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BLOG: Phillips Brings Pet Industry to the Jersey Shore

Tom Mazorlig//August 12, 2015//

BLOG: Phillips Brings Pet Industry to the Jersey Shore

Tom Mazorlig //August 12, 2015//

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Phillips Pet Food & Supplies held its Mid-Atlantic Buying Show on August 3-4 at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch, N.J. Pet Age staff members had the pleasure of attending.

There was a great turn out, as the show attracted 748 retailer representing 564 stores. They came to see the 174 booths that featured 305 exhibitors. The show floor was always busy. Vendors lined the entrance hall and filled two large ballrooms.

On the upper level of the show floor, there was a DJ playing upbeat songs, a balcony overlooking the ocean, a refreshment station, another room of vendors and the New Item Area, featuring dozens of new products.

PHOTOS: Phillips Mid-Atlantic Buying Show

While many vendors launched their new products at the recently held SuperZoo, the buying show provided an excellent opportunity for those unable to travel to Vegas to see some of the latest and greatest pet products. For retailers who attended SuperZoo, the less frenetic atmosphere of the buying show enabled them to get up close with the products and vendors.

Jolly Pets brought a large selection of rubber, rope and plush toys for dogs. The Crab Tug-a-Mal was beyond cute.

Deep Blue Professional had a large booth displaying their aquarium products, along with their reptile and amphibian line, Terra Blue. Their low and wide reptile enclosures caught my eye. They are perfect for many snakes, invertebrates and ground-dwelling lizards.

The Honest Kitchen gave away samples of its new Grace diet. This is a complete dehydrated diet with turkey or other meat, egg, pumpkin and more –just add water. I can’t wait to try it on my cats.

RAWZ Natural Pet Food showcased their new Meal Free Dry Food for dogs and cats. The packaging is sharp and it looks to be an excellent food.

Grizzly Pet Products brought their line of fish oil based nutritional supplements along with their Crunchy Cat Treats and Crunchy Training Treats.

The vendors we spoke with all thought highly of the show.

“It was our first time coming to this show and it’s been great. There’s been a lot of people and we’ve been busy. Great event,” said Eric Merva of Vee Enterprises. Vee brought its array of PURRfect Cat Toys, including the Feather, Feather Bouncer, Crunchy Feather and Curly varieties.

“It’s been busy and very worthwhile to be here,” said Don Miller, CEO of Ruby Reef, Inc. Ruby displayed its line of solutions to common aquarium problems, including Kick-Ich and Sliminator.

Along with giving retailers a chance to peruse the latest products from a range of vendors, the buying show also included marketing seminars, including one on Phillips’ recently acquired aquatics division. Additional seminars focused on ways retailers can get the most from Phillips new IT Kit.

I also made friends with a lovely great Dane from Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue.

All in all, the show was a lot of fun – not to mention a big success – and I look forward to attending the next one.