Equestrian Trade News
T h e Vo i c e o f t h e E q u e s t r i a n I n d u s t r y
January 2018 Volume 42, No 1 Monthly
SEE YOU AT THE SHOW! Your official guide to BETA International 2018
T h e Vo i c e o f t h e E q u e s t r i a n I n d u s t r
T h e Vo i c e o f t h e E q u e s t r i a n I n
Inside our exclusive preview: • Products and people to see • Show deals for buyers • Seminars and CPD opportunities • Win stock worth £1,000s with ETN (stand Q1.1)
2018
NEC, Birmingham, UK 21-23 January www.beta-int.com
Main Sponsor
ETN is the official media partner of BETA International
PLUS • What to tell your customers about feed and bedding price hikes • Better business tips • Insurance: saddlery special
Celebrating
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Let’s meet at BETA International 21-23 January 2018, Birmingham
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BIGGER • BETTER • STRONGER
Find your RED GORILLA DEALS booklet in this issue of ETN! 01455 848 184
JANUARY 2018 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS
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... the magazine for the industry, about the industry, by the industry
IF you’re an online retailer, you don’t need me to tell you that it’s not all roses round the door… Across retailing in general, online sales are reportedly growing at three times the rate of those from brick-andmortar stores. And this is in part because of more offers of free shipping. But that’s led to another problem; a returns tsunami. Apparently, almost a third of web orders end up being sent back compared with 9% of physical store purchases. In some cases, the cost of processing and shipping so called boomeranged items can range from 20 to 65% of the cost of goods sold, according to carrier UPS. Buying stuff on the internet isn’t always rosy for the consumer either. I regretted doing some Christmas shopping online when a well-known courier failed to deliver. Their feeble excuse was that they couldn’t find my house because it didn’t show up on their sophisticated - and no doubt expensive - sat nav system. I’d long got fed up of waiting and took myself off for a ride. Wanting to try a new bridleway, I took an OS map with me. Oh, look, there’s my house marked on a paper map (RRP £7.99). Sometimes the old ideas are the best.
SPECIAL REPORT COVER STORY Feed and bedding price hike: what to tell your customers............................................................. 4 NEWS.................................................................... 6 PRODUCT NEWS Latest launches and clever ideas....................... 14 BETTER BUSINESS COVER STORY Crank up your credit control............................... 20 BETTER RETAILING How to be that helping hand............................... 22 WHAT YOUR CUSTOMERS REALLY WANT Top products in store for 2018............................ 24 PEOPLE Who’s new, who’s moved.................................... 26 INSURANCE FEATURE COVER STORY On the right tack: a saddlery special.................. 28 Cover for home workers..................................... 31 RE-BRAND DIARY Red Gorilla gets its official launch...................... 32 RETAILER PROFILE Meet Crewe Saddlery......................................... 34 TURNING BACK THE PAGES What ETN was reporting five, ten, 20 and 30 years ago....................................................... 36 BETTER BUSINESS COVER STORY Getting the best card transaction deals.............. 38 HOOF CARE FEATURE Advice from a farrier.......................................... 40 Foot perfect products......................................... 42 LEGAL DIGEST How to make distribution deals work................. 44 BETA MEMBERS’ PAGE....................................... 45 COUNTY COURT JUDGMENTS............................. 46 Equestrian Trade News
I’M probably giving away my age when I recall the FBI party and the Charles Owen disco that used to happen during BETA International. Although maybe the less said the better once it got past midnight… This year, just right for an era when we all work hard and play sensibly, is a new after-show drinks and nibbles gettogether on the show’s Sunday evening (21 January). It’s at the Fashion Show stage from 6pm, everyone’s invited, it’s all free and no-one will miss the BETA Gala Dinner, because that’s now on the Monday (22 January). Yes, BETA International is about doing business. Every year, visiting retailers also tell me how much they enjoy being there because it’s refreshing, invigorating, fascinating… It’s also a time to catch up with old acquaintances and make new ones. Share a handshake, joke or story with someone and it will stand you both in good stead for the next 12 months, and beyond.
