Industry News

Sep- 2020 -

8 September

Aquatics expert expands start up

Entrepreneur Carl Goodman has announced his plan to scale his ethical aquatics business with support from the Sheffield City Region Launchpad programme. Goodman first entered the industry when he discovered a pet store he had supported was closing its doors. After reaching out to Launchpad and working alongside an experienced…

8 September

Pet boutique to open in Folkestone

A new pet boutique is set to open its doors in Folkestone, after its opening was initially delayed by the coronavirus crisis. Local resident Debbie Convery will now open Not for Humans, after being “inspired” by local residents who helped her find her missing dog. Convery told Kent Online: “Two…

8 September

Up to £3.5bn furlough claims fraudulent, says HMRC

Up to £3.5bn in payments from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme may have been claimed fraudulently or paid in error, according to the HMRC. Jim Harra, HMRC’s permanent secretary, appeared before MPs on the Public Accounts Committee to discuss the tax authority’s estimates that 5-10% of furlough claims have been…

8 September

UK retail sales increase by 4.7% in August

UK retail sales in August have increased by 4.7% on a like-for-like basis from August 2019, according to figures released in BRC-KPMG’s Retail Sales Monitor report for the month. Overall sales increased by 3.9% in the period, in comparison to a decline of 0.4% in August 2019. This is above…

7 September

Third Pet Theft petition reaches 140,000 in signatures

A petition by The Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance regarding pet theft in the UK has reached over 100,000 signatures for the third year in a row. The petition demands that theft of pets be reclassified, amid a dramatic increase in dog theft across the country due to the escalating…

7 September

Paul O’Grady’s dog food range to be stocked in B&M

National pet food manufacturer, Burgess Pet Care, has announced that Paul O’Grady’s No Nasties dog food will now be stocked in B&M. The new product is available in chicken flavour and is suitable for puppies aged between six weeks to one year of age. In addition to vitamins and minerals…

7 September

Redundancies planned by 60% of mid-sized firms

More than half (60%) of the UK’s medium-sized businesses are planning redundancies as a result of the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme coming to an end in October, according to new research from accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO. BDO’s monthly Rethinking the Economy survey of 500 medium-sized businesses across…

7 September

PetSafe expands play range with electronic toys

PetSafe Brand has expanded its Play and Challenge range with the launch of two new electronic pet toys. The expansion follows the launch of Ricochet Electronic Dog Toys and the Peek-A-Bird electronic cat toy earlier this year, and marks the group’s continued focus on pet technology. According to the group,…

7 September

GDP to contract £15.3bn each year if home working persists

Lower consumer spending and a decrease in economic clustering if pandemic levels of home working persist would reduce UK GDP by £15.3bn every year, according to new research published by PwC. The ‘Big Four’ accountancy firm said the hit to consumption is a result of office workers spending fewer days…

4 September

Dog rescue charity appeals for funding

A dog rescue charity in Bishop’s Castle has appealed for funds after Covid-19 put a “strain” on the group’s finances. According to a local report from the Shropshire Star, funding at Dog’s Bodies has seen its fundraising “dry up” during the crisis. The charity predominantly rescues dogs whose owners have…