With summer in full swing, pond keepers can spend more time outside enjoying their hobby, making it the perfect season for encouraging sales of pond products in store.

Tetra offers a large range of pond products to help make the pond keeping experience easy and enjoyable whilst keeping fish, plants and wildlife happy and healthy. Clearly displaying pond products in-store over the warmer weather can be a quick, easy and effective way to generate additional sales.

Here are three main areas where Tetra Pond products can ensure maximum results for your customers:

1. Caring for the water

The first thing in maintaining a healthy pond is healthy water. TetraPond AquaSafe turns harmful tap water into water that is perfect for ponds by neutralising chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals. AquaSafe should be used whenever new water is added to the pond to ensure pond life is always kept in a healthy environment. TetraPond Crystal Water effectively removes dirt particles to improve visibility in the pond by binding cloudiness caused by clay particles or soil.

2. Tackling algae

Rising summer temperatures mean that algae can become an increasing problem. For long term algae control, use TetraPond AlgoFin. AlgoFin is one of a few products which has a direct impact on blanketweed and has been independently tested and approved by the Health and Safety Executive for use. Additionally, TetraPond AlgoRem is an effective cure for green water. It works by grouping together clumps of suspended algae for easy removal from the pond.

 3. Fish food

Ensuring that fish get a good quality diet is the most important element for health and wellbeing.  Not only does TetraPond Food provide the nutrition that fish need, but it is also efficiently digested, leading to less waste production and therefore helping to maintain a high quality of pond water.

Providing the best products to satisfy these areas will help ensure your customers will have a clean, clear and healthy pond this summer – making them return to your store again and again each season.

For more information about any products in the TetraPond range, please visit www.tetra.net or email info@tetra-fish.co.uk

An ambitious scheme to make the pet trade more ethical in its approach has been met with scepticism by key players in the industry. That's the claim of Philippa Robinson, director of the recently formed Ethical Pet Industry Federation...

Since launching EPIC in April this year, Philippa has had a number of fact-finding meetings and conversations with organisations across the pet industry. Here are her findings...

"What is immediately apparent from those discussions is the high level of anxiety over ethics in the trade. In fact I would go as far to say that some key players in the industry fear the pet trade’s business models are incompatible with an ethical approach, full stop. This concerns them greatly.

"The strength of feeling on this is such that I now conclude the development of more solid ethical foundations for the industry is going to take a lot longer and be far more problematic than I had first hoped.

"However, I remain convinced the prize for navigating waters, even as difficult as these, is invaluable, both in terms of business benefit and, more importantly, animal welfare.

"EPIC is not about re-cycled packaging, living wages, or greener energy suppliers. Though, all those dimensions are integral to an ethical approach. For EPIC the ethical reality is more fundamental than even those important considerations. The ethical responsibilities falling on the pet trade run far deeper than they do in other sectors.

"This is an industry built on transactions that involve sentient creatures. Creatures that are entirely reliant on people for all their welfare needs. This sets the pet trade apart from all the rest. To some those distinct responsibilities present a burden, to EPIC they represent a privileged opportunity.

"My engagement with the industry thus far, has also revealed some good news. Many inside it understand the full extent of our ethical responsibilities and are eager for transformational change. But most don’t know where to start. I propose the industry must start its ethical journey with one thing and one thing only, the pet animals themselves. For that reason I am proposing 5 simple guiding principles for an ethical pet industry that places animal welfare at its heart.

"These are:

1. Not taking any animal from the wild for any reason whatsoever. There is simply no justification for such activity.
2. Promoting only those species whose welfare needs and best interests can be quantifiably served by being kept as a pet in a domestic situation.
3. Being proactively open to animal welfare science and readily adapting business practices in the light of new scientific insight.
4. Work only with short and fully transparent supply chains for every species involved. Ideally the animal should be bred by a high welfare breeder who supplies directly to highly knowledgeable owners diligent in their duty of care, with NO intervening third party stages. The arguments for third party sales are so weak as to be risible.
5. The cornerstone of the industry’s contribution to social responsibility should be (and borrowing heavily from Robert Reich in Supercapitalism) to keep out of animal welfare politics altogether.

