“Pimp my business”

In large parts of western Europe and the USA, the market for pet products is growing only slightly or is even experiencing a decline. In central and eastern Europe, the market still offers plenty of growth potential, but the pet stores there must contend with growing competition, for example from mass merchandisers. The Internet has strengthened its position as a new distribution channel in many countries in recent years. E-commerce is gaining in importance in the pet sector too and taking a growing market share off the established retail trade year by year. Challenges for the pet supplies sector Trade and industry must react to these challenges. How? The general global conditions of the sector, such as increasing competition, a decline in prices and the up-and-coming online trade, are not going to change. What can be changed, however, is the market image of every single company. What can pet product retailers do to serve the needs of their customers better? How can they amplify their strengths and minimise their weaknesses? How can speciality retailers increase their competence? What can pet product manufacturers do to ensure that their products become true brands? How can trade and industry work more closely together for the benefit of both? These and other issues of current interest will be addressed at the International Pet Conference in Prague. High-profile figures The conference organisers, Dähne Verlag with its trade magazines pet and PET worldwide and the conference company Management Forum, have succeeded once again in putting together an interesting (provisional) programme. The aim on this occasion once again was to get as many interesting personalities from the sector as possible to speak at the conference. One such personality is Rolf C. Hagen Jr. In an interview with PET worldwide, the current president and CEO of Canadian company Rolf C. Hagen assumed the title of innovator. Renowned for his unconventional solutions, he leaves no stone unturned in his efforts to advance the pet supplies sector. In his talk he intends to describe, taking his own company as an example, why strong brands are so important to the pet supplies sector and how they can differentiate themselves in terms of quality from private labels, which are gaining a higher profile. The talk by Frank Difatta, former president of the US pet store chain Petland, should also arouse interest. Frank Difatta knows the pet product trade like the back of his hand. As founder of the…