JANUARY 2018
BETA INTERNATIONAL 2018 PREVIEW COVER STORY Your exclusive show guide from ETN........ 47 – 134 T h e Vo i c e o f t h e E q u e s t r i a n I n d u s t r y
Equestrian Trade News
THINKING about likely trends for 2018, my money’s on wholesalers absorbing and distributing more brands. And in some cases, buying-out those brands. Meanwhile retail experts are forecasting an upsurge in demand for specialist stock from niche outlets. They’re even talking about more niches within a niche; in our case dressage or show jumping shops for example. So it’s good to see brands working with retailers and using clever merchandising to create shops-in-shops. And also that wholesalers are increasingly putting forward their own brand names rather than their company names. The riding public loves labels. So combine the big brands’ glamour with the specialist retailer’s expert knowledge - and equestrian consumers get what they really want.
CONTENTS
T h e Vo i c e o f t h e E q u e s t r i a n I n d u s t r y
Equestrian Trade News
Editor’s Comment
T h e Vo i c e o f t h e E q u e s t r i a n I n d u s t r y
January 2018 Volume 42, No 1 Monthly
SEE YOU AT THE SHOW!
FRONT COVER: Gracing this month’s cover is Pip's Party by Yorkshire artist Ruth Buchanan. The limited edition print is from an original watercolour titled Chuckle. Find out more in Product News in this issue. Or visit www.ruthbuchanan.com
Your official guide to BETA International 2018
T h e Vo i c e o f t h e E q u e s t r i a n I n d u s t r y
T h e Vo i c e o f t h e E q u e s t r i a n I n d u s t r y
Inside our exclusive preview: • Products and people to see
Liz Benwell
• Show deals for buyers • Seminars and CPD opportunities • Win stock worth £1,000s with ETN (stand Q1.1)
2018
NEC, Birmingham, UK 21-23 January www.beta-int.com
Main Sponsor
www.equestriantradenews.com
ETN is the official media partner of BETA International
PLUS • What to tell your customers about feed and bedding price hikes • Better business tips • Insurance: saddlery special
EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS JANUARY 2018
Special Report
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Feed prices up? What to tell your customers… Retailers and their customers may have noticed some significant price increases from feed, supplement and bedding suppliers over the last few weeks. As the trend looks set to continue, the BETA Feed Committee looks at what’s driving these movements - so that retailers can give concerned customers some background information.
T
he current situation is the result of a ‘perfect storm’ of national and international feed ingredient availability issues.
Vitamin supply For the last three months or so there’s been escalating turmoil in the supply of vitamins for animal health, leading to unprecedented supply issues and price challenges. In historic terms, it’s accurate to say that the global vitamin market is in turmoil, which will have a direct effect on feed costs in 2018. The principal causes of this are the uprating of strong environmental restrictions in China, and a fire in a key production line in Germany at the end of October 2017. Vitamin manufacture is globalised estimates suggest China is the world’s largest producer of biotin, folic acid,
Equestrian Trade News Stockeld East Wing, Park, Wetherby,Park, Stockeld West Yorkshire LS22 4AW Wetherby, Tel: 01937 West Yorkshire 582111 LS22 4AW Fax: 01937 Tel: 01937 582111 582778 – Sales Email: Fax: 01937 sales@equestriantradenews.com 582778 – Sales Website: Email: info@equestriantradenews.com www.equestriantradenews.com Website: www.equestriantradenews.com Publisher: Equestrian Management Consultants Ltd Subscriptions Distributed on a controlled-circulation basis to the Editor: retail trade. Paid-for annual subscriptions are £39.95 Liz Benwell (UK), (Europe), £86.00 (rest of the world). Email:£73.00 editor@equestriantradenews.com Tel: 0345&6185007 Design Print: G.H. Smith &Sales: Son, Advertising Market Place, Easingwold, Nicki Lewis North Yorkshire Email: sales@equestriantradenews.com YO61 3AB Tel: 01937 582111 Tel: 01347 821329 Fax: Fax: 01937 01347 582778 822576
Email: etn@ghsmith.com Advertising Copy: Web: www.ghsmith.com Nicki Lewis Email: sales@equestriantradenews.com ISSN 1462-9526 Tel: 01937 582111
JANUARY 2018 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS
and vitamins B12, B6 and B1, and is also a major player in vitamin D3 production. Vitamins A and E are principally manufactured in Europe.
