March 2012

Small animal

Why should retailers attend the PATS Sandown show?

Trade shows like PaTs sandown provide an ideal opportunity for retailers to take a step back from

their day-to-day business and see what is really happening in the pet industry.

store visits from sales reps can only tell a retailer so much. speaking to all the key manufacturers in one place gives retailers the bigger picture.

it also enables them to quickly determine the truth behind some manufacturer’s claims, not just about its own products but also those of its competitors!

in the current economic climate, it is the retailers that offer choice and specialist pet products with high cash margins that will fair the best. in addition to showcasing their established offerings, many manufacturers will be launching innovative new products at PaTs sandown, and supreme is no exception!

Following excellent feedback from pre-launch trials with both customers and retailers, our revolutionary new high-fibre rabbit and guinea pig foods will be unveiled at PaTs.

offering a true good, better, best portfolio to suit all pockets, our new Tasty Bites monocomponent range will also be on display, along with our trusted range of veterinary recommended foods for small animals featuring Britain’s Cutest Bunny!

Many pet owners turn to retailers for information about keeping small animals. in association with the rwaF, supreme will be showing a series of educational videos at PaTs, which inform retailers about rabbit welfare needs, and demonstrate that what’s better for bunnies can also be better for business. Make sure you visit our stand (J1) to find out more!

we are aTTending PaTs sandown for the second year after it was such a success in

2011. The event is very well run and the organising team are extremely helpful with a well laid out show that allows retailers to see leading brands, new products and major launches all under one roof.

Planning your visit is key and will allow you to make the most of your time if appointments are booked in advance and you also know the layout of the exhibition.

arriving organised and with a clear vision of what you want to achieve from your visit is key to success so take some time beforehand to think about your aims, who you want to see, which brands you could develop further in store, are any exhibitors running special show offers and what new lines or product categories could help boost your business?

a well thought-out visit to PaTs can save retailers a lot of time and effort and also provides good feedback on the industry as a whole, how each sector is developing, major influencers in the industry and what could be the ‘next big breakthrough’.

PaTs also provides the ideal opportunity to network with colleagues and industry professionals to keep up to

date with the latest news and happenings. remember to visit a wide range

of stands not just the larger ones. There will be plenty of offers

throughout the show, as well as on-stand competitions

and displays. it is also worth

considering taking key members of staff with you

so they can also get a feel for the latest developments

throughout the industry.

Claire HamblionSmall animal marketing manager, Supreme Petfoods

Sean CoxSales manager, Alpha Feeds

Do you have the best rabbit hutch? Pet Product Marketing has

joined forces with the rabbit Welfare association and Fund in the battle to improve the care of domestic animals

throughout the uk.the rWaF are constantly striving for

better conditions for pet rabbits because too many animals continue to live in hutches that are too small and without a suitable companion. For the second year running PPM and the rWaF have launched a nationwide search to find the best hutch-and-run combination on the market.

We want manufacturers and retailers to enter what they believe is their best hutch-and-run combination. the rWaF recommend a 6ft x 2ft x 2ft hutch so anything smaller should not be entered please.

experts at the rWaF will then ‘test drive’ the hutches and runs for four weeks, and create a short list, with entrants being given feedback at every stage.

Products will be scored on: quality 25%, ease of use 25%, safety 25% and size 25%. the final

three will then be put to the public vote. “Last year was the first year of the rWaF’s

hutch-and-run competition,” said rWaF spokesperson rae todd.

“We wanted to put the fact that an exercise run is every bit as essential as a hutch for outdoor rabbits at the front of retailers’ minds, and we were delighted with the level of entries we had and also the standard of products that are available.

“Families that are prepared to care for their rabbits properly are prepared to spend money to do so, and it is encouraging to see a better range of products available to them.

“of course this meant that last year the standard was set really high and included some new and innovative ideas, so we are really excited to see what we get this year.”

Last year’s competition was won by the rabbit Hutch Shop, based at cornhill upon tweed, northumberland.

l For details about how to enter email rae@rabbitwelfare.co.uk

The best rabbit hutch and run in 2011 from the Rabbit Hutch Shop.

supremepetfoods.com

NEWbag!

Visit us at P.A.T.S stand J1

BRANDBinky’s got a