ClickZ Pet Products Newsletter - 08.14.2024

Discover Retail Innovations, New Partnerships, and Market Insights

Author

ClickZ
August 14, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Specialty Bites 🍪

PSR Trading Ltd, the owner of Just for Pets, has announced the acquisition of the Pets & Friends chain from Kennelpak for an undisclosed fee. This strategic move includes 19 stores and 17 grooming salons, primarily located in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, along with Pets & Friends' online business and subscription service. The acquisition will see Pets & Friends continue to operate under its existing name, with all store and salon staff transferring to PSR. This expansion bolsters PSR's position in the independent pet trade, while allowing Kennelpak to focus on enhancing its wholesale and distribution division.

The acquisition increases PSR's store count to 42, including 21 Just for Pets outlets and two branded Dog by Just for Pets stores. Predominantly based in the Midlands, PSR is actively seeking new store locations to further its growth. Paul Lewis, managing director of PSR, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, highlighting the complementary nature of Pets & Friends to their existing brands. He assured that all jobs at store level would remain intact and looked forward to meeting the team as they work towards continued business growth.

Kennelpak CEO Claire Bayliss reflected on the transformation of Pets & Friends under their management, evolving from a regional retailer to a beloved multichannel pet specialist with national reach. She emphasized Kennelpak's commitment to strengthening its wholesale and distribution division, supporting distributor partners, and delivering exceptional service. Bayliss extended her best wishes to Paul Lewis and the PSR team for the continued success of Pets & Friends.

This acquisition marks a significant milestone for both PSR and Kennelpak, showcasing their strategic focus and commitment to growth in the pet industry.

National Pet Shop Day, launched by Johnsons Veterinary Products, saw over 200 UK retailers participate with activities like free pet photography and fundraising. Managing director Paul Gwynn praised pet shops for their vital role in pet care. The event will now be an annual celebration of these essential businesses.

The global pet care market is projected to exceed $500 billion by 2030, driven by rising pet ownership, especially in emerging markets, and robust growth in pet food and healthcare. E-commerce and pet humanisation trends further boost the industry, with significant contributions from companies like Mars and JM Smucker.

Pet food industry sees dynamic shifts: sustainability and innovation are key, with vegan and cultivated meat options gaining traction. Despite adoption declines and inflation concerns, manufacturers invest in eco-friendly practices. Generational changes and new products like Noochies' cultivated meat highlight the industry's forward momentum and commitment to responsible sourcing.

Pedigree Wholesale has acquired the Collards dog food brand from KennelPak, encompassing over 30 hypo-allergenic products. The brand will now be exclusively available through Pedigree Wholesale. Managing director Julian Grindey assures strong supply, while business development managers will contact previous stockists. Enquiries are welcome.

Performance Platters 🍽️

Instagram will prioritize views as the main metric for all media formats, replacing 'plays' for reels and 'impressions' for non-reels. This change aims to unify metrics across the platform, enhancing user understanding of content performance. Other metrics like accounts reached and interactions remain available.

The upcoming antitrust trial against Google could lead to significant changes in the online advertising industry. Compliance costs, increased competition, and the rise of alternative platforms and technologies are expected. Google's market share may decline, and it might need to diversify revenue streams and adapt to stricter global regulations.

ClickZ is a Contentive publication in the DTC Ecommerce division