Page 35 - PET worldwide issue 03/2022

this description of a pet shop may Products in the categories of investment in a positive future.
sound incredible and absurd. And pet food and accessories have Alongside all the changes and
from a current viewpoint, Gerke made unbelievably large ad- stressful social and political cir-
agrees: “It was absurd!” vances, according to Gerke. cumstances, we must also face
“Acquiring a pet and owning Many of the services offered for the new challenges of the mar-
a pet have fortunately changed pets now are taken for granted, ket and search boldly for solu-
and improved greatly to the ben- but didn’t even exist when he en- tions and find them.” Gerke cites
efit of pets, both in pet stores and tered the business. Veterinarians sustainability, individualisation
at home among pet owners. Spe- now specialise to a much greater and customisation as some of
cial offers such as a Timneh grey extent and are able to treat dis- the relevant issues at present,
parrot plus cage for DM 375 or eases better, with early diagno- as well as subscription models
Greek tortoises for DM 9.90 sis and preventive treatment. for daily use products, digitali-
are happily a thing of the past,”
Gerke told pet. “PEOPLE HAVE RECOGNISED THAT THEY NEED ANIMALS TO
FEEL AND PRESERVE THEIR HUMANITY AND TO DEVELOP IT.”
Pet owning tailored
more to the species
A lot of new animal welfare leg- “The entire human-pet rela- sation and the combination of
islation has been introduced tionship has developed in this online and stationary retailing
and existing regulations have way into a respectful friendship together with the increasingly
been improved. Many imports based on an understanding of new demands and lifestyles of
were stopped completely and individual needs. People have the customers. “The customer
stringent regulations with statu- recognised that they need ani- wants to be looked after, not just
tory controls are now standard mals to feel and preserve their supplied with products. Products
for the welfare of animals. Asso- humanity and to develop it,” ex- must be brought to life.”
ciations and organisations work plains Gerke. The place where customers
constantly to maintain and im- In the last four decades, eco- shop must be a multifunctional
prove standards. The specialist nomic and other crises have place, in his opinion: a place in
knowledge of staff is getting in- arisen time and again, but Gerke which they not only shop, but
creasingly better and new media says that the pet sector has al- where they can enjoy the experi-
help to ensure that customers re- ways succeeded in seizing these ence, have fun, learn and explore.
ceive more comprehensive infor- events as an opportunity and A “best-in-class retail experience”
mation, so that pet owners can taking advantage of them. “Con- is the aim, says Gerke. “My jour-
be more attentive to the needs of sistent development, far-sight- ney through time is continuing,
the species they keep. edness and courage were an and I look forward to it.” n

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