"We are in a new reality"

As well as promoting networking, the show planner and event organiser Kisaco Research focused on presenting current trends in the pet supplies sector and the latest innovations. Calum Macrae, regional managing director at Nestlé Purina Petcare, stressed in his talk that the sector had been shaken up not least by the digital transformation. "The world has dramatically changed - we are in a new reality," he stated, pointing to new trends such as the growing demands made by shoppers and pet owners on retailers and manufacturers, the ever faster adaptation of human trends in the pet sphere and the growing number of new players wanting to get involved in the pet supplies business. Using his own company as an example, Macrae made it clear that the "unprecedented change in the pet care category", as he described it, was by no means a disadvantage; on the contrary, it offered "unlimited new opportunities" if one catered to the requirements of the customers.
The summary by Dan Balica from market research company Euromonitor International also had an optimistic ring to it. He referred to the substantial growth in the pet supplies sector in the last few years and forecast that trends such as pet humanisation, the global switch from leftover foods to premium pet nutrition, convenience trends and a rising pet population would offer significant potential for further growth in the business.
Michael Bellingham, CEO of the UK pet industry association PFMA, which accounts for 90 per cent of the UK pet food market, spoke about the negative effects of Brexit on the economy. "Uncertainty is the enemy of business," he said, citing some examples from day-to-day activities that showed the countless statutory, logistical and tax changes that would confront trade and industry in consequence of Brexit. These would not be easy to accomplish; "Brexit is not a walk in the park," added Bellingham.

Discussions between market players on the future of retailing and globalisation, pitches by start-up companies and short presentations by private equity and venture capital companies rounded the event off. A new edition of the Pets & Money Summit is expected to take place next February.