An amazing 266 new products will be showcased when the doors to PATS Harrogate open on Sunday (September 14).
The record number of entries to the popular New Product Showcase is a positive sign that PATS exhibitors are really excited about their latest products and can’t wait to show them to visiting retailers and buyers.
All the products entered by 90 of the 170 exhibiting companies will be judged by a panel of independent pet retailers on Sunday morning, and the winners of each category will be announced at lunchtime.
“It’s great to see so many exhibitors putting their new products forward,” said organiser Annie Foord. “Speaking to visitors, we know that a lot of them head to the Showcase first. They can see 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 seven categories in the New Product Showcase – cat, dog accessory, dog food or treat, bird, small animal, pet care, and grooming – and past winners admit that winning an award can certainly increase the profile of the items to the trade.
The Showcase is designed to help visitors to find easily the latest and most exciting products to hit the pet trade, as they are gathered together in one, extensive display in Hall B. 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.
With a record number of new products and exhibitors attending PATS Harrogate this year, the exhibition is set to draw an equally impressive amount of visitors.
The organisers have also secured a strong line-up of speakers for two days of seminars designed to give pet retailers ahead-of-the-game ideas on new lines, new approaches and new profit potential.
The free-to-attend series of seminars will cover topics including: an insight into the life-saving abilities of medical detection dogs; pay-offs and penalties in the dog-human relationship; retailing RAW pet foods; 30 ways to improve your business in 30 minutes; and what customers are saying about your pet business online.
There will also be live grooming demonstrations from Groom Team England experts, and lots of show offers to complete two full days of activities for visiting retailers and buyers.
PATS features free entry, free catalogue and a free park-and-ride scheme. A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the website www.patshow.co.uk, where visitors still have time to register to attend.
Opening times
- Sunday, 14th September 2014: 9.00am-5.00pm
- Monday, 15th September 2014: 9.00am-4.00pm
