Pets Corner has reported strong growth in its first quarter, with like-for-like sales rising 4.7%.
Last year, the UK’s second-largest pet chain achieved a turnover of £56.5m and is forecast to hit £58.3m this year. Crucially, 98% of its sales are made instore, not online.
CEO of Pet Family Dean Richmond said: “Over 60% of our stores have been refitted to include our new services including Puppy Hour, Pet Food Expert and our new ROR range of raw foods.
“In addition, Yora, our new sustainable pet food, has been a tremendous success. These new, exciting initiatives and products are encouraging customer loyalty and increasing sales.
“We believe that despite the competition posed by online shopping, pet owners will always want to visit stores that can offer them expert advice as well as wanting to take advantage of services that cannot be provided online such as Puppy Hour and our grooming spas.”
150-STORE MILESTONE
Now in its 50th year of trading, Pets Corner employs 900 staff and has stores in England and Wales and opened its 150th store in Cobham, Surrey.
Dogwood, its in-house natural grooming spa, operates from nine locations, with 60 more planned over the next five years at a cost of £2.7m. Dogwood’s like-for-like sales grew by 64% in the first quarter of 2019.
Dean said: “Our specialisation in natural products and classroom-trained staff grew first-quarter EBITDA to £3.52m, up 8%.
“We continue to win new customers after a great first quarter (Oct to Dec 18) where like-for-like sales rose 4.7%.”
Pets Corner designs its own pet products and foods to ‘make them better, not cheaper’, and puts the environment before profit, using renewable electricity despite it costing more. It also donates 5% of its net profit to charity.
