Pioneers on the Bosporus

Turkey currently has around 1 200 pet shops, virtually all with a retail area smaller than 100 m², and one small pet store chain in Istanbul. A number of veterinary clinics also operate. The conservative policy of the government meant that no pet food could be imported into the country between July 2009 and September 2010. Beyond these facts, not much more is known about this country that straddles Asia and Europe, at least as far as the pet sector is concerned. Doruk Hatipoglu and Müjde Coskun are the proprietors of the DBM wholesale and retail company in Istanbul. For 15 years they have been supplying most of the country’s supermarket chains and pet shops with imported branded goods. The main brand in the company’s range is Trixie from Germany, along with Raff from Italy and Orni-Ex from Portugal. Three years ago, the entrepreneurs opened Pet Cash & Carry, a 600 m² pet store in the heart of Istanbul. With this concept they aim to open the door to the Turkish pet sector for international manufacturers. Pet Cash & Carry was also registered as a brand in Turkey. Carefully considered concept The company uses Pet Cash & Carry chiefly as a showroom for buyers from other pet stores and veterinary clinics. “Here our customers find all the key products under one roof and they can put together a suitable range specifically for their customers,” says Doruk Hatipoglu. “They have the opportunity to see all the products together, colour and size alternatives, price scales etc.” The two retailers have also produced a catalogue containing all Pet Cash & Carry products, and this is handed out to their private customers. “With the help of this catalogue, the pet shop owner is able to offer his customers visuals and explanations of numerous varieties of products that will not fit into a 20 m² shop,” says Müjde Coskun, underlining the importance of the catalogue. In the long term the entrepreneurs plan to expand the Pet Cash & Carry concept into their own pet supplies chain, with outlets primarily in Ankara, Izmir and naturally Istanbul. Further important international brands are being added constantly to the range. A country on the move Only 12 per cent of all dogs and cats in Turkey are fed at present on industrially produced food, estimates Doruk Hatipoglu. He believes the country offers considerable potential with regard to pet requisites and pet food, therefore. Nearly 80 million people live in Turkey, with 17 million of these located in Istanbul…