News for Europe January 2003

Fressnapf seeking considerable expansion
In its 2002 financial year, which ended on 31 December, Europe’s leading specialist chain Fressnapf again recorded an increase in sales running into double figures. Compared with the previous year, sales rose by 21.5 per cent to 465.9 mio euro, according to the Krefeld-based company. Like for like, the increase is equivalent to 5.8 per cent.
Fressnapf is also planning 60 new stores in Germany and 40 in Europe in the current year. It intends to step up its expansion above all in Hungary and Denmark. Following its entry into the market Hungarian in November 2002, a second store is to open there in March 2003.
Fressnapf plans to open 15 to 25 new stores in Hungary in the medium term. In January this year Fressnapf acquired an interest in the Danish pet store company PetGo. The PetGo stores, with sales of over four million euro, are changing over in the course of this year to the brand name “Maxi Zoo”, which is intended for Fressnapf specialist stores in the non-German-speaking countries. A further twelve new franchise stores are expected to open in the next two years.
Zoomarket in Warsaw
The 2nd international zoological and pet supplies exhibition Zoomarket will be held in Warsaw between 19 and 21 September. According to the organizers, Zoomarket 2002 was a great success as the exhibition was visited by almost 30,000 people. In 2003 the organiser’s purpose is to create not only an event for specialists but for animal owners as well. Zoomarket is underpinned by a wide programme of scientific conferences, open public debates and entertainment for visitors.
Sizoo in Barcelona
Sizoo, the international zoo technology trade fair, will open its doors again to all pet professionals from 23 to 26 October in Barcelona. It will be the 12th staging of Sizoo and according to the organizers Sizoo will provide an opportunity to make contact with more than 15,000 professional visitors. During the last fair in 2001, 155 companies from 13 countries exhibited in Barcelona, with almost 400 firms represented in total. More information on Sizoo can be found at www.sizoo.com.
Companies merger in UK
The UK brush and comb manufacturer The House of Hindes has merged with Shaws Pet Products. The merger came as no real surprise within the UK pet trade, as Elaine Kemp, managing director of The House of Hindes, is married to Peter Kemp, the managing director of Shaws. The merger is a logical step for the two companies as their products are not only…