  

"The fifth principle will be shunned by most agents in the industry. On matters of animal welfare our society must be guided and led by science, data, fact and inquiry. The science should inform our welfare policies and laws, not the vested interests of shareholders. Perhaps that should be principle number one. If it is a principle too far for commerce then at the very least large corporates should pledge to be transparent about their political activities and lobbying.

"I sympathise with those who fear an ethical business model in the pet trade may not be as lucrative as the current non-ethical approach. But my recent conversations revealed an industry reluctant to even put ethics on the agenda. I have no issue with a trade exploiting the joy, pleasure and benefits of pet ownership, it forms an important strand to our lives. But I do take issue with a trade whose dominant perspective is that of the monetisation of pets above other considerations.

"The trade owes it to all the animals who never ask to be kept as pets, but so stoically and obligingly go along with it, to put the animals’ best interests first. To that end my big plea to the trade is this:  be cautious about signing up to EPIC’s guiding principles by all means, but please don’t shy away from debating and exploring them with us."

To support this important debate or to get in touch with EPIC here http://www.ethicalpettrade.co.uk/

Pets Corner has been providing the nation with pet supplies since 1968, and it is now excited to be opening a new store on 178 Main Road, Biggin Hill.

On Saturday 11^th July 2015 the doors of the brand new Biggin Hill store will open to the public for the first time.

The Biggin Hill store is the 97th Pets Corner store to open and later this year a milestone will be reached as the national brand opens their 100th store. Pets Corner stores are different to other pet stores in the UK. As a family run business the company’s focus is on providing the best possible advice to help customers care for their much loved animal family members through knowledgeable, friendly staff, quality products that last and the best animal welfare in the industry.

As well as stocking an extensive range of naturally sourced, quality products for a range of furry, feathered and scaly companions, Pets Corner cares about the way their animals are bred and looked after in the store. They also care about who takes home their animals, carefully interviewing each potential new owner.

Philippa Taylor, Store Manager, said: “Having grown from a small corner pet shop, Pets Corner, an independent family enterprise, has rapidly expanded over the years and has become one of the leading ethical pet businesses in the UK.

“It’s really exciting to be opening the new Pets Corner store in Biggin Hill. My staff and I, having undergone extensive training in animal husbandry, pet behaviour, animal treatment and medicine and nutrition, are raring to go and looking forward to advising the local community on all their pet issues and day to day questions.”

The rise of Group55, the company behind brands including Animology and Strikeback, is showing no signs of slowing down. With its half-year trading up more than 40% (like for like) against the first half of 2014 it is apparent that the company's investment in marketing is continuing to deliver growth.

Managing director Stephen Turner explained: “Growth has predominantly been delivered through sales of existing lines through increased consumer demand in existing territories and the successful introduction of the same products into new overseas markets.”

The Group55 marketing machine has never been so active. Its social media interaction with pet owners continues to drive demand  – its Facebook engagement, for example, is consistently the highest of any pet grooming brand in the world. The marketing team has grown in number and they are clocking up the miles as they take their multi-award winning Animology pet care brand “on tour”, attending a record number of shows and events for the company.

By the end of 2015, the Group55 team will have covered over 17,500 miles, attending trade and public shows both at home and abroad. The public shows provide a platform that allows Group55 to engage with and recruit new customers, who after using Animology for the first time, look to make a repeat purchase at their local store.

Group55’s Sales and Marketing Co-ordinator, Shaun Warrington, explains: “Taking our Animology brand on the road has allowed us to put our products into the hands of a large number of pet owners, some of whom may not have used Animology products before. Our presence at these shows has proven to be an invaluable and effective marketing tool that has increased brand awareness and generated greater demand for our products.”

Keeping the momentum of growth is the next challenge for Group55 and with new products and new brands scheduled for launch over the next 18 months there is much to look out for from the Lancashire based manufacturer.  As Stephen assures us: “Our customers, the retailers who stock our products, rely on us to drive demand for our products and deliver a product portfolio that is current and sells. As the company continues to grow we are committed to investing even more in our face to face and social media marketing strategies that deliver growth for us and our trade partners.”

