News

2001, Nr. 3, S. 16 News    New Fressnapf stores    The German franchise organisation Fressnapf, which operates over 330 outlets throughout Europe, intends to open new stores at Klagenfurt in Austria, Crissier in Switzerland, Jenfeld in Hamburg, Hösbach, Tuttlingen, Lauingen (Germany).     Terrific growth for Futterhaus    In announcing its figures for 2000, the franchising organisation Futterhaus of Elmshorn notes a 16 per cent increase in like-for-like sales to DM 121 mio. The company currently operates 77 specialist stores, the majority of which are situated in northern Germany and Berlin, as well as nine in North Rhine-Westfalia. Subsequent to the opening of a Futterhaus outlet in Meran on 5 March, the company now operates three stores in northern Italy. Berlin will presumably be the location of the 75th store within Germany. A further four stores are to open in North Rhine-Westfalia over the next six months. In this context, the decision taken by Brigitte and Ulrich Braun to become members of the Elmshorn franchising organisation with their TF store in Meerbusch fits well into the group's concept.     "Iams" now in UK grocery    Now it can be said officially: As we reported in pet 11/00, Iams Pet Food will be launching the "Iams" brand for dogs, previously only available in the USA, on the UK market as well this spring. The company will at the same time widen the distribution of "Iams" dog and cat food to food retailers. The "Eukanuba" premium brand is to continue to be exclusive to the specialist trade. This brand will incorporate the latest innovations developed by the Iams food research department. The managing director of Iams Germany, Frederik Bruijn, is quoted in a press release issued by the company as stating, "In Germany we are at the moment concentrating on the growth of our premium brand "Eukanuba" and further strengthening "Iams for cats" in the specialist trade. We shall, however, be observing the market carefully in order to determine the right point in time for adopting the worldwide Iams strategy. We are convinced that the two-brand strategy will provide a phase of growth for the premium segment when this moment actually comes. Such growth will also benefit the specialist trade."    Experts in the sector are unanimously of the opinion that the point of time referred to by Bruijn for launching "Iams" for both dogs and cats in the German food trade should be no later than next year. Though the brand is to be introduced…