With 70% of UK garden centres featuring a dedicated pet section, and this number growing year-on-year, pet products offer not only a substantial profit opportunity, but they can also help any garden centre to achieve a wider ‘one stop shop’ reputation. Recognising this, the organisers of Glee have confirmed that this year’s event will benefit from the introduction of the PetQuip Business Village.This exciting new area will see PetQuip - the UK’s leading trade association for suppliers of pet products, accessories and services - bring together member and non-member pet suppliers to create a leading showcase of those pet brands wanting to build a presence within garden retailers. Under the leadership and support of PetQuip, the Village will provide pet suppliers of all sizes with a platform to launch and showcase their 2016 ranges to garden retail buyers and key decision makers.
The dedicated ‘Business Village’ will be located close to the centre of Glee within NEC Halls 17-20, delivering a strong footfall of garden retailers looking to boost their in-store pet offering. As a division of The Federation of Garden & Leisure Manufacturers Ltd (Gardenex), PetQuip has access to over 55 years of experience of bringing suppliers and buyers together and building world-wide supply networks. It is these values which will underpin the activity within the village.
Over 20 companies are expected to make their home within the village, with additional PetQuip members such as Gardman and Westland also featuring throughout the wider show. Three special, all-inclusive stand packages have been created, making taking part as easy as possible. Additional benefits will include an online presence at gleebirmingham.com, as well as ongoing marketing and PR support in the lead up to, and during, the show itself. The PetQuip team will also be on hand throughout Glee to provide unrivalled business and exporting advice to both new and existing suppliers.
Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE, Director General of PetQuip said: "The PetQuip team is pleased to be able to expand the comprehensive range of sales generating services the association offers pet product manufacturers.
"The PetQuip Business Village at Glee not only offers a cost effective stand package for suppliers, it also gives them an excellent opportunity to meet with buyers of pet products representing garden retailers in the UK and internationally.
"Exhibitors will also be well placed for introductions with the broad range of buyers attending Glee from related sectors such as DIY stores, department stores and high street chains from the UK and abroad, who are interested in expanding their pet product consumer offer and are looking for new suppliers."
Glee’s event director, Matthew Mein added: “Garden retailers are always looking at ways to focus on ‘family’ within their retail offering, and pets should certainly form part of this picture. Recent PetQuip stats show that 1 in 3 UK households have a dog, whilst 31% own a cat.
"Additionally PetQuip stats state that the food and treat sector alone is worth in excess of £1billion. This valuation clearly demonstrates the significant investment which pet owners are willing to undertake, and this doesn’t even take into account other areas such as toys, bedding, healthcare, housing, grooming and clothing! I’ve no doubt that any garden retailer wanting to grab a slice of this huge profit opportunity, will benefit from attending the PetQuip Business Village at Glee 2015. With 20+ suppliers ready and willing to do business with garden centres this really is one area of Glee not to miss.”
