Loyal sponsor of the Zaminos show, the big meeting of actors in the animal world of Reunion, Royal Canin will celebrate its first decade on the island next June. This anniversary is also an opportunity to announce the creation of a specifically Reunionese management.
The next Zanimos Show will be held from June 4 to 6, 2022 at the Saint-Denis Exhibition Center. Both popular and professional meeting of the Reunion animal world, it could not be held last year due to Covid. So we can expect record attendance this year. : you should know that Zanimos, in terms of attendance, occupies second place after the Salon de la Maison ! It is therefore natural that Royal Canin, son principal sponsor, choose this event to mark ten years in Reunion. “We are actually celebrating our 10th anniversary plus a year ! The health context has forced us to postpone the festivities” explains Sylvain Barossy, Director Royal Canin DOM-TOM, architect of his ten years of activity and who, regarding local activity, prepares to hand over to a Director Royal Canin Réunion (see the interview opposite). " Since its creation, we are partners of this event. And “because there is no chance”, this year Zanimos and the Reunion feline association will also celebrate their 10th anniversary! Many activities will be organized, such as dog and cat competitions, games, shows, etc. » says Sylvain Barossy.
Royal Canin in Reunion
The last ten years have seen the Reunion petfood market structured. In Reunion as elsewhere, Royal Canin, world and national number one in petfood, is a reference in premium and specialized animal nutrition. We know less than, behind this brand, is a French success story. Marketed on the specialized market (hors GMS), Royal Canin was created in 1968 by Jean Cathary, a veterinarian from Aimargues, town located between Nîmes and Montpellier. Quickly, the quality of its products was recognized at the national level. Reunion Island was one of the first export territories for Royal Canin products.. From the beginning of the 80s, Royal Canin entrusts the distribution of its products to importers, until the creation of its Reunion subsidiary in 2011. Drawing on advances in scientific research, the Royal Canin ranges now represent more than 400 references in Reunion, ranging from products as varied as food formulations suitable for dogs with kidney failure to specific products suitable for Persian kittens. ! Royal Canin products are distributed through three distinct distribution channels. In veterinary clinics for therapeutic and prevention products. In specialized stores (pet stores, garden centers, DIY stores, grooming salons) for so-called “maintenance” products. On the professional circuit, including breeding, clubs canins, refuges, institutions employing dogs (army, police, firefighters, etc.), to which Royal Canin sells technical and specific ranges. “Note that the Royal Canin products that we import to Reunion always come from our historic factory located in Aimargues” underlines Sylvain Barossy.
in specialized stores and in the professional circuit
SUPPORT FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST ANIMAL ROAM
On our island, a recent university thesis estimates the number of cats at 160,000 and dogs at 220,000, including 50,000 stray dogs ! Around 85% of dogs and cats in pounds are euthanized in Reunion, compared to 7% of dogs and 35% of cats in mainland France. Very concerned by this situation, Royal Canin is acting on several fronts to make things happen. For animal welfare and to limit wandering, Royal Canin supports animal protection associations, such as the Humane Society, the Reunion Animal Assistance and Protection Collective, etc., who raise public awareness about “responsible” adoption and the needs of dogs and cats. Royal Canin also supports veterinarians in their prevention and encouragement of sterilization and compulsory animal identification., the ICAD.
Three questions for Sylvain Barossy, Overseas Director of Royal Canin
How does petfood, Royal Canin in particular, did he get through the health crisis ?
During the pandemic period, the distribution of animal feed has been defined by the prefecture as an essential activity. Our distribution circuit was thus able to maintain its activity. Furthermore, during periods of isolation, an increase in adoptions and an acceleration in the consideration of animal welfare was observed. All of these factors have helped drive the growth of our category.. However, this should be mitigated in Reunion, because for two years we have accumulated logistical inconveniences linked to tensions in the global maritime transport sector, added to the irregularity of shipping companies to Reunion Island and local port congestion. I thank all of our customers for their patience because this situation creates undeniable commercial discomfort..
Royal Canin being, all distribution channels combined, local market leader, what are your objectives now in Reunion ?
The quality and technicality of our products are the strength of Royal Canin. Our goal is to maintain our leadership. This is why our priority is to stabilize our activity despite logistical inconveniences and a health context that is not favorable to optimal engagement of our services.. This quest requires a perpetual questioning of our approach and our organization. In order to adapt to our new contextual realities, we have strengthened our logistics and administrative team by creating new roles. Since many years, my role as DOM-TOM Director consists of, in addition to managing our subsidiary in Reunion, to coordinate the activities of our West Indian structures and to lead our network of importers. In 2022, in order to best support our Reunion team, to regain essential proximity with our partners and to refocus our local activity, we create the role of Director of Reunion Island. After 10 years at the head of the subsidiary, it is important to inject new energies into our structure !
Cdoes this mean you are withdrawing from the activity ?
Indeed, I will accompany this transition and gradually withdraw. Besides, the Zanimos show in June will be an opportunity for our partners to meet the new Meeting Director. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our partners and all of the employees of Royal Canin and MTL., our logistician, who have co-written this beautiful adventure for 10 years. Being from Reunion Island, my project is now to invest my time and energy in the development of local activities.
