Four days of the feelgood factor

It only comes around every two years: a fair on which the entire world converges, where innovative products are always popping up and the mood is so fantastic that it eclipses serious concerns such as IS, Brexit or the nationalism that is rearing its ugly head in many countries. Optimism and fun abounded, injecting new energy for the future.
Interzoo indeed surpassed all expectations once again this year. The number of visitors was significantly higher than for the last show, even though many big manufacturing companies decided in advance to turn their back on the world's biggest pet supplies show this time. Things that were major talking points two years ago were not worth a mention this year; the companies that were absent from Nuremberg were not missed. One lesson to be learned from this is that no-one is irreplaceable - even in the pet business.
No groundbreaking new trends in pet keeping were discovered, but many minor changes were in evidence, along with greater convenience than ever before and also more and more computer- or Internet-aided products, especially in the accessories segment. Whether these will be welcomed by consumers or included in the ranges of pet product retailers are questions that cannot be definitively answered yet. On the other hand, the pet sector would pass up on a great opportunity if it didn't acknowledge that mobile phones, tablets and the Internet are as much a part of everyday life for most pet owners as their beloved pets. And if technology-assisted products make sense and make pet keeping easier, retailers would be poorly advised to ignore them altogether.
I believe that the pet sector should boldly seize the opportunities that new technology offers, retailers included. Many specialist retailers still vehemently reject online shops, multi-channel retailing etc. Of course it hurts when quality products are being sold on the Internet much cheaper than in high street stores, but the bricks-and-mortar trade doesn't have to regard itself as a victim. There are plenty of opportunities for speciality retailers to safeguard against a decline in prices by talking to suppliers. 
 

At the International Pet Conference, which takes place in Barcelona on 11-12 October, much will be said about the…