Pet retail in the far north

In 1992, Lithuania's population was 3.7 mio, but a large number of young people in particular turned their back on their homeland and went abroad, because they saw better prospects for the future there. And no wonder: Lithuania was hit particularly hard by the financial crisis.
Lithuania, the most southerly Baltic state, borders Latvia, Belarus, Poland and Kaliningrad, and has close links with its neighbours. The capital Vilnius is the cultural and economic heart of the country with a population of 540 000. It boasts a large number of modern shopping centres, and these are home to many of the pet stores. For instance, in the north of the city, in P. Lukšio gatve˙, the Senukai shopping centre and the leading Lithuanian pet store chain Kika vie for custom just a few metres apart from one another. Senukai Senukai operates approx. 100 stores in Lithuania and Latvia. The range in its hypermarkets extends from domestic appliances, garden products, furniture and household items to sports goods and automotive products. Some of the stores, including the one to the north of Vilnius, also have a pet department. This was made much larger in course of a refurbishment and now stocks a complete range of pet food and accessories. The range covers all product categories and includes the leading brands in each category, but no live animals are offered for sale. Senukai has an aggressive pricing strategy, which is reflected in its special offers at regular intervals and in discounts for loyalty card holders. Customers can buy pet products from the company's online store also. Kika While Senukai focuses primarily on a few strong suppliers like Royal Canin, Mars, Nestlé, Brit, Aquael and JRS, the range of goods on offer at Kika is much wider. The chain offers a large portfolio of private labels as well as the usual brands, and these own-label products are available in all price categories. Its presen-tation of pet food is unusual, with the main pet food products offered at special rates on prominent platforms in front of the actual shelving. Customers will find accessories for their pet on the opposing wall of shelving. The store to the north of Vilnius also features live pets at the rear of the store, with small mammals and cage birds for sale along with ornamental fish and turtles. Spacious pet houses and aquariums are presented around the pet enclosures. Ceiling hangers indicating the various pet categories aid navigation around the store. At the time of our visit, the…