In This Issue
Sales grow for ‘natural pet store’ that refuses to stock food from major suppliers
Cat intrusions are still a big problem, says new research
Turnover grows at Cambrian Pet Foods
PATS Harrogate is set to be the largest ever
Pet care suppliers encouraged to enter GIMA Awards
One of the world’s best loved filters gets a makeover
KONG to launch new toy at Zoomark
52 pets rescued from Plymouth house fire
Supreme satisfies the demand for rabbit treats
Dragons' Den star helps young couple to open 'unique' pet shop
Pet Industry Federation announces seminar dates
Increasing number of families want to keep chickens
Getting ready to stock koi carp
Organic show success for Lily's Kitchen
Dorwest offer retailers fantastic deals on skin products
Ex-Hozelock MD is new Gardman sales chief
REACH A WIDER AUDIENCE
Here's how Pet Trade Xtra can help you...
Each week Pet Trade Xtra is sent out to 8,017 subscribers, made up of 4,011 pet retailers and suppliers, 3,528 garden centres and 478 vets.
Instant access to news
A growing number of Pet Trade Xtra subscribers (22%) are accessing the newsletter via a mobile device, like a smart phone or tablet. But computers are still the prefered option with 78% reading the breaking news this way.
Taking their time...
The average time spent reading Pet Trade Xtra is over three minutes, and the average number of stories read each week is also three.
CONTACT US NOW
Find out how Pet Trade Xtra can help to promote your business and products. Contact neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk
for all editorial matters or pat.flynn@tgcmc.co.uk to discuss advertising and sponsorship opportunities.

Sales grow for ‘natural pet store’ that refuses to stock food from major suppliers


Scampers in Cambridgeshire took the bold decision to remodel its business as a ‘natural pet store’, choosing not to stock products from the major pet food suppliers. As a result sales have increased by 5% in the current financial year. Director Piers Smart explains why he chose to go down this route…

 “A few years ago I walked into the store and, for the first time, began to question the effect that the big brands were having on our store display. It just looked like any Aldi or Netto superstore with hundreds of special offers and POS, which was turning our customers into promotion hoppers.

“In addition, I began to question the quality of the corporate pet foods and the lower quality meat content. Our own dogs were not looking well so I realised that things had to change and change quickly.

“Today, we are looking for independent, non-corporate suppliers of products high in meat content that have been wrapped in honest packaging that clearly displays the ingredients without making ridiculous marketing claims.

“Corporate companies have been disengaged from Scampers. Our primary focus is now on biologically appropriate pet foods with an emphasis on Biologically Appropriate Real/Raw Food (BARF).

“Our profitability is being maintained, and our workload has been slashed by not having to deal with the corporates’ continuous demands for promotions and meetings about meetings about meetings!

“We have much smaller regular deliveries that are much more easily handled.

"Just as importantly, we are not continually tied up chasing credits from the independents to return money due for running offers, whereas it was a continual battle with the corporates. In the current financial year our sales have increased by 5% and our margins by more than 2%. Our employees are motivated and our customers are happy.

“Our award-winning natural pet superstore has the UK’s largest and best selection of totally natural, BARF and high meat content ranges.

“Brands such as Acana, Almo Nature, Canagan, Lily’s Kitchen, MORE, Natures Menu, Orijen, Gentle, Symply, Taste of the Wild, Nose-2-Tail, Ziwi Peak and Markus Muehle bring massive health benefits to your dogs and cats. All these companies live or die on the quality of their products, not because they have mega marketing budgets.”

The full interview with Piers can be found in the latest issue of Pets International

Newsletter Marketing Powered by Newsweaver