Visitors to the biggest ever PATS show at the Telford International Centre on September 27-28 are being encouraged to mix business with pleasure during their trip to the UK’s No 1 pet trade exhibition.

PATS Telford opens on a Sunday and with so many attractions in and around the Shropshire town, it’s an ideal opportunity for retailers and buyers to get away for the weekend.

“The timing and location of PATS Telford is perfect for a combining a trip to the UK’s No 1 pet trade exhibition with a spot of relaxation and some sightseeing,” said organiser Annie Foord.

“By making a weekend of their trip, visitors can take in some of the wonderful sights of the town and surrounding area on the Saturday, stay overnight in one of the town’s many hotels and then visit the show on the Sunday.”

Southwater Event Group, owners of Telford International Centre, have developed the complex into one of the country’s major exhibition locations.

Tom Gray, chief executive of Southwater Event Group, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming PATS to The International Centre in September and we’re sure visitors will find the venue a welcome home for the show. 

“With stately homes, museums and more close by, anyone looking to extend their visit and explore our destination will not be disappointed. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Ironbridge is only a short drive away and offers a whole host of museums charting the industrial revolution. Or for those looking for more active pursuits, the stunning Shropshire Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty, are a walkers’ paradise. 

“The combination of a modern Telford town with all its leisure amenities and supporting infrastructure set amongst a heritage Shropshire county backdrop is a tourist delight to discover.”

There is a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets in and around the venue, and good road and rail networks make travelling to and from the event easy.

With England’s two largest international airports (outside of London) ideally situated for Telford – Birmingham with 110 daily arrivals and Manchester with almost 200 – PATS Telford is also seen as a great opportunity to attract more international visitors.

More than 180 companies have already confirmed they will be exhibiting on Sunday and Monday, September 27-28, with the show on the verge of becoming a ‘sell-out’.

Many UK suppliers have taken the opportunity to increase their stand space to showcase more products than ever before, and a growing number of international companies will be exhibiting at the event.

As well as seeing an unrivalled array of new pet products and speaking to top suppliers and manufacturers, visitors will also be able to witness demonstrations from the country’s leading dog groomers and listen to talks from prominent industry figures.

Parking is free at the Telford International Centre, and everyone will receive free tea and coffee, and a free show catalogue. Visitors will also be able to relax and chat further with exhibitors at a free drinks reception once the show closes on Day One.

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.

Here are case studies on four New Products Award winners, who reveal how they have benefitted from their success at PATS Sandown in March.

Case Study No 1: Collarways – Winner of Dog Accessory Product with Zogoflex Toppl, PATS Sandown 2015

How did you react to winning a New Product Award at PATS Sandown in March?  We were very pleased that West Paw Design's Toppl treat toy won the Dog Accessory Product. There was a high standard of entries but we were confident in entering the new toy as we, and all of our dogs, know it’s great product.

Has the award helped your business?  Winning the award had an instant impact for both the winning product and for interest in Collarways. We were incredibly busy at the show and have seen a great increase in sales and interest in the brand as a result.

How have you used the win to promote the product?  The press coverage after PATS Sandown has been good and we are still reaping the benefits from publishing our own press release. We use the graphic supplied by PATS, stating that we are a winner, on our website and in our marketing material. We proudly display our winning plaque in our showroom.

Will you enter the New Product Showcase at PATS Telford?  We will definitely be entering some of our new products for PATS Telford, but at the moment they are a closely guarded secret. One of our ‘problems’ is that we represent so many great brands so selecting the accessory products that we feel are the best can be a tough job.

Case Study No 2: Group 55 – Winner of Grooming Product with Animology Mane Tamed, PATS Sandown 2015

How did you react to winning a New Product Award at PATS Sandown in March?  There is always a great sense of achievement when a product that you work so hard to get right, is recognised for its quality. There is some really impressive product development within the UK pet market and we know the products are put through a tough judging process and we also know the quality of the other products in the category, so to come out on top was a great feeling.