Disruption to European supplies of vitamins A and E The fire on 31 October in Germany at a major producer of vitamins and carotenoids has therefore proven to be significant. Citral, the key output from that facility, is a precursor for a number of products including vitamins A and E. The scale of the impact is unprecedented as around 40-45% of the global vitamin A feed grade market uses Citral from this plant. It is thought that the plant may not be operational again until March 2018, and the shortages this has created for these vitamins has driven up prices with vitamin A and E prices up over 12-fold and 5-fold respectively since June.
Publisher: Subscriptions Equestrian Consultants Ltdbasis to DistributedManagement on a controlled-circulation the retail trade. Paid-for annual subscriptions are Editor: £39.95 (UK), £73.00 (Europe), £86.00 (rest of the Liz Benwell world). Email: editor@equestriantradenews.com Tel: 6185007 The 0345 magazine is independent of all groups. Editorial views expressed in ETN are not Advertising Sales Manager: necessarily the official view of any organisation Nicki Lewis or group. Email: info@equestriantradenews.com Tel: 01937 582111 Copyright: All material is copyright Equestrian Management Advertising Sales Executive: Consultants Ltd. Beth Crow Email: Designbethc@beta-int.com & Print: Tel: G.H.01937 Smith582111 & Son, Market Place, Easingwold, Fax: 01937 582778 North Yorkshire The magazine is independent of all groups. YO61 3AB Editorial views expressed in ETN are not Tel: 01347 821329 necessarily official view of any organisation Fax: 01347 the 822576 or group. Email: etn@ghsmith.com Web: www.ghsmith.com Copyright:
All material is copyright Equestrian Management Consultants Ltd. ISSN 1462-9526
The impact of China Given its prominence, any issue affecting Chinese vitamin production affects the global market. More than 70% of global vitamin supply is produced in China. It has been well documented in the media that China is struggling with major
ADVERT INDEX Abbey England.................................................................61 (MSCL) The Academy for Master Saddle Fitting Consultants......................................................................16 Aiver Sport.......................................................................39 Agrihealth ...............................................................21 & 93 Agripix...........................................................................118 Alan Paine........................................................................79 Albert Kerbl......................................................................98 Allen & Page....................................................................15 The Animal Health Company............................................ 43 Back on Track...................................................................95 Baleno.............................................................................53 Battles..............................................................................99 Bedmax............................................................................33 BETA International....................................................28 & 55 Bransby Horses...............................................................122 Breyer Model Horses.......................................................115 British Horse Feeds...........................................................89 Champion........................................................................83 Charles Owen...................................................................57 Citrus Lime.......................................................................81 Comfybed......................................................................110 Dodson & Horrell Limited..................................................23 Earlswood Supplies Ltd.....................................................27 Easitill..............................................................................97 EKKIA.......................................................................67 & 68 Emerald Green Feeds......................................................121 Equetech..........................................................................17 Equestrian Creative Network...............................................8 Equine Careers.................................................................26 Equisafety........................................................................11 Faulks & Cox Ltd t/a Red Gorilla........................................ IFC Fynalite..........................................................................102 Gallop Equestrian.............................................................51 The Golden Paste Company............................................113 Grubs Boots...................................................................123 Harold Moore...................................................................37 Henry Bell..........................................................................5 Hilton Herbs...................................................................119 Horse & Country TV..........................................................77 Horslyx.............................................................................90 HUF Design....................................................................120 Instinct Polo...................................................................126 Jenkinson.....................................................................6 & 9 L S Sales (Farnam) Ltd.......................................................91 Lintbells Equine..............................................................129 Magic Brush.....................................................................35 Mars/Spillers.......................................................................7 Musto......................................................................70 & 71 NAF.............................................................................. OBC Perry Equestrian.............................................................101 Saracen Horse Feeds.........................................................19 Shearwater Insurance.......................................................31 Shires Equestrian Products..............................................106 SEIB.................................................................................29 Spoga..............................................................................10 Stiefel Innopha GmbH.....................................................117 Stierna Equestrian Sportswear ........................................103 Snowhill Trade Saddlery...................................................IBC That Stretchy Stuff Ltd.....................................................127 Toggi...............................................................................75 TopSpec.......................................................107, 109 & 111 Trade Suppliers Directory................................................128 Trilanco ...................................................................12 & 13 UK Equestrian Supplies...................................................108 United Sportproducts Germany GmbH.............................116 Vale Brothers..................................................................105 W F Young Inc t/a Absorbine.............................................87 Waldhausen KmbH Co KG..............................................125 Westgate Labs..................................................................14 Wildwash.........................................................................63
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5 pollution problems. Air quality has worsened in the first seven months of the year in China’s northern region where many of the vitamin factories are situated. The Chinese government has, as part of its 13th five year plan 2016-2020, published annual reduction targets of 20%. Enforced through strict legislation, and with high costs of compliance, this has led to many factory shut-downs, affecting the supply of vitamins from this region. Consequently, vitamin D has increased 5-fold; and B vitamins 3-fold. Vitamins K, pantothenic acid, choline and biotin have more than doubled. Reducing pollution in China is unlikely to happen short term. The current focus is on air quality, but in keeping with the ‘Beautiful China’ vision of the Chinese government, it is inevitable that there will be a future focus on other areas, such as water, that could affect supplies going forward.
