EDITOR’S LETTER | PET GAZETTE | 3
MEET THE EXPERTS CONTRIBUTING
TO THIS MONTH’S ISSUE
Nigel Baker is chief executive
of the Pet Industry Federation
(PIF). He joined the PIF in
2012 and has more than 30
years’ experience in the pet
trade. Nigel has considerable
commercial experience from
the senior positions he has
held in pet food manufacturing
and supplier companies.
John Courteney-Smith MRSB
is the bird and reptile manager
for Arcadia Products and a full
member of the Royal Society
of Biology. He believes that we
still have much to learn from
the wild and has a passionate
dedication to ever increasing
animal welfare. His aim is to start
a ‘revolution in exotic pet care’.
Caroline Offord has worked
in the RSPB Communications
Department for over ten years
and has spent her working life in
the conservation/environmental
sector. She enjoys being outside
in nature and since becoming a
mum to two boys is passionate
about getting them outdoors to
enjoy and experience wildlife
and the natural world.
Nicole Paley is the
communications manager at
the PFMA and has worked in
the pet food industry for over
ten years. Liaising with the
PFMA’s team of industry and
veterinary nutrition experts, Nicole
writes on a range of subjects
from pet nutrition to industry
trends and developments.
EDITOR’S LETTER
In an effort to compete with online offerings, Pets At Home
announced the launch of its ‘Store of the Future’ complete with
grooming stations, kiddie play areas and pet care classes,
reflecting what is being seen in the retail sector as a whole -
businesses big and small are constantly evolving to meet the
ever changing needs of the consumer. As one of the bigger
players in the pet retail trade, realising how much Pets At Home
is putting into revamping its physical stores - millions of pounds
in fact - goes to show that no one is immune to or should ignore
the downfalls of high street businesses which have plagued many
companies over the past few years.
However, seeing a big name make such an effort doesn’t mean
hope is lost for the rest in the sector - in fact many of the changes
made by Pets At Home have the personal, invaluable and varied
touch that many independent stores already give their customers.
Knowing that online retail is only getting more robust is something
to stay aware of and if your business does both, turn to page 29
to see Nicola Ravensford’s advice on how to make your online and
offline services as seamless as possible to ensure success on both
channels.
Ingredients are being heavily focused on in pet care as owners
increasingly want to be able to read a label and know exactly
what they are giving their pet; from the exclusion of certain foods
to the inclusion of trendy components, Bayswater Veterinary Clinic
specialist Dr Richard Allport explores the benefits of the anti-
inflammatory superfood turmeric on page 30.
Speaking of trends, Dr Jacqueline Boyd, nutritional consultant at
Skinner’s Pet Foods, looks at why it’s important to balance ‘food
fashion’ with fact when it comes to canine diets on page 26.
I hope you enjoy this issue.
www.petgazette.biz
June 2019