Has the award helped your business?  Our new product development programme is extremely thorough so before any product launch we are always confident that the product delivers advancements within its particular category; we avoid ‘me too’ products. Winning a new product award at PATS signifies recognition from industry experts which adds further credibility to the products and the business as a whole. This in turn gives our customers complete faith in the product both domestically and throughout our network of international distributors.

 How have you used the win to promote the product?  From the moment the product won, we were proud to be displaying the award on our trade stand at PATS Sandown. The week following PATS, we launched press releases to trade and consumer magazines around the world. We also secured editorial space in the two main equine trade magazines, and having won the award, there was no better way to launch the product to the trade. We also include the award on all point of sale and promotional material that we send out to customers, as well as making our Animologists aware of the achievement through our website and social media sites.

Will you enter the New Product Showcase at PATS Telford?  Our investment in new product development has never been greater and we are now working more than 18 months in advance of product launch. So, yes. Not only do we have new products and brands to launch at PATS Telford, but we already have products scheduled for launch at both Sandown and Telford in 2016. We will of course be entering them into the New Product Showcase.

Case Study No 3: Marriages Specialist Foods – Winner of Bird Product with ‘Carry Home’ Poultry Range, PATS Sandown 2015

How did you react to winning a New Product Award at PATS Sandown in March? It was a great feeling. We had worked so hard on the 7.5kg carry home bags, to have a range that would work for the consumer, who only had a few birds in their garden and also for the retailer to have striking packaging that looked great on shelf selling itself. It meant so much to us as a company that the judges, having a retail background, picked our product for the reasons we were striving for.  

Has the award helped your business? It is the perfect selling tool for marketing whether advertising or as a sales rep going into a call. It is always a great talking point when you have an award-winning product to be proud of. Marriages prides itself on being innovative and offering quality and value, meaning more sales and profits for our retailers.

How have you used the win to promote the product?  Our advertising campaign post PATS was designed around the award. We’re working on an advert now that carries both our PATS awards. I feel it gives retailers a confidence when dealing with an award winning company.

Will you enter the New Product Showcase at PATS Telford?  We wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.

Case Study No 4: Cambrian Petfoods – Winner of Dog Food and Treats with Gelert Country Choice Dog Trays, PATS Sandown 2015

How did you react to winning a New Product Award at PATS Sandown in March? We were delighted with our award for Best New Dog Food product at the PATS Sandown show. It was the perfect result following months of hard work by the product development team. 

Has the award helped your business?  The award has been a fantastic platform from which to accelerate distribution and sales of the new Gelert Country Choice range within the specialist pet trade, and regularly features in “what to stock” features in trade publications. Country Choice sales are going from strength to strength, and we look forward to another successful PATS show in Telford in September.

Will you enter the New Product Showcase at PATS Telford?  Nothing to reveal just yet.

Re-launched Mikki range brings with it new designs, packaging and guidance to help customers find the products perfect for them and keep them coming back.

Mikki are releasing an invigorated set of grooming products with added support to guide new consumers, supported by in-store promotion including 12 FREE Mikki Bath Brushes.

Mikki have been working tirelessly to develop and improve their grooming range to cater to more consumer needs and make the process of finding the products they need far more simple. The new Flexi-head is a major innovation which is integrated into Mikki Slickers, Brushes and Rakes. Rather than a traditional design the Flexi-head has greater flexibility making the grooming experience more comfortable for owner and pet alike. The products also include a larger and more ergonomic handle, better than ever before.

Every product comes with the backing of online support to make sure consumers get the most out of their purchase. QR codes and website details are now included on all packs which take consumers through to a hub of additional knowledge including: articles, images and ultimately video.

To go with the new range we are releasing an updated Spinner Stand with new POS to support the range and offer a promotion to your consumers. The deal includes a select range of products across the whole grooming range (over 40 products) as well as 12 FREE Mikki Bath Brushes to be given away with purchase of ANY Mikki Flexi-Head product. The integrated POS highlights the deal and can be reversed when the free stock is no longer available to highlight the benefits of the Flexi-Head design.

