Das Futterhaus launches online shop

The German pet speciality retail chain Das Futterhaus has launched its online shop. End customers in Germany can now order around 5 000 pet products for home delivery, the company said in a press release. With the new online shop, the family-run franchise is continuing its transformation into an omni-channel retailer.

The cross-channel shopping experience serves as a customer-focused complement to strengthen the core business and increase brand awareness, also with a view to further expansion. However, bricks and mortar stores will continue to be the main focus. "With the opening of our online shop, we are expanding our traditional points of contact and fulfilling our customers' wish to be able to shop with us in the digital world as well", explains Managing Director Kristof Eggerstedt.

Following the digitalisation of customer communication over the past two years, the online shop is the next step in this direction. “The aim is to bind customers even more closely to our brand and win back online sales lost to competitors.“

Hamburg-based Novomind played a key role in the implementation. “We have kept the online shop lean on the cost side and at the same time made it so flexible that we can quickly integrate additional functions online and in-store," reports Eggerstedt. When it comes to fulfilment, Das Futterhaus deliberately relies on the Fiege Group, one of the largest logistics providers in Europe, and its many years of experience.

With currently 442 stores in Germany and Austria, Das Futterhaus is one of the largest pet retailers in these countries. The Austrian market will also be connected to the online shop soon, but the date is not yet known, said a company spokeswoman.