News

Changes at Acorn Pet Centres Acorn Pet Centres, the Scottish pet supplies business, has been brought out of administration. In September, the Fife-based retailer was bought for an undisclosed sum by a team led by former managing director Douglas Mutter, 10 weeks after administrators from accountancy firm Tenon were appointed at the request of the directors. The buyout will result in the Acorn Pet Centres business being acquired by a new entity that will operate 24 stores. These employ 153 staff in total. Another 11 stores were closed by the administrators following their appointment, with the loss of 73 jobs. After being in administration for just 10 weeks, the Acorn Pet Centres business has been sold. The company continues to be run by Douglas Mutter. Administrators Tenon Recovery said that the 153 jobs will be saved. Futterhaus: Second branch in Austria The Futterhaus speciality chain has opened its second outlet in Austria. The store in Knittelfeld is 500 m² in size and has three staff members. It carries a full range of products plus a small mammal unit as a special feature. The store also has a small stock of equestrian products. According to Norbert Steinwidder, managing director of Futterhaus Austria, his store is the only pet supplies shop in the Knittelfeld district. In October, Futterhaus invited all the pet supplies retailers in Austria to a discussion about opportunities for cooperation, to advance its expansion in Austria. The meeting was arranged through the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. Animalia in St. Gallen Over 20 000 visitors and around 70 exhibitors are expected for the 7th Animalia in St. Gallen on 8 and 9 May. The established Swiss consumer show for pets will also feature international dog, pedigree cat and small mammal exhibitions along with presentations by the St. Gallen aquarium and turtle associations. Last year, 36 per cent of exhibitors rated the show as "very good" and 59 per cent deemed it "good". When asked if they would participate in Animalia again, 55 per cent responded with a "yes". New initiative at Pats shows The organisers of the pet and aquatics trade shows in Sandown (23 and 24 March) and Harrogate (26 and 27 April) have announced another new initiative for the 2010 shows. The Pats Discovery Point is an area within both shows that will host exhibitors with focused, specialised ranges. Whether their products are brand new to the trade or already available through carefully selected retail outlets or wholesalers…