Additional side bars for the spinner stands, with colour coding, highlight the different elements of the range making it easy to guide your customers to right products for their needs.

For further information on the Mikki range and spinner stand deal contact: sales@interpet.co.uk or your local area sales manager.

 

Pooch & Mutt were recently chosen by Microsoft to highlight the advantages of successful small business in the UK.

The naturally powered pet health company was the main focus of Microsoft’s short video which showed viewers a typical day in Pooch & Mutt’s South London office. The video included shots of the team visiting an independent groomer and pet shop, international business calls and customer queries for the growing business.

Microsoft highlighted the importance of social media for small business, as the video showed Pooch & Mutt easily communicating with customers through different social media platforms. The importance of customer satisfaction and working efficiently were major themes in the video, as the Pooch & Mutt team were seen constantly on the go speaking to customers and clients.

The Pooch & Mutt team were also seen taking photos while out of the office to post to social media. The video also focused on the importance of information technology for growing business in the UK.

Microsoft identified being mobile and able to respond while on the go is a key aspect for any small business as constant communication is important. With an ever developing export market, Microsoft documented Pooch & Mutt’s success both in the UK and abroad. With 100% year on year growth for the past two years, it is no wonder Microsoft decided to feature the growing company.

Please find the link to the video: http://bit.ly/1fnjtqS

Animal-loving kids are encouraged to capture photos of their favourite pets and great British wildlife this summer, as PDSA launches its 2015 photo competition.

Running with the theme ‘amazing animals’ youngsters are being asked to submit their own photos to one of three age categories: under 10s, 10-13 or 14-16-year-olds.

From awesome ants and daring dogs, to cosy cats, huggable hamsters and delightful donkeys, PDSA wants to see the best snaps of the animal kingdom.

The competition is free to enter – each child’s best photo should be emailed to petprotectors@pdsa.org.uk with ‘Pet Photo Competition 2015’ in the subject, along with their full name and date of birth in the email. The closing date is 11 September 2015.Kids who are already members of PDSA’s kids’ club – Pet Protectors – should also include their membership number to receive their points.

The winner of each age category will receive an Action Video Camera with underwater case and a copy of the 2016 calendar, which is made up of the best 12 photos submitted to the competition. The overall winner across all categories will also receive a behind-the-scenes tour of one of PDSA’s Pet Hospitals, and a professional photo shoot with their pet.

Last year’s competition was won by eight-year-old Evie Connors, who said: “I was overwhelmed and proud that my photo of Millie made it onto the front of PDSA’s Christmas card!”

Evie has shared her top tips for snapping the best photos:

• Always have your camera nearby so you can catch your pet being funny or cute
• Practise using your camera so you know what it can do
• Make sure the light is good
• Take loads of pictures so you can choose the best one

PDSA’s Education Officer Jenna Small said: “We’re looking for incredible photos of all creatures great and small, so if your pet loves posing or you’re planning a visit to a safari park this summer, remember to keep your camera handy!

“Remember though, not to dress your pets up, it may look funny to us but it can make them nervous and uncomfortable. Why not capture them showing off a skill or playing ball with their best friend instead?”

For more information, plus terms and conditions, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/photocomp

A new guide to help people sell fish responsibly online and transport them correctly to customers has been created by the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association.

The Guide to the responsible distance selling of livestock was written in response to growing concern about the way live fish are being sold online and transported to customers.

“We firmly believe that bricks and mortar shops are the best place for people to buy fish. By offering customers the opportunity to watch and enjoy the beauty of live fish swimming around, we believe shops help to inspire and captivate people to become the next generation of fish-keepers. We do not believe that online-only shops are able to do this in quite the same way,” said OATA Chief Executive Keith Davenport.

“But we also have to acknowledge that consumer habits are changing. Internet sales are here to stay and more people are buying live fish online. For some people living in more remote parts of the UK, travelling to their nearest aquatics shop may mean a very long trip so they turn to online shops to enable them to pursue their hobby.

