RINALDO FRANCO

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Zoomark is back, in great style. What news do you have in store for visitors to your stand at BolognaFiere?
At Zoomark we will make every effort to interact directly with the public. In the past we organized various initiatives for our stand such as fashion shows and grooming demonstrations, designed to attract clients and provide opportunities to interface with them, and we will be doing the same things next year. From 2015 and 2019, we also supported the organization of Buyer-Pet, an event for buyers in the world of Modern Distribution to meet and network. The show is a networking opportunity and also somewhere to present new products: as always, we will be presenting interesting news – such as the rebranding of our leading brand RECORD.

Why do you think it is important to take part in Zoomark? What are your expectations and what are your goals?
In terms of the supply chain, and with the energy crisis affecting transport, it is strategic for us to Europeanise production, which at present is too heavily concentrated in the Far East, though the quality we sought and over time found there, is going to be difficult to match. In terms of sales, we are keen to meet up with our loyal Italian customers again, and expand our distribution network abroad. For us this represents a key safety valve and enables us to monitor the international situation. We are aiming at a 20% quota of exports: we are currently at 16%, with customers in 35 different countries.

Can you tell us about your vision of the pet market: what are your predictions for the industry from now to Zoomark 2023? What challenges await us in the coming months and what opportunities?
Above all since April this year, we have noted a slower rate of growth in sales by volume. We believe that this will stabilize in the coming months with a redistribution of discretionary spending choices. For example, products that have seen significant price rises – such as silicon cat litter – will sell less than other types, such as plant-based litters, which respond better to the demand for environmentally friendly options. The show, which is known for its "long view", will as always be indispensable when it comes to tapping into the current trends and fine-tuning our objectives.