Pet market
Competition for Fressnapf: 75 new zooroyal markets planned
The pet market in Germany is booming. The Rewe Group also calls on the plan. The small branch network of Zooroyal so far is to be significantly enlarged in the coming years.
The REWE group would like to expand on the pet market from 2026. In the next few years, around 75 new shops in the Zooroyal animal specialist market chain are to be opened in Germany. This was said by a spokesman for the German Press Agency. You are already looking for suitable locations, the markets are to be operated by independent Rewe merchants.
Zooroyal has been part of the Rewe Group since 2014 and was originally a pure online shop. The first stationary business was opened in 2022, now there are four, all in Hamburg and the surrounding area. According to the markets, the markets have a range of more than 15,000 articles for pet food and accessories. Services such as dog washing stations, fur care, veterinarians and laundromats for pet accessories are also offered.
“The pet market is growing and this is sustainable. Pets are viewed as full family members in many households and have had a similar importance as children,” said Eva Stüber, member of the management of the IFH Cologne trade institute.
Cats more popular pet
The pet market in Germany experienced a boom during Corona pandemic. The number of pets increased by almost a million in the first year of Pandemie. Despite the price increases and the general retention of purchase, the pet industry for the first time cracked the sales brand of seven billion euros in 2023. That was 9.5 percent more than in the previous year. The largest providers in Germany include Fressnapf, Futterhaus and the online retailer Zooplus.
The REWE group sees a strategic growth field in the industry. “The trade in animal needs is growing continuously-online, but also inpatient,” said Rewe board member Peter Maly. Industry circles say that the margins in the pet market are particularly attractive compared to those in the food trade.
According to the industrial association pet needs, more than 34 million dogs, cats, small mammals and ornamental birds lived in Germany in 2023. Cats (15.7 million) and dogs (10.5 million) are still most popular.
dpa
Source: Stern