“So we’ve produced a guide to the responsible selling of livestock online to help improve fish welfare and raise awareness and standards among both sellers and customers about the best way to buy and move fish.

“It gives advice on a range of issues from sales to packing and transporting fish. Our guide outlines the law on distance selling and also makes clear our expectations of what a responsible seller – whether business or private – should be doing when they sell fish and arrange delivery to customers. By knowing the standards that a responsible seller should be working to, we also think it will help customers to decide who the best people are to buy fish from online.”

Key points within the guide include:

• Sales information should comply with Pet Advertising Advisory Group standards.
• The seller can demonstrate they have satisfied themselves about the set-up into which the fish etc will be introduced and that it will not compromise the health of the fish.
• Advice on the proper packing and shipping of live fish to ensure their welfare as they are transported.  
• Fish should never be sent through the Royal Mail and only approved couriers must be used.
• A firm date and time for delivery must be in place for the customer to take delivery in person of the fish when it arrives.
• Good after-care information should be included.

OATA has also created two leaflets aimed at customers buying fish and shops which sell fish to help consumers understand the issues of buying fish online. All documents, including the guide, can be found on OATA’s website here http://www.ornamentalfish.org/guide-to-selling-fish-online.

Pets Corner is supporting charity Harvey’s Army following its recent involvement with popular prime time ITV show Surprise Surprise hosted by Holly Willoughby.

Harvey’s Army is a charity set up and run by Nina and Karen Blackburn, which helps to reunite lost pets with their owners.  

After being involved in a hunt for a lost poodle, Harvey, who was found run over on a motorway, Nina and Karen felt overwhelmed to take action and started an online petition to change the way the Highways Agency deals with animals hit by vehicles.

The petition gained over 120,000 signatures and led to a House of Commons debate and the passing of ‘Harvey’s Law’ making it compulsory for the Highways Agency to scan the microchip of any found dog, dead or alive, so the owners can be informed immediately.

Harvey’s Army now has a 100-strong team of volunteers who cover the whole of the UK. Nina, Karen and their ‘army’ work determinedly to find lost pets and reunite them with owners through any means possible.

Nina and Karen recently received the surprise of their lives when they were featured on ITV’s Surprise Surprise. The show that aired on Sunday 5^th July at 8pm saw shocked Nina and Karen receive 100 microchip scanners, vital for finding owner information from lost pets, the opportunity to build a new smart phone app for their charity and £2,000 of products from Pets Corner to help look after the animals they rescue.

Dean Richmond, Managing Director of Pets Corner, commented: “Harvey’s Army does such an amazing job. I know first-hand that losing a pet is heart-breaking as several years ago I lost my dog and even though it was only for a matter of hours it was the worst six hours of my life. We are very proud to be supporting this great cause and hope that our donation provides some comfort to the pets missing their owners.”

Nina and Karen added: “We were amazed to be featured on ITV’s Surprise Surprise and we’re really humbled to have been chosen. We would like to say thank you to Pets Corner for the amazing donation, they will make a huge difference to our work.”

Recruitment specialist Lynda Ward, owner of Pet Trade Solutions, says that a fresh approach for supporting traditional retailers is needed...

Lynda, who utilises her 30 years’ experience in the trade for dedicated recruitment and marketing solutions, says: “Feedback from ‘bricks and mortar’ retailers is that the trade organisations do a great job but manufacturers need to do more to help them to survive in the ever-increasing battle for custom with purely online suppliers.

"The general feeling emanating from many retailers is that they are too often used as an information hub by consumers who then turn tail and buy the goods online.

"The more pro-active retailers – especially those whose space allows – are fighting the fight in a number of ways to make the whole ‘pet shop experience’ more attractive than simply clicking a button, but feel that the owners of the brands they carry could and should help.”

Lynda goes on: “My own view is that over recent years manufacturers have been having a particularly tough time and cannot be blamed for expanding (or even just holding sales level) by exploring all distribution avenues, and each avenue definitely does have its place, however some companies could be more vigilant in keeping a fair and level playing field - particularly on price. 