Straw availability Close to home, poor weather conditions at harvest, combined with reduced yields from the dry spring of 2017 and demand from renewable energy plants for biofuel, has left straw for both feed and bedding use in short supply. So prices are being pushed to all time highs, as reported in Farmers Weekly. In diets, straw is an important component of many compound feeds as it provides a vital low energy, low sugar and starch ingredient in the diets of many horses and ponies that are overweight or at risk of laminitis. Many low energy feed and mixed-fibre chaff products contain a proportion of high quality straw, and companies making these feeds will see ingredient costs rise depending on how long their stocks of straw last. With no new crop available until next harvest, prices for straw are likely to remain elevated until at least mid-summer. As a bedding, straw is traditional and remains the preferred form for some horse keepers. The lack of straw has increased demand for other bedding materials across the whole livestock sector, not just horses, with woodchip, sawdust and paper all mooted as possible replacements for straw in livestock systems. This increased demand for alternative bedding forms will also put pressure on prices.
Impact on equine feeds Each of the ingredients affected currently fulfil important roles in equine diets. High quality feed straw can help extend eating times, support gastric health, and is an excellent ingredient in the diets of overweight animals or those at risk of laminitis. Vitamins A and E are essential nutrients. Levels found in preserved forages are low, meaning additional dietary supply is required for all horses and ponies receiving high conserved forage diets - including racehorses and competition horses, and those on restricted grazing. This time of year, short day lengths mean horses are limited in the amount of vitamin D they can synthesise, an effect that is exacerbated for stabled animals, and so an external supply is vital. There’s no doubt that manufacturers using these ingredients are working hard to identify ways to mitigate the price increases and to ensure continuity of supply. However, the size of the increase is likely to mean that manufacturers will have to pass some of it on to the customer and increase prices to some extent. Factory fires, poor harvests and pollution controls are all factors beyond the control of UK animal feed manufacturers. But undoubtedly the combination of a number of different issues all happening simultaneously will have a significant impact both on the industry and horse owners in 2018.
With thanks to the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) Feed Committee for producing this feature.
www.equestriantradenews.com
News
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Westgate EFI signs exclusive distribution deal with Trilanco
Retailer reprimanded over marketing claims
WESTGATE EFI - owner of the Gatehouse, Mark Todd Collection, Jumpers Horse Line, Rodney Powell, Saddlecraft, LunaRider and StableKit brands - has signed an exclusive distribution deal with Trilanco. Westgate EFI will close the wholesale arm of its business with effect from 9 January, 2018, and focus on its product ranges. It will not be selling directly to consumers. “The company has grown considerably since EFI merged with Westgate in 2006, but the real growth has been in our own brands, said Westgate EFI’s managing director Bruno Goyens de Heusch. “During that time, the equestrian trade has also changed significantly and with it our business model; the focus shifting away from wholesale product and more towards our role as a manufacturer. “In order to capitalise fully, we now need a forward thinking distribution partner that can best serve our brands. “Since they first expanded into the equestrian market, Trilanco has been the most dynamic player and I have therefore taken the decision to utilise their impressive new facility [Trilanco opened a £7 million distribution centre last year], which will allow us to focus our attention on the continued growth and development of WEFI’s highly valuable product ranges.” WEFI operations director Tracey Woods confirmed that WEFI’s own brands will all be distributed exclusively by Trilanco, across the UK and internationally. “We will not be selling direct to the end-user and we will continue to promote our products in support of retail stockists,” she added. “WEFI and Trilanco will be working closely to support retail customers during the changeover period and to take the brands forward.” The directors of Westgate EFI have expressed their sincere gratitude to the many staff, retailers and suppliers who have worked with and supported the company.
