North Wales retailer PetPlace is targeting sustainable start-ups and innovative independent suppliers with a strong focus on the environment to help drive its next phase of growth.
Owners Sion Pritchard and Paul Penketh are looking to work with more bespoke suppliers and products designed to improve the health and wellbeing of animals, as well as fledgling firms looking to support the pet trade now and in the future. The company, which is based in Kinmel Bay and has stores in Abergele, Ruthin, Mold, Llangefni and Chirk, already stocks many environmentally-friendly items on its shelves, but Sion says they plan to take things further in the months ahead.
He said: “We are opening the doors to smaller, independent suppliers who specialise in the health and wellbeing of animals and want to be part of the pet industry.
“A lot of retail chains stock pet goods but without the emphasis on sustainability, the environment and creating innovative products that will make a difference to the pets, their owners and ultimately, the planet. We want to hear from the innovators, anyone with an idea that’s in motion or a start-up with an exciting new product that could cause a stir in the sector.”
Among the sustainable firms already working with PetPlace is Adios Plastic, a Kent-based husband and wife partnership who launched a plastic-free biodegradable poo bag business in 2018. Ben and Sadie Dodd are now aiming to continue the company’s progress with pet wipes that naturally break down into the environment and serve as food to be consumed by microorganisms.
Ben said: “When we started there were a lot of poo bags on the market and the vast majority were plastic, which can take hundreds of years to break down.
“We wanted to do something different and after a lot of research began producing bags made from corn starch. From that we developed a range of colours – including our popular rainbow packs – that stood out from the standard options available.
“We began supplying PetPlace during the pandemic and love everything they stand for; they are a model customer and have really got behind our brand. We grew 600% during first year of lockdown and another 200% in the last year, passing the 20 million sales mark in the UK alone.”
Another to work closely with PetPlace over the last year is Mountain Garden Botanics, based in New Brighton, Wrexham. As well as a range of cruelty-free and plastic-free shampoo and soaps for pets and humans the company also supplies unique lines including an anti-pecking spray for chickens and a calming mist for dogs and horses.
Sion added: “At PetPlace we are very different from the norm, we want to support the pet trade specifically and move forward together, away from the mass-market consumer approach to a more dedicated, proactive and tailored offering, ensuring our team members have as much knowledge as possible to share with our customers.”
