A revolution in progress

Experts estimate the number of pet stores in the Russian capital at over 400. This figure doesn’t include the many mini-stores offering a full range of products on just a few square metres. In this large and diverse city, the latter assume the role of a “corner shop” supplier. They are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with the mostly professionally run pet store chains, however. Bethowen, Cats and Dogs, Markvet and Dinozavrik are the leading retail chains with a large number of branches in and around Moscow. Another relatively new chain is Miska, which nevertheless aims to increase the number of stores it operates as quickly as possible with regular new openings. Compared with pet stores in the USA, the UK or Germany, the stores in Moscow tend to have a small retail area that rarely exceeds 250 m2 and often only covers 100 m2. Most of these shops are located in the shopping malls that are springing up all over Moscow, in close proximity to other specialist stores with a high footfall, or along well-frequented main roads. The majority only came into existence following the fall of the Soviet Union, and many have only appeared in the last few years. One exception is the Arbat Pet Shop in the classy and historic Arbat Street, close to the Smolenskaya Metro Station. This is regarded as the oldest and biggest pet store in Moscow. Clean and tidy One striking feature of most pet stores in Moscow is the very smart, clean impression that they make. The products are stacked neatly on the shelves, with relatively few gaps visible. Giving advice to customers is considered a high priority, and the stores employ a suitably large number of staff accordingly. Looking at the products on sale in the stores leads one to wonder whether this is actually Russia. Russian brands are virtually non-existent, with western manufacturers dividing the market up between themselves. Alongside the leading manufacturers like Mars and Nestlé, other companies with a strong presence are Royal Canin, Procter & Gamble, Hill’s, Trixie, Karlie, Hagen, Beaphar and Ferplast. Numerous products from the American pet food manufacturer Midwestern Pet Foods and the German companies Interquell, Bosch and Bewital are also to be found on the shelves. In the aquatics segment, Tetra, Sera, Eheim and Aquael in particular are well positioned. The focus here is on freshwater aquariums; marine aquariums still tend to play a subordinate role in Russia at present, according to sector experts. High…