AN ONLINE retailer found itself in hot water over the way it marketed the Verm-X range and a joint supplement for dogs. VetUK, of Thirsk, North Yorkshire, presented the unauthorised products as a veterinary wormer (Verm-X) and the supplement for the treatment of joint disorders – in both cases contrary to the Veterinary Medicines Regulations. Last month, government agency the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) issued an improvement notice telling VetUK to remove all non-compliant material from its website. The retailer was also ordered to cease the sale or supply of all non-compliant labelled products. The products concerned included an own brand joint supplement for dogs and the Verm-X range, including equine versions. The offending material included website content and advertising ‘newsletter’ emails.
Hat standards unified BRITISH Eventing (BE), British Riding Clubs (BRC) and The Pony Club have unified required hat standards across all three bodies. The move means a single hat tag will be accepted across BE, Pony Club and BRC events from this year. The new aqua coloured hat tag will carry the logo of the body that checks the hat. This enables the source of the tagging to be tracked; while multi-discipline riders no longer need multiple tags on their hats. The 2018 hat rules include a small change to the AS/NZS 3838 standard for Pony Club and BE, both of which will now only be accepting it from 2006 onwards. All three bodies have issued an aide memoire for officials listing the standards and quality assurance marks to be used.
JANUARY 2018 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS
New wholesalers for feed firm SIMPLE System Horse Feeds is now available to buy through Henry Cole wholesalers and Bones wholesalers. Henry Cole distributes in the south Midlands, south-west and parts of Wales. Bones (now a trading division of Henry Cole & Co Ltd) supplies retailers in the south-west.
TRIBUTE TREVOR STOCKILL: an extraordinary product inventor, horseman and pharmacist. Trevor Stockill passed away in November, 2017. He was 80 and died from complications related to surgery. Trevor and his late wife, Josephine, founded Stockcare 35 years ago and set about manufacturing and developing the Gold Label brand. Both were pharmacists and immersed in Yorkshire’s equestrian scene. Since then, Gold Label has become one of the industry’s most trusted and enduring brands thanks to its unique and highly effective formulations and competitive pricing policy. Those who knew Trevor will remember him, not only for his extensive depth of knowledge but for his generosity, expert advice and, in particular, his wicked sense of humour. His was a life well-lived. He hunted with the Holderness until the age of 78 - a total of 45 seasons, and proudly supported his daughter Amanda in her years on the show jumping circuit. Latterly, Trevor had enjoyed travelling throughout Europe with his companion Liz - in search of the best seafood and even better red wines. Last summer he celebrated his 80th birthday with a fine party. Amanda permanently joined Stockcare in 1997 following the loss of her Mother and worked alongside Trevor, who remained involved to the end. “Right from the early years, his hands-on approach kept us all on our toes and his tall tales kept us entertained,” Amanda told ETN. “He had the sharpest mind and was still developing new and innovative products that we will take a particular pride in bringing to market this year. “The family would like to thank all those in the trade for their loyalty and support over the years and assure you that, just as he would have expected, it is business as usual at Stockcare. “Myself, my husband Jason, Pippa [Bruce, commercial manager] and the rest of the team are committed to his legacy of excellence and innovation and will continue to provide our customers with the best service and the best products.”
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91% of horse owners surveyed* would purchase SPEEDY-MASH Fibre if stocked in their local feed store
Part of the *Survey conducted in May 2017 with 75 horse owners
range from SPILLERS®
For more information call our Care-Line: 01908 226626 or visit www.spillers-feeds.com
®Registered Trademark. ©Mars, 2017.
