«ParkZoo 2024», an international pet industry exhibition, took place on September 25-27 in Moscow's Crocus Expo exhibition center. 337 companies producing goods for pets were registered for the exhibition. The exhibition was visited by more than 13.5 thousand people, almost half of them (47.2%) came to the event for the first time.
Most of the guests (93.8%) were from Russia - mainly from the Moscow region (68.2%), Central (8.3%) and Volga (6.4%) federal districts. Almost 2% of visitors came from Belarus and another 1.8% from China.
The exhibitors and guests of «ParkZoo 2024» were interested in the Records Zone, where a fragment of the world's tallest claw tower (its full height is 12.77 meters) and a bag of food with a record weight of more than 400 kg were on display.
However, the most popular place at the exhibition was the New Products Showcase, where more than 200 exhibits were presented, 140 of which were Russian developments. Especially many new products were among dog and cat food.
«ParkZoo 2024» showed that the Russian pet business is coping with the challenges, in particular, with the task of import substitution. Our country is producing more and more diets, fillers, veterinary drugs and other important pet products. The desire for personalization and premiumization of products is very noticeable - manufacturers are trying to create products that meet the needs of different categories of pets: from young to old, from active to sedentary, from healthy to those with special needs. In addition, manufacturers and distributors are attentive to changes in consumer behavior and understand that owners want to provide their pets with the best, so they pay special attention to the environmental friendliness and ethics of the products they offer.
At «ParkZoo 2024», among all pet products presented, dog and cat food was the most popular - 12.8%, as well as pet treats - 9.8%. Pet care products accounted for 8.2%, accessories - 8.1%, veterinary medicines - 7.1%, bird and rodent food - 6.9%, toilet fillers - 6.6%.
The exhibition caused a great emotional upsurge. Employees of the exhibiting companies and visitors were happy to renew old acquaintances and make new ones. At the stands there were photo zones where everyone could take pictures and post them on social networks. The co-working area was buzzing with life: participants and guests of «ParkZoo» used the opportunity to work in comfortable conditions, discuss development prospects, agree on joint projects and so on.
The stands of many exhibitors were real works of modern art. They reflected the mission and objectives of pet product manufacturers, conveying certain messages and ideas.
Companies from China occupied an entire hall this year. Many of them have placed advertisements on their stands looking for distributors, so perhaps in the future there will be even more diverse Chinese-made goods on the Russian market. Among the products there were many toys and clothes for pets - both practical, for warmth and dryness, and dressy, including carnival and New Year outfits. The guests of the exhibition were also interested in “exercise equipment” for cats and cats, in particular, running wheels of various sizes.
In addition, Chinese manufacturers presented equipment for enterprises producing dog and cat food.
«Zooinform» became the press agency of «ParkZoo 2024». Journalists who visited the exhibition received information, photos and videos of the most interesting products and objects presented at the event. They often asked the employees of the stands for explanations on how certain items are used. For example, the TV channel «Friday» prepared a whole report about it. Even the exhibits from the Record Zone did not arouse such interest among the media representatives as a stroller and a life jacket for pets.
And professionals of the pet industry were more interested in the business excursion through the exhibition halls. It was conducted by Julia Dolzhenkova, Development Director of «Zooinform», and together with her more than 30 people walked through the most important stands.
The business program of the exhibition was also very popular. Many participants attended the «PROZooRetail» conference, the 13th Grooming Festival and a business conference by the grooming company «Milord». Special interest was aroused by the panel discussion «“Honest Mark”. Challenges and New Opportunities», dedicated to labeling of feed and veterinary drugs. It was attended by CRPT representatives, NAZ President Kirill Dmitriev, representatives of the veterinary pharmaceutical business and feed companies directly affected by the mandatory labeling requirement.
Kirill Dmitriev noted during the discussion:
“It is only regrettable that such events were not held earlier, during the experiment. Representatives of the pet industry should have an opportunity for an open public dialog with representatives of the CRPT operator”.
Tatiana Katasonova, director of the media company «Zooinform», said about the exhibition:
«ParkZoo» is not only a demonstration of companies' achievements and a search for new partners. It is also the most important element of intra-industry communication. The better market players know each other, the easier it is for them to find a common language and together go to the fulfillment of the mission of our industry - a high culture of interaction between man and his pet”.
The next «ParkZoo» exhibition will take place September 24-26, 2025.