"Additionally traditional pet shops are the heartbeat of the pet trade and without them the manufacturers would be putting themselves at risk of a self-destructive spiral of depleting their customer base and so exposing themselves to excessive price demands.”

So what is the answer? 

Lynda says: “First listen to the retailers, ask them what they feel would increase footfall (and spend!) in their own particular shop and then work with them towards a goal.  Ask the staff as well as the owner – they are sometimes bursting with good ideas but afraid to voice an opinion.  Review regularly and if some things don’t work, try others.

The brand owners who genuinely try to help their customers are the ones who will gain loyalty and increased revenue and by helping those retailers to survive the brands become stronger and retain a good spread of custom instead of promoting a shrinking customer base.”  

Lynda is always happy to personally advise on any aspects of recruitment and marketing strategy and can be contacted on 07946 743784 or at lyndaward@pettradesolutions.com

This summer sees the launch of Meadow Menu, a new range of main diets by Rosewood Pet Products under the popular 'Naturals' brand. 

This collection of products for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus offers retailers and pet owners a great quality small animal food which is both different and better than other foods currently available in the market. 

Both the range, and sales, of the Naturals small animal treats has grown significantly over the past 9 years and the brand now has a large and loyal following. Rosewood is now proud to put the Naturals brand name against a great quality food which the company are confident will address the concerns of small animal experts and owners who are increasingly concerned about obesity and poor digestive and dental health in rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus. It’s generally accepted that the best and simplest way to address all these concerns is by improving the pet’s diets.

Meadow Menu diets:

• use over 40 natural and grain free ingredients designed to promote good digestive and overall health
• are blended into Quad-shaped pellets, loaded with fibre-rich grasses, which are designed to wear growing teeth and stop selective feeding
• contain no GM or added salt, sugar or sugar-rich ingredients, and are 100% vegetarian
• are cold pressed to retain more of their nutrients and encourage the pet’s digestive system to work as it was designed to

Being grain free means Rosewood can pack more healthy and nutritious ingredients into the food and this variety means the food contains a rich assortment of phytochemicals (plant based micro nutrients) such as flavonoids and antioxidants. Grains are cheap sources of energy and rich in starch and pets can gorge on these types of food and ignore grasses and hays which are lower in starch and protein and rich in fibre. This can then increase the risk of obesity, poor digestive health and poor dental health.

Meadow Menu comes packaged in attractive and informative colour boxes which still fit with the Naturals brand yet are clearly differentiated from the brands treats and hay. There are two sizes available; a 2kg box (recommended retail prices start from £6.99) and a 9kg trade pack which is perfect for retailers with livestock. To support the launch of this fantastic new range, retailers can also order a stand deal which contains the full range of the 2kg boxes of Meadow Menu, Naturals Meadow Hay Cookies, a wooden display stand (FOC) and a reversible stand header (FOC).

 Retailers can contact Rosewood Pet Products on 01952 883408 for more details or go online at www.rosewoodpet.com

 

Blooming Pet Products has introduced two new shampoos to its range: Lavender Shampoo and Neem Shampoo.

Lavender Shampoo for dogs is a gentle yet effective shampoo that’s a stunning lavender colour and is made using natural lavender oil that’ll leave the dog smelling fresh and clean. Not only will this shampoo give the dog a shiny coat, the natural essential oil it contains is known for its relaxing properties and also helps to repel fleas and other biting insects.

Neem Shampoo can be used on dogs and cats and contains neem extract, which comes from the seeds of the neem tree that grows in India. The shampoo will help to clean and revitalise the animal’s coat as it moisturises and protects the skin.

“New Neem and Lavender Shampoos join our range, just in time for summer,” says David Willey from Blooming Pet Products.

“It’s important to use appropriate shampoos when washing pets, especially those with sensitive skin, so we’ve added to our shampoo range to ensure that there’s something for a range of coat types. The Lavender Shampoo has a fresh fragrance that also helps to repel fleas and other biting insects, whereas the Neem Shampoo protects and moisturises skin as it cleans. The other shampoo in our range is Tea Tree Shampoo, which cleanses the coat and is of particular benefit to dogs with dry, out of condition coats. It also has antifungal and antiseptic properties.”