News
Saddle fitters form breakaway group A NUMBER of MSFC qualified saddle fitters have set up a new group. MSFC iQ is primarily a register available to the public who are looking for independent, qualified saddle fitters. Anyone qualified with MSFC International between 2013 and 2017 is welcome to join on proof of their qualification. “Importantly, those qualified during this period were trained and assessed by SMS QSF (Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Saddle Fitter) assessors,” said an MSFC iQ spokesman. In addition, MSFC iQ is a social media forum for exchange of ideas, ongoing professional development and advice between the group of qualified, professional saddle fitters. Steph Bradley, a dual qualified MSFC and SMS saddle fitter, is a founder member of MSFC iQ. Work independently “Our new group is specifically for active saddle fitters who work independently of any particular brands of saddles or alliance with equine therapy bodies. Objectivity is key,” said Steph, who runs North Wales based Freedom Saddlery. "We believe that saddle fitting and equine therapy are two very distinct professions, and keeping the roles separate enables ongoing objectivity. “We prefer to work alongside other equine professionals including recognised professional bodies. We also subscribe to an identical Professional Code of Conduct as used by SMS QSFs. Working in alignment with these groups ensures clients get the very best advice, and, more importantly, the welfare of horses remains at the heart of all we do.” Find out more at www.msfciq.com
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Upmarket brands win right to block third party retailing LUXURY brands are celebrating a landmark judgment of the European Court given last month, writes Stephen Sidkin, partner at Fox Williams LLP. In a case concerning Coty, the European Court ruled that a clause in company’s selective distribution agreement prohibiting authorised distributors from using Amazon to sell Coty cosmetics was lawful. At the heart of the Court’s decision was the principle that discernible third party platforms (such as Amazon and eBay) detract from the luxury image of luxury goods. In contrast, non-discernible third party platforms do not. The Court pointed out that luxury brands have no contractual relationship with, for example, Amazon. As such, Amazon is not required to comply with Coty’s quality criteria which it has imposed on all its authorised distributors under the terms of its selective distribution agreement. In view of the Court’s decision, a luxury brand will be able to enforce a provision in its selective distribution agreement restricting the use by authorised distributors of discernible third party platforms for the resale of its luxury goods where : • the provision has the objective The equestrian trade has more than its fair of preserving the share of luxury brands. luxury image of the goods in question; • the provision is laid down uniformly and not applied in a discriminatory fashion; and • the provision is proportionate in the light of the objective pursued. In my opinion the Court’s decision can be expected to result in: 1. luxury brands which have suitable provisions in their selective distribution agreement enforcing those provisions in order to clamp down on authorised distributors using Amazon, eBay, and other discernible third party platforms. 2. Luxury brands which do not have such provisions in their selective distribution agreements looking to include such provisions as soon as possible! 3. Amazon, eBay, and other discernible third party platforms looking to have direct contractual relationships with luxury brands in order to be able to continue to offer such brands on their platforms. 4. In the near future, an increase in the price of grey market* products of luxury brands as grey marketers look to fill the void which has been left on discernible third party platforms. *A grey market is an unofficial market in goods that have not been obtained from an official supplier. • For more information, contact Stephen Sidkin, Fox Williams LLP via www.foxwilliams.com www.equestriantradenews.com
News
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New owner for retail software firm PETER Tilley, an experienced retailer, has acquired Epos systems specialist Easitill. The owner of a chain of 14 Proper Job stores across the southwest, Mr Tilley has been an Easitill customer for more than 15 years. He bought shares in the Northants based company last year
Horse&Hound publisher to be sold THE sale of Horse&Hound’s owner TimeInc to rival American publisher Meredith was agreed at the end of November 2017. Meredith, whose media stable includes Better Homes and Family Circle, is to pay $2.8 billion dollars for TimeInc in an all cash transaction. A much talked about aspect of the acquisition is Meredith’s securing of $650 million from Koch Equity Development. The publisher says it will use these funds to “finance the transaction and refinance existing debt.” Koch Equity Development is controlled by billionaire businessmen, noted political conservatives and brothers Charles and David Koch. The acquisition of TimeInc is expected to be completed in the first quarter of this year (2018). Meredith, which also operates television and digital businesses, says the TimeInc takeover will create a diversified media and marketing company with $2.7 billion of total advertising revenues. Neither TimeInc nor Meredith was prepared to comment on Horse&Hound’s future.
www.spogahorse.com
International Trade Fair for Equestrian Sports
and has now become the new owner. Easitill was founded by Robert Gardner in 1988 and has operated as a family business providing Epos, labelling systems and websites to garden centres, pet and equestrian retailers. Mr Gardner has now retired. However his daughters remain involved with Easitill; Helen Gardner is its technical director while Claire Harris is responsible for web development. Easitill says it will be “business as usual” following the change of ownership. The company will be exhibiting at BETA International 2018 this month.
