PATS 2024 exhibitor Johnson’s Veterinary Products has launched the first-ever National Pet Shop Day – an event to mark the ongoing contribution of pet shops within the local community and to celebrate their services, knowledge, and experience.

National Pet Shop Day will take place on Saturday, 13th July 2024 when pet stores across the UK will be encouraged to throw open their doors and invite pet owners to come in and discover more about the services and products they offer.

When Johnson’s surveyed pet owners as part of its 2023 report into UK purchasing habits, it discovered that over half of respondents (57%) would prefer to speak to the vet in order to remedy a pet’s flea issue, despite the majority stating they find their pet shops and pet shops to be ‘knowledgeable’ and with an opinion that could be trusted.

Pet shops are often, in fact, the local health and wellbeing hubs of the pet world, and can provide practical advice and solutions for commonly occurring minor ailments (such as fleas, ticks, worms or general healthcare issues) – providing animal lovers with the confidence to know they are handling their pet’s conditions effectively and efficiently.

With National Pet Shop Day, Johnson’s wants to encourage the public to rediscover their local pet shop, and mark the ongoing, positive contribution pet shops and stores make to society. And in doing so, together we will look to stimulate new customer trial, increase footfall, and encourage repeat purchase.

A spokesperson for the company said: “For over 100 years Johnson’s has been working hard to support the pet trade, recognising the importance that pet shops and pet stores have within their communities.

“Pet owners have been relying on the dedicated, one-to-one support provided by their local pet shop for generations, and we feel that this commitment to improving the wellbeing of the nation’s pets (and their owners) is something worth celebrating.”

Johnson’s will be undertaking extensive media outreach in the run-up to National Pet Shop Day to promote the benefits of visiting a pet shop for common minor pet ailments, so there will already be noise generated that pet shops can capitalise on.

Johnson’s has also launched a dedicated website www.nationalpetshopday.com, crammed with promotional ideas, downloadable content, branded goodies, and practical advice to help retailers celebrate the day to its fullest.

On the website, retailers will soon be able to find:

• A PR & Social Media Toolkit that will include helpful articles and templates that will offer guidance on how pet shops can maximise presence and encourage engagement in the run-up to and during the day itself.
• An interactive Map highlighting all the pet shops that are planning National Pet Shop Day activities, which Johnson’s will then cross promote in its own communications. All pet shops will need to do is share their events on social media using the hashtags #NationalPetShopDay and #PetShopDayUK, or email us the details.
• Downloadable infographics, photographs, logos, and activity sheets
• Promotional items order section. We plan, as standard, to supply a basic promo package to all retailers who register their intention to participate on the website, but additional items will also be available for purchase via the website. The basic promo bundle will include: Two sizes of promotional poster; branded recyclable carrier bags; promo stickers; flyers and balloons.

Johnson’s Veterinary Products will be exhibiting at PATS 2024 at Telford International Centre from Sunday, 29th September to Tuesday, 1st October 2024.