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PET NEEDS AMAZON PET PROFILES SHOW THE LOVE Amazon Australia has launched Pet Profiles, a feature it claims will make it even easier for Aussies to take care of their furry friends. Pet owners can now create a Pet Profile on Amazon.com.au, providing them with personalised product recommendations and discounts on pet related items. Eligible customers will receive $10 off their next eligible purchase over $30 after creating a Pet Profile, and a gift in their pet’s birthday month. “Aussies love their pets, so we’re excited to give Australian pet owners another way to demonstrate the love that they have for them,” Amazon Australia Country Manager Matt Furlong said. “With the launch of Pet Profiles, Amazon Australia is hoping to make it easier for pet owners to find product recommendations personalised to the needs and preferences of their pets. This is just another way for Aussies to spoil their pets and access savings in doing so.” Alongside the launch of Pet Profiles, Amazon Australia says it continues to expand the existing Pet Supplies offering with hundreds of thousands of products including accessories, beds, travel products, grooming products, toys, care items and food. FROM PAGE 60 priced economy brands and range more premium brands, which are in strong market growth. This could benefit the offering to shoppers and benefit the margin.” In regard to Purina, Mr Hillier says its brands will continue to support evolving consumer needs, focusing on providing evidence-based nutrition, optimal taste and natural and quality ingredients. “At Purina, it’s no secret that pets are our passion,” he said. “It drives everything we do. In fact, our commitment to dogs, cats and their owners has made us a world leader in pet care and we’re pretty proud of that.” Masterpet’s long tale in the pet aisle Masterpet has been helping people care for their pets for more than 90 years. According to the national distributor, it has built a “solid reputation” for innovation and supply in areas such as pet accessories, health care and premium food. The company assists retailers with a uniform footprint of strategic research tools, which Mr Burns says allow for better brand blocking on the planogram. He advises retailers to make the aisle easier to shop with distinct category offerings. “This allows consumers to identify the products to match their needs,” Mr Burns said. One of many brands within Masterpet’s portfolio is VitaPet, said to be one of Australia’s “market leading” brands in dog and cat treating. This month, VitaPet is launching two new bite-sized chews for dogs: Pocket Trainers and Pocket Rewards. “VitaPet has been driving consistent double-digit growth to the dog treats category,” Mr Burns said, “and we see this trend continuing as consumers seek premium health real meat treats.” Assurance with insurance Animal Medicines Australia’s 2019 research indicates that pet insurance appears to have leapfrogged both minding and grooming over the past three years to become the fifth largest category in pet products and services. Australians now report spending nearly $745 million on pet insurance for their dogs and cats, which represents a “sharp” 56 per cent increase in three years. In recent months, Coles entered the pet insurance market, now offering accident and illness cover for cats and dogs. In partnership with Guild Insurance, Coles Pet Insurance is said to be “competitively priced” with benefits including up to 100 per cent cover prepaid on pre-approved vet bills, a “shorter” waiting period of 21 days, guaranteed lifetime cover and healthy pet discounts each year for customers who claim less often. In a study by 5th Dimension, Coles says only one in four dog owners and one in 10 cat owners had pet insurance, with most saying existing pet insurance policies didn’t provide good value for money. Coles Pet Insurance offers two levels of cover for dogs and cats: Basic cover for accidents and the most common illnesses, and Premium, which adds coverage for a broader range of conditions. In addition, Coles says, flybuys members will earn points faster in the pet food aisle when they take out a Coles Pet Insurance product. 62 RETAIL WORLD AUG, 2020