Shooting folk get complimentary Game Fair entry MEMBERS of BASC, Britain’s largest shooting organisation, are to receive complimentary entry to The Game Fair for each of the next three years. Last year, 28,000 BASC members – of a total of 116,000 reported by organisers - attended Hatfield House. A similar arrangement will give BASC members complimentary entry, with reduced admission for their guests, until 2020. James Gower, managing director of The Game Fair, said: “We were delighted with the turn out from BASC members at this year’s event… The feedback from guests and exhibitors was excellent… Many of our gun traders reported record sales this year which must have been influenced by this fantastic audience.” This year sees the 60th running of The Game Fair which returns to Ragley Hall in Warwickshire for its Diamond Jubilee on 27 - 29 July. The event heads back to Hatfield House in 2019, then revisits to Ragley in 2020.
Secure your ticket online now at: www.spogahorse.com/tickets
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Are waterproofs facing a soggy future?
UPCOMING European environmental legislation means outdoor clothing brands are starting to change the way they manufacture waterproofs, it’s been claimed. And the upshot is that new jackets won't perform as well as older ones, warns re-proofing specialist Storm. The wash-in product supplier says new legislation will ban the use of the perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) currently used to apply a high-performance Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish to clothing and gear. Although eco-friendly replacement DWR ingredients are available, they are proving less effective than PFC-based treatments, adds Storm. So garments’ performance can be reduced once they start becoming masked with dirt and oil from regular use. Storm cleaner and waterproofer can be used in the same wash cycle, saving water and energy, says the company.
News
Store raid was “well planned” AROUND 100 pairs of country boots and dozens of clippers have been stolen from a Lincolnshire saddlery shop. Thieves broke into Spirit Country Store in Waltham near Grimsby overnight on 29/30 November. Retailer Nicky North told ETN it was most likely a carefully planned raid as the store was well stocked ahead of Christmas. “They forced the outer shutter door and broke the door behind it,” she said. “They had also turned round the [security] cameras and even blocked the road with benches from the local park. They knew what they were doing.” Nicky, who was on holiday in Bratislava when the shop was broken into, said she is insured. But she wouldn’t know the full value of stock taken until she returns next week. Among the items known to have been stolen are up to 100 pairs of Kanyon, Mark Todd, White Horse, Gallop, Taurus and Brogini long boots, plus Hy long and short boots. Also taken were Hunter and Sherwood Forest coats, Lazy Jacks clothing, Clipperman clippers and trimmers, and a big box of Gallop and Hy jodhpurs. Lincolnshire Police are investigating. Anyone with information should contact them on 101.
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STOCKING MORE THAN 250 BRANDS, INCLUDING:
VISIT US AT BETA INTERNATIONAL STAND J7.1 WORLDWIDE DELIVERY
24/7 ONLINE ORDERING
JANUARY 2018 EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS
SALES MANAGERS ACROSS UK&I
EXTENDED OPENING HOURS www.equestriantradenews.com
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TRILANCO, THE HOME OF GREAT BRANDS New brands, more choice
Throughout 2017, Trilanco has introduced equestrian and country clothing to its evergrowing product catalogue. The wholesaler has also secured exclusive trade only products meaning there are styles and lines that are only available from Trilanco. “We’ve grown our range of brands substantially, and with over 16,000 products we have lots to talk about at BETA International this year,” said Martin Balmer, Managing Director of Trilanco.
Friendly, knowledgeable team
Trilanco’s sales team will be on-hand throughout the three-day event to answer queries, place orders and to help buyers take advantage of special BETA show offers. There will also be qualified R-SQPs available to advise on animal medicines.
Convenience and inspiration
“We want to be the ‘one stop shop’ for equestrians and the associated country trade, so we’re bringing together great equine, pet and agricultural brands at competitive prices to help create a fantastic trade buying experience,” “We are also excited to be showcasing the new ranges on our new and larger stand which has been designed to make it easier for retailers to view and browse the products,” said Martin. “If you’re searching for new stock and inspiration, visit Trilanco at BETA International!”
For more information visit www.trilanco.com General Enquiries: 01772 754810 | Sales: 01772 754844 facebook.com/Trilanco
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Trilanco Ltd, Coronation Way, Mill Farm Sports Village, Wesham, Preston PR4 3JZ www.equestriantradenews.com
EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS JANUARY 2018