Old problems

All new, all different, but all better? After the frustrating experience for exhibitors and visitors to Expozoo four years ago in Villepinte, this year everything was supposed to be different. As in the early years of the show, the revamped and refurbished Porte de Versailles exhibition ground in Paris was the venue for the trade fair. According to exhibitors and visitors, however, the organisers Europexpo und the French federation of pet product suppliers (PRODAF) have only partially succeeded in turning things around. While most exhibitors praised the efficient organisation and the new exhibition ground, other aspects were not so well received by the 300 or so manufacturers. Among other things, the Key Accounts Day, on which hall eight of the Porte de Versailles was opened exclusively to invited guests such as buyers from retail networks and leaders from other types of retail, attracted criticism. “There was simply nothing going on, because very few people came,” explained one exhibitor. Some exhibitors were also astonished by the countless school parties visiting the fair on the other days, who even pushed pet supplies retail representatives into the background on some stands. Otherwise most of the companies exhibiting were satisfied with the flow of visitors, however. Big French firms failed to show up The mood was positive among most companies as far as the verdict on the French market was concerned. Sales in the country of baguettes and the Eiffel Tower are going very well in the current year, said many company representatives at the show. This may be due in part to the many innovations presented at Expozoo. Apart from the nano aquariums of all shapes and colours on display, the key trends at the trade show centred on food with health benefits and care products for pets. The opportunity to find out about the latest products and market trends in the lounge at the rear of the hall was seized on as eagerly as the catering, which was free for exhibitors and visitors. But the organisers failed to keep other promises. For example, the enticing prospect of being able to meet all the players in the French market was substantially undermined by the absence of Royal Canin and Canifrance from the show. Download: Old problems (PDF file)