods and treats. For trade enquiries, please telephone 01737 767679 or email sales@bernpetfoods.co.uk.
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Elanco Animal Health is encouraging Facebook users to temporarily change their profile pictures to show their support for Dogs for Good and help raise funds for the inspirational charity.
For every ‘Proud to support Dogs for Good’ profile picture changed and tagged with @PetMagicMoments and #dogsaregood, Elanco will donate £1 to the charity that trains dogs to give life-changing assistance to people with disabilities.
The company is hoping to raise up to £5,000 for its long-term charity partner through the Pet Magic Moments - https://www.facebook.com/PetMagicMoments/ - Facebook picture initiative, with an overall aim of raising in excess of £15,000 in total for Dogs for Good to support the training of three assistance dogs. The Elanco team will raise additional money through fundraising activities and employees will also be encouraged to carry out voluntary work to support Dogs for Good in the three days a year they are given to volunteer for worthwhile charities.
“Our Dogs for Good Facebook picture initiative will help highlight the profile of this wonderful and inspiring charity, while raising funds to support the training of an assistance dog,” comments Matthew Rowe, marketing manager at Elanco Animal Health.
Dogs for Good (the new name for Dogs for the Disabled) is an innovative charity, exploring ways dogs can help people overcome specific challenges and enrich and improve lives and communities.
Its assistance dogs support adults and children with a range of disabilities and also children with autism. It trains activity and therapy dogs to work with specialist handlers in communities and schools and its Family Dog team also gives specialist advice and support to help people get the most out of their relationship with their pet dog.
For further information about the charity please visit www.dogsforgood.org or call on 01295 252600.
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Pet retailers have an easy way to combat ‘Stage Fright’
Pet product retailers are among the 1.8 million businesses that need to establish and enrol their employees on to a Workplace Pension scheme by 2018, to avoid heavy fines, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Some may need to act even faster...
Pet product retailers are among the 1.8 million businesses that need to establish and enrol their employees on to a Workplace Pension scheme by 2018, to avoid heavy fines, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Some may need to act even faster.
Ahead of Halloween 2016, FSB has identified what it’s calling ‘stage fright’ – a fear of finding out what the deadline (staging date) for your business to set up its Workplace Pension scheme is.
Some of its members, UK-wide, have also admitted to being “scared to death” before watching an FSB advice webinar on this piece of legislation and say their nerves have settled down once they’ve realised they can meet their legal obligations by joining the hassle-free and quick-to-set-up FSB Workplace Pensions scheme.
FSB Workplace Pensions is one of the exclusive range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government that FSB membership offers to UK SMEs.
The cost of membership starts at just 0.44 pence per day and a business employing 21-30 employees pays a maximum of just over £1 per day. For that, you can access a host of benefits on top of joining the FSB Workplace Pension Scheme, including FSB charge-free Business Banking and FSB Tax Investigation Protection. There are also vibrant networking events and an informative member magazine to guide you on a wide range of business issues.
If you’re nervously wondering what to do about your business’s Workplace Pension, or haven’t a clue, this could be your answer. Go to www.fsb.org.uk/benefits or www.fsbpensionservices.co.uk to find out more.
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Tetra has launched an innovative new mobile app to help potential fishkeepers envisage how an aquarium might look in their home.
The 3D app which is integrated within Tetra’s Aquatics app illustrates various Tetra aquariums allowing users to choose a tank which is the right size, shape, and colour for any room. Tetra hopes the launch will encourage more consumers to take up the fishkeeping hobby by making it easier for them to visualise how an aquarium might fit into their lifestyle.
By placing the place marker provided in the chosen room, the app virtually creates Tetra aquariums on the user’s device allowing them to quickly and easily select from Tetra’s range of tanks including its children’s themed Peppa Pig aquarium, the stylishly designed Cascade Globe, and the Starter Line 54L which is perfect for beginners. Once the desired aquarium has been selected, users are provided with details of their local store allowing them to make a purchase.
Giuliano Buccino, Head of Marketing at Tetra comments: “Choosing the right aquarium for your home can feel daunting, especially as it can be difficult to predict exactly how it will look once it’s fitted.
"At Tetra, we’re passionate about making fishkeeping even easier than before and welcome new people to the hobby which is why we have developed this innovative new app to allow potential fishkeepers to feel happy and confident when it comes to purchasing an aquarium.”
After joining the fishkeeping hobby, the Tetra Aquatics app can be used to help with ongoing maintenance offering a quick and simple way to test the most important water parameters within the tank for ultimate fish wellbeing and happiness.
To download the app please go to Google Play or the App Store and search Tetra Aquatics. For more information about Tetra visit http://www.tetra.net/en
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Pets at Home has partnered with Amplience to improve its online customer experience and target like-for-like growth.
The pet specialist, which launched its first transactional website in 2008, has joined up with Big Content Cloud provider Amplience to bolster its online content.
The website advancements, which include enhanced visual imagery and more dynamic media, form part of the retailer’s strategy of delivering “seamless shopping”.
This involves presenting its customers with a common experience of Pets at Home “however, wherever and whenever” they choose to shop – be it in-store or online, for home delivery or collection from store.
The Big Content Cloud platform will also enable the retailer to keep current content up to date and produce new content without the need for developer work.
A Pets at Home spokesman said: “Delivering results from our seamless shopping strategy is a key element in expanding like-for-like growth.
“The investment we are making with Amplience is an example of changes we are making to improve our customer experience online, and it will also allow us to share our friendly expertise across multiple channels and locations.”
Amplience chief executive James Brooke said: “Rich and engaging content is one of the key drivers in online sales today.
“The importance of sophisticated dynamic media in cementing a brand’s online presence is crucial, especially in the crowded ecommerce landscape.”
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