This is what winners look like

Products shouldn’t just generate profit margins; they should also be well-received by customers and sell well – and when could this be more important than in the current difficult economic climate? After all, what use is the most profitable product if nobody wants it and it simply gathers dust on the shelf? To find out which products in specialist shops are the real fast-movers and provide fresh impetus, boosting demand and turnover, Dähne Verlag regularly presents many of the most exciting new products of the year in a special supplement to the December issue of its trade magazine pet. This is followed in January by a presentation of new products in a special supplement to the international trade magazine PET worldwide, in which the products are showcased to pet shops across Europe. In the first few months of the new year, an online poll lasting several weeks will take place, in which specialist retailers are invited to vote for their favourites in the categories of dog food, cat food, dog and cat accessories, and small animals/fish/birds.

Almost 300 specialist retailers took part in the vote this year. The result was relatively clear-cut in three out of four categories, whilst one saw a neck-and-neck race. The big winner is Stroetmann Tiernahrung. The Münster-based pet food supplier managed to secure the most votes with its products in the two particularly competitive categories of dog and cat food. Which four products garnered so much attention and approval? We proudly present …

In the dog food category, the product ’Primox Monoprotein‘ from Stroetmann Tiernahrung came out on top against the competition. With 15 other new products in the running, it was no easy feat – yet the lead was clear, at 29.3 per cent compared to the runner-up’s 13.2 per cent. The wet food range, comprising ‘Pur’ and ‘Menü’ varieties, relies on a single source of animal protein and, according to the manufacturer, thus offers honest recipes, maximum digestibility and pure enjoyment.

There weren’t quite as many products to choose from in the cat food category. And yet: the lead achieved by the winning product, ’Primox Cat Food‘, was clearly evident here. The wet food range secured just under 33 per cent of all votes. The product in second place received 19 per cent. ’Primox Cat Food‘ comprises a range of pouches, multipacks and six premium tins – grain-free and sugar-free. According to Stroetmann Tiernahrung, cats and their owners can look forward to a high meat content, balanced recipes and clear ingredient listings.

The result was also clear-cut in the competition for Product of the year in the Small Animals/Fish/Birds category. Here, the winner, with 37.9 per cent of the vote, comes from JR Farm. ‘Igel-Schmaus’ is a new grain-free formula with a high proportion of insect proteins, prawns, poultry proteins and whole eggs. According to the manufacturer, it is designed to help weakened hedgehogs gain weight. The runner-up in this category was chosen by 15.7 per cent of voters.

The vote in the Accessories category was the closest. With 33 per cent of the vote, the ’Origami Hundebox‘ from the Swiss company 1one1 ultimately prevailed over the runner-up, which received 28.7 per cent. This is an innovative game-changer for transporting dogs – at the touch of a button, the fully-fledged and tested crate can be folded down to a height of 12 centimetres in seconds. Available in sizes S to XL, it promises smart and safe transport.