"We are driving consolidation of the sector"

The Fressnapf Group has ended its anniversary year with record annual sales of 2.65 bn euros, equivalent to an increase of 351 mio euros or 15.2 per cent. These figures were released by the company yesterday, 24 February, at its customary annual press conference, which took place digitally for the first time.
Sales totalling over 1 bn euros were recorded in the international business of the ten country subsidiaries for the first time. 1.09 bn euros equates to growth of 20.3 per cent or 183 mio euros. In its domestic market in Germany, where Fressnapf increased its market share by 0.7 per cent to approx. 25 per cent in 2020, annual sales amounted to 1.57 bn euros - growth of 167 mio euros or 11.9 per cent. Growth on the existing retail area for the Fressnapf Group totalled 13.2 per cent.
Europe's leading pet product retailer named the online channel as its foremost growth driver last year. With a sales increase of 45 per cent and 50 mio euros to around 160 mio euros, planned growth was even surpassed considerably. As well as online retailing, proprietor and company founder Torsten Toeller cited bricks-and-mortar stores as another channel that benefited from the coronavirus crisis, whereas discount stores were the biggest losers. DIY stores and garden centres had also lost out in the pet segment on account of the lockdown, during which many of these outlets were forced to close.
Fressnapf aims to go on the offensive again this year with a major investment initiative. The store chain plans to spend 40 mio euros alone on the addition of over 100 new outlets in Europe, with further funds available for potential acquisitions. It is focusing in particular on France, Italy, Poland and Denmark. "We are driving consolidation of the sector and have shown this most recently with the successful takeover of the Danish competitor Pet World with 36 stores and online shops," said director Dr Hans-Jörg Gidlewitz. Over 30 mio euros are being injected into expanding the online channel in all eleven countries in which the Fressnapf Group operates and into the relevant technical infrastructure for the ecosystem.
Since last year, an expansion strategy has also been in place for the 16 exclusive brands in the Fressnapf Group's range. These have now broken the billion-euro sales barrier again with a total of 1.32 bn  euros, signifying growth of 146 mio euros or 12.4 per cent compared with the previous year. The exclusive brands are being distributed via strategic partner Zoo Hobby in Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia for the first time. These long-term strategic partnerships are also to be extended to countries in which the Fressnapf Group has no stationary stores or online business of its own.