The 29th China International Pet Aquarium Exhibition (hereinafter referred to as the "Great Wall Pet Exhibition") has successfully concluded. The four-day exhibition attracted 1,230 high-quality exhibitors and professional visitors from 125 countries and regions to exchange ideas. The total number of visitors during the exhibition period reached 84,890, an increase of 21% compared to last year, bringing more active purchasing demands to the event. With the continuous expansion of the international audience size, the focus of procurement and communication at the exhibition site has gradually shifted to different aspects from the past. 

While mature markets such as Europe and the United States maintain a stable purchasing pace, the consultation activity in emerging markets such as the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa has significantly increased. Besides the long-standing friends of the China International Pet Show for over 20 years, more and more emerging forces have chosen to come to the exhibition to expand their business. Although they are visiting for the first time, they will spread the news of the CIPS to more places and invite more colleagues to come. 

At the exhibition site, we specially invited some buyers to participate in the interview, allowing them to interpret the current situation and trends of the pet aquarium market from their first-hand perspective. This series consists of three parts, and this is the final installment of the series. 

APLUS

In the context of the continuous upgrading of the global pet industry and the development of consumer demands towards health and refinement, the Korean market, with its mature pet-owning culture, rapid penetration of e-commerce, and strong demand for high-quality products, has become one of the core regions for pet consumption in Asia. The leading pet supplies company in South Korea, APLUS, has been deeply involved in the industry for over 30 years since its establishment in 1994. It is a benchmark brand and an important market shaper in the field of pet food and supplies import and distribution in South Korea. During this exhibition, the director of the new business development department of APLUS, Tae S. Park, shared the company's main business, its profound insights into the Korean market, and the prospects for in-depth cooperation with Chinese supply chain partners. 

▲ Tae S. Park, Director of New Business Development Department of APLUS (left)

Q: Could you please introduce your company and its main business? 

A: APLUS was established in 1994. This year marks its 31st anniversary. It is a pet supplies importer and distributor, mainly dealing in cat food, dog food, and pet accessories. The products are mainly sold in large stores, offline outlets, and online platforms in South Korea. 

▲ Partial product display on the APLUS website 

Q: What was the purpose and experience of your participation in CIPS? 

A: Since the company was established, it has participated in CIPS over 10 times. But for me, this is my third participation. Every year, the main purpose is to search for new products and new suppliers, expand the product line, and also maintain communication with existing partners. 

Q: How do you view the pet market in South Korea and the preferences of consumers? 

A: The pet market in South Korea has grown rapidly since the pandemic. Consumers place great emphasis on the quality and price of products, and tend to choose those with good quality and high value for money. 

Q: Which products did you pay attention to at this exhibition? 

A: The main focus is on the new pet food, as well as items like cat climbing frames and cat scratching posts. The advantage of Chinese pet products lies in the continuous improvement of quality and the competitiveness of prices, which is very attractive in the global market. 

Q: Do you have any plans to develop the Chinese market in the future? What's your assessment of CIPS? 

A: Yes, we currently have the intention to expand into the Chinese market. We hope to introduce our brand and products to China in the future. CIPS is a comprehensive professional pet show. We also plan to visit it every year and look forward to establishing more stable and in-depth cooperative relationships with Chinese suppliers through this platform.