Debbie Phillips-DonaldsonDebbie Phillips-Donaldson is editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry magazine and Petfood Forum.From the Author - Page 77HomeConsumers in chargeIndustry professionals and others offer perspectives on dealing with educated and empowered pet ownersHomeAll in the familyTuffy’s Pet Foods succeeds by working family to family and doing the small things rightHomeWhat's hot in petfoodIf you're a petfood professional in Russia, Thailand or South Africa, or you make treats, premium petfood or products with health and wellness claims, you're in the driver's seat behind the engines of industry growth. According to Euromonitor International, while the growth rate of global dog and cat food sales fell to about 4% in 2009 after reaching a high of nearly 7% in 2008, that level of growth during a major recession is one most industries would envy.Market Trends and ReportsSomething to Chew On: Petfood's launch partyA trip to Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida, USA, in late March provided tangible proof that the pet industry has weathered the recession well and is set for a strong year. There were definitely more people-pet retail store buyers, exhibiting pet product manufacturers and others-than at least year's event, and a palpable buzz filled the aisles and air.Market Trends and ReportsSomething to Chew On: Bright days ahead-with a few clouds"On solid ground." That's how Packaged Facts describes the US pet industry in its new report, US Pet Market Outlook 2010-2011: Tapping into Post-Recession Pet Parent Spending. It shows the pet care market grew last year despite the awful economy, and most signs point to continued growth for the next year and beyond.Market Trends and ReportsSomething to Chew On: If you can't beat 'em …According to recent reports from the American Pet Products Association and Packaged Facts, the US pet industry stared down the recession and won, gaining 5% last year to a total of US$53 billion. The US petfood category also grew 5%, to US$17.56 billion.HomeLeading the packBuilding on the foundation of its legacy companies, WellPet grows by continuing their leading-edge natural nutritionMarket Trends and ReportsSomething to Chew On: What will consumers do now?"No more fear." While that may sound like a marketing slogan or rock band (in fact, it is the latter), Mintel sees it as an overall theme for how consumers will behave this year. "While in 2009, fear played an important role in shaping consumer behavior, 2010 will see a return of confidence and adaptation," says Richard Cope, Mintel director.Market Trends and ReportsSomething to Chew On: Innovation still drives successBusiness and marketing experts have always known the way to continued growth and success is through innovation. In no industry is that more true than petfood.HomeSomething to Chew On: Filling the gapHere's some good news for our industry, courtesy of a survey recently commissioned by Petco : Nearly 80% of US pet owners say they feel confident their pets' food is healthy and nutritious. The bad news? Only 43% of respondents say they understand how to evaluate the nutritional value of the food by looking at the ingredients on the label, and only 41% know which ingredients are most nutritious.HomePetfood goes greenWhen our industry looks back at 2009, we might consider it the year of the greening of petfood, at least in the US. This year has seen the opening of several new or retrofitted US facilities-plants and office buildings, for manufacturers and suppliers-designed to be more environmentally friendly.HomeTasty and healthyWhen it comes to what they put in their pets' bowls, today's consumers demand the best quality and nutrition. That means petfood manufacturers and suppliers must develop and select every ingredient and component of a formulation for maximum effect.Previous PagePage 77 of 81Next Page
