The pet trade has given PATS Sandown a massive thumbs-up with exhibitors and visitors agreeing it has been one of the best ever in the show’s eighth-year history, the organisers have announced.
Retailers from both the UK and overseas filled the Surrey and Esher Halls at Sandown Park in Surrey to create a surge of activity over two days of business.
The mood amongst visitors was summed up by Ben Williams, pet buyer at Dobbies Garden Centres, who said: “PATS Sandown is a must-visit event for me. It’s an opportunity to see all the new launches under one roof and talk to important people in the industry.”
The team from Destination Pets, Higham Ferrers, near Northampton, took two days to get round the show and agreed it had been “brilliant with hundreds of great new products to see.”
Exhibitors agreed the quality of visitors to their stands was exceptional this year, and felt there was a greater degree of confidence being shown.
Natures Menu’s Peter Roy said his company had experienced a brilliant show, launching new products in their Country Hunter range and selling over 100 freezers for their raw food products.
PATS Sandown proved the perfect launch pad and high-profile shop window for Beco Pets, who, after two years’ research and planning, used their grass-covered ‘village’ and inflatable Beco house to unveil their new eco-conscious Beco Pets Food for Dogs.
Beco co-founder George Bramble said: “Everyone knows that PATS is the leading pet industry show out there and the organisers have really delivered and have lived up to our every expectation yet again. We’ve seen incredible footfall at our stand, which proved vital for our biggest new product launch yet.”
Fellow co-founder Toby Massey added: “We’re already looking forward to PATS Telford in six months’ time.”
Pet Rebellion doubled the size of its PATS Sandown stand this year. Ray Foard said: “We’re delighted with the response from retailers. It has definitely been one of the best shows I’ve experienced in my time in the pet industry.”
One of the biggest attractions at the show was the New Product Showcase and Awards, which was located in the Esher Hall. And those companies who entered their new products were eager to report that people had visited their stand after spotting an item in the Showcase.
Pet Remedy won the Best Pet Care Award for its Natural De-Stress & Calming Atomiser, and Martyn Barklett-Judge admitted the exposure had given the product a huge boost at the show.
“I can’t believe how much impact the award has made already,” said Martyn. “Almost instantly, people started flocking to our stand after it was announced. As a result we have taken some good orders and opened lots of new accounts.”
Organiser Annie Foord said: “We love running this show for the pet industry so it is fantastic to hear that exhibitors and visitors have experienced a brilliant show.”
