Seeing the latest pet product launches under one roof is one of the major attractions to PATS visitors, and this September’s show at the Telford International Centre is set to unveil a record number of new items, the organiser has announced.
An impressive line-up of entries to the popular New Product Showcase is a positive sign that PATS Telford exhibitors are excited about their latest products and can’t wait to show them to visiting retailers and buyers.
Products entered into the Showcase will be judged by a panel of independent pet retailers on the first day of the show (Sunday, September 25) to decide the winners of the New Product Awards.
“It’s great to see companies putting their new products forward,” said organiser Annie Foord. “I would urge those exhibitors who haven’t entered the Showcase yet to make sure they do so because it’s a not-to-be missed opportunity.
“Speaking to visitors, we know that a lot of them head to the Showcase first. They can view all the latest items in one place, and once they’ve seen what they like, they then head off to the stand of the manufacturer or supplier of that product to discuss it in more detail.”
There are eight categories in the New Product Showcase and past winners add that winning an award can certainly increase the profile of the items to the trade.
For All Dogkind won the Grooming Product Award at PATS Sandown in March, and Laura Redstone said: “Since winning the award we have been overwhelmed by the trade enquiries we have received from both the UK and overseas. The accolade has given DogKind a superb launch platform into the pet and grooming industry.”
Other winners at PATS Sandown this year agreed that an award can have a great impact on a product’s launch.
Lee Gardiner, of Sky Pet Products, said: “The endorsement of the New Bird Product Award helped us to present the product to retailers with confidence. It also means the item will receive greater focus above other similar products available from alternative suppliers, helping to give us an edge.”
Richard Mock, of Symply Pet Foods Ltd, said: “It was the perfect platform to announce the launch of Piccolo food. It helped gain the instant recognition throughout the pet trade as one of the outstanding new products in the marketplace.”
And Chris Goodlad, of Supa Ltd, was thrilled to have won the first-ever Giftware Product Award with the company’s new range of ornamental metal birds. He commented: “We have received a lot of positive feedback, praising the range as it has developed a new category for independent pet retailers. The award was the perfect way to launch this range as it showcased it to so many retailers.”
The Showcase is designed to help visitors to easily find the latest and most exciting products to hit the pet trade, as they are gathered together in one, extensive display. There is an information card beside each product, giving details such as suggested retail price and where in the show you’ll find the item’s exhibitor.
The New Product Showcase entries will be displayed under the following seven award categories:
- Cat Product
- Dog Food or Treat Product
- Dog Accessory Product
- Bird Product
- Small Animal Product
- Pet Care Product
- Grooming Product
- Giftware Product
A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the show website, www.patshow.co.uk, together with information on how to reach the venue and regularly updated show news.
PATS Telford takes place at Telford International Centre on Sunday, September 25, and Monday, September 26.