Both Lavender Shampoo and Neem Shampoo are available in 250ml bottles that have a RRP of £4.25.

For more information see www.bloomingpets.com or call 01548 531835.

Pooch & Mutt and Shaken Udder Milkshakes are pleased to announce Moses as the winner of the UK's Best Office Dog competition.

Moses helps with the day to day chores at The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, and keeps all the team happy and motivated.

The very studious looking Moses will be awarded with some fantastic Pooch & Mutt prizes, but it's not just Moses who will be getting treated. His owner Sarah will also win some delicious Shaken Udder Milkshakes to celebrate!

Well done Moses... now get back to work!

Dos and don’ts for small shops to mark Independent Retailer Month

A leading retail expert has outlined his ‘dos and don’ts’ for small businesses as part of Independent Retailer Month. Professor Heiner Evanschitzky, Professor and Chair of Marketing at Aston Business School, says that now is the perfect time for small businesses to make the most of their adaptability and local knowledge.

Professor Evanschitzky says that independent retailers should:

1. Utilise their local knowledge: “Instead of using big data like their supermarket rivals, small businesses know their customers and community inside out, so can provide the products and services they know they want.”
2. Focus on customer service: “Independent retailers give customers the feeling of being understood and looked after,” Professor Evanschitzky says. “Smaller businesses often know their customers by name and may see them almost every day. Customers trust people more than companies. Build your relationships to offer a personalised service that just can’t be found elsewhere.”
3. Be flexible: “You have fewer restrictions in terms of assortment and pricing compared to bigger stores. Whereas supermarkets have to ensure consistency, independent retailers can adapt completely to their local environment. This makes them more nimble in meeting local and seasonal needs.”
4. Use your networks: “For example, a local artisan bakery will supply custom cakes and home-made bread, whereas the supermarket around the corner will only stock mass-market, generic products. Customers like the idea of shopping local and unique, especially for special ‘treat’ purchases,” Professor Evanschitzky says. “Look at what’s around you locally in terms of new suppliers. Perhaps there’s a farmer who wants to sell local produce through an independent retailer, or an artist making one-of-a-kind pieces. Get out there and have conversations to get the products your customers want.”
5. Be more than just a shop: “Offer those additional services that supermarkets can’t easily copy. Offer easy pick-up or home delivery, or be a ‘locker’ or pick-up point, becoming a point of convenience for your customers. There are endless opportunities to offer additional services and only the independent retailer knows what their customers really want.”

However, Professor Evanschitzky warns that independent retailers can fall into the trap of wanting to become more like a supermarket than a local institution. “Don’t try to copy supermarket strategy in terms of price or assortment,” he says. “Customers don’t shop at a small business to find the exact same products (likely at a higher price) than they would in the megastore down the road.”

“Supermarkets want the qualities independent retailers have – adaptive, close to customers, personal,” Professor Evanschitzky adds. “They invest a fortune in analytics and databases to get to know their customers. This is intuitive for small businesses, who are the ones having real conversations with shoppers. Focus on your strengths – your local knowledge, your flexibility, your customer service – to reap the rewards as an independent retailer.”

All dog owners and keepers in England will be legally obliged to have their pet microchipped when a new law is introduced next year.

From April 6, 2016 any owner or keeper whose dog is not chipped could face a fine of £500 if they fail to act when warned.

Here are some important things to know before the law comes into force:

• A dog must be chipped and registered on an approved database before they hit the age of two months old.
• It does not matter if a person is not the owner – the law applies to the dog's "keeper".
• Keepers found not to have had their dog chipped will be issued a warning and they will have 21 days to act. Fines of £500 can be dished out to those who fail to do so.
• The law will be enforced by local authorities such as councils, plus police and PCSOs. Other persons may also be given permission to enforce the law – for example, RSPCA officers may be authorised.
• A dog microchip is about the size of a grain of rice. Having your dog chipped is as simple as calling a vet and asking for assistance.

A full list of frequently asked questions can be found on the Petlog website here.