Table of contents

• Comment

• 3Ray of hope for a challenged country

• Markets

• 12The French pet supplies market grew by three per cent in 2016.

  14In Austria the number of independent pet shops has declined dramatically. Large retail chains are benefiting from this trend.

  16The German pet supplies sector achieved slight growth in 2016.

• Distribution

• 18Plaček Group keeps on expanding.

  20The Suzirya Group from Ukraine held its two-day Open House fair in Kharkiv.

  22The Spanish Tumascota pet retail chain is eyeing the whole of Spain with a view to further expansion.

• Focus

• 36Dog food - The international dog food market remains an interesting and dynamic segment.

  38Dog food - Dogs wagging US pet trends, according to GfK.

  40Dog food - The German pet food manufacturer Mera Tiernahrung plots a course for the future.

• Country report

• 46Italy - Italians love pets, and that’s the reason why the pet supplies sector saw growth in terms of sales and tonnage in 2016.

  48Italy - Price competition in Italy is increasing strongly.

• Events

• 24Zoomark International in Bologna was a resounding success.

• Suppliers

• 30The American company Radio Systems launched new products at PATS Sandown.

  32Mondi presents new packaging solutions and materials.

  33Higgins Premium Pet Food is a leading US manufacturer of food for birds and small animals.

  34The cat litter specialist 7Pets creates a stir in the international pet supplies sector.