Supporting start-up companies with brilliant new ideas is crucial to the future success of the pet trade. That’s the view of Piers Smart from the award-winning Scampers Natural Pet Store in Cambridgeshire.

“It’s such a joy to deal with people with enthusiasm and passion for what they’re doing,” said Piers.

“And it’s great to see these independent companies thinking hard about their products and then bringing fresh ideas to what was becoming a tired industry. I want to support and help them to become established brands.”

Piers uses social media to find out about start-ups, who have something interesting to bring to the market.

“Platforms like Facebook and Twitter are great for discovering new talent. If I see something I like the look of, I will make contact and try to find out more about the products and the people behind them.

“I will invite them to visit my store and show them how we display products from other like-minded companies. I will offer them advice and discuss ways to get their products off the ground.”

Piers is getting such a good reputation for helping independent companies, that many now contact him for advice.

“I really get a lot of satisfaction nowadays from supporting these people,” said Piers. “At this point in my career I want to help them wherever possible because I was once in a similar position. And I’m having fun doing it.

“These young, passionate people are bringing new theatre to our business, and that has to be good for the industry.

“I know it’s good for the people who visit Scampers – our clients – because they love to see new and well thought-out products on our shelves.”

To find out more about scampers visit www.scampers.co.uk