Excitement over the biggest-ever PATS continued into the second day as visitors flooded into the halls for another lively day of trading at Telford’s International Centre.

Exhibitors reported busy stands all day with retailers and buyers eager to see, feel and touch the latest products to be launched onto the market.

With the addition of the Aquatics Zone, the Pet & Aquatics Trade Show has seen over 340 exhibitors showcasing hundreds of new products in four halls of the exhibition venue.

Supreme Petfoods are exhibiting at PATS for the first time in several years, and marketing manager Claire Hamblion said: “It’s great to be back. I’m really pleased with the response we’ve had to our new launches. This event is a great platform to unveil innovative product ranges, so it was the correct decision to return.”

Liane Avery, head of operations at Pet Trade Innovations, reported a busy time on the company’s stand. “I haven’t known anything like it – it has been non-stop,” she said. “Retailers are searching for something different and we are providing it.”

The PATS New Product Award winners have been celebrating their success on day two of the show, relishing the opportunity to shout about their achievements to visitors.

Ramin Marzbani, director of LickiMat UK, said: “It’s exciting to win such a prestigious award with LickiMat Kitty. There are so many good products in the New Product Showcase, so to be judged a winner is a tremendous honour. I love this show because it delivers on every level – the layout, the organisation and the quality of visitors.”

Donald Cook Ltd is the UK distributor of two products that won New Product Awards. Simon Lewis-Dale, the company’s head of business development, said: “I’m blown away to have won these awards – absolutely over the moon. I think this is the best pet trade show ever.”

Dog & Bond won the New Starter Zone Award with their Make-Your-Own Dog Treats. Avi Nagel, director of Dog Bond, said: “As a young business it’s so exciting to be recognised with an award. We’ve only been going for a year, so to win is unexpected but proves we are going in the right direction. PATS is such a great place to get our brand known and let retailers know what we are all about.”

Experts from the pet industry gave some valuable advice to exhibitors in the New Starter Zone on the second day of PATS.

Pet Trade Innovations’ Steve Driver, retail consultant Claire Gavin and Pedigree Wholesale senior buyer Melanie Malin shared their knowledge in a presentation on the PetQuip Business Lounge.

Suresh Nath, director of Spetacular, said it was a great experience listening to industry experts. “It was very informative and I gained a lot of useful advice from the panel. As a new company in the pet industry, it’s important to gain as much information as possible, so I found the session really helpful.”

Retailers and buyers revealed why PATS is the place to visit.

Darren Porter, owner of Urmston Pet Shop, has visited the show on both of the first two days. He said: “Spending a couple days here is well worthwhile. It gives me enough time to make informed decisions on the products I want to stock in my shop. I like to enjoy the atmosphere, soak it all in, and meet other people in the industry.”

Ella Watson, director of the The Natural Doggy Deli Co, Wolverhampton, said: “The show is fantastic. Everybody is really approachable and supportive. And the range of products is ridiculous – in a good way!”

Jonathan and Aimee Bruce, founders of Willabean, Leicester, commented: “It’s our first time at PATS because we launched in April and are looking to expand. It’s been really useful coming here and we’ve seen quite a lot of new stuff that we’re now looking to stock in line with the working dog theme of our company.”

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is the final day of PATS – the first time the exhibition has expanded into a third day. Doors open at 9.30 am and the show closes at 4pm.

Ends

Photographs of PATS 2024 are available to download at

https://stewartwrittle.dphoto.com/album/7zqxjg

For further media information please contact Neil Pope by email press@impact-exhibitions.com