"A generator of ideas for the sector"

Over 1 000 trade visitors travelled to Hamburg on 16 September to attend the Das Futterhaus fair, presented on 5 000 m2 of exhibition space in Schuppen 52, a cult location in the Hanseatic city's docklands area. They came to find out more about new products from their retail group and from 90 national and international exhibitors. "Now the biggest national fair in the pet supplies sector," says Das Futterhaus of its house fair, and it had plenty to offer, drawing fulsome praise from those exhibitors questioned by PET worldwide. A positive, upbeat atmosphere, friendly interaction and the opportunity to speak to a number of business partners in just a short time made a very favourable impression on many suppliers. 

On the 500 m2 stand of Das Futterhaus, the relaunch of the NaturPlus private label was a particular highlight. The new brand identity is to be introduced from February 2019 and will include roughly 100 products for dogs, cats, small animals and wild birds. Sustainability was accorded special importance in the relaunch and is reflected in the choice of raw materials and extremely eco-friendly packaging. Selected examples of presentation from the Buxtehude concept store and a new customer information system for aquarists likewise attracted plenty of attention on the stand.  Trade visitors were also interested in the new shelf gondola heads and a display system for collars and leads, complemented by interesting additional products. 
"We regard ourselves primarily as a generator of ideas for our franchise partners and for the sector as a whole," explained the two managing directors of Das Futterhaus, Andreas Schulz and Klaus Meyer-Kortenbach. And Kristof Eggerstedt, new managing director since October, added that "our aim is to show our business partners what Das Futterhaus stands for: a range of great depth and breadth, along with competent specialist advice."

The pet store chain believes itself to be well positioned in the market for the next few months. Eight new stores are set to open, including one in Austria. This will bring the number of new openings in the current year to 30. In the second half of next year, Das Futterhaus expects to open its 400th store. The company believes some growth…