Retail giant turns its attention to pets

Leclerc is a cooperative association of hundreds of independent retailers. Under the umbrella of the retail company with an annual turnover of more than € 44 bn, a wide range of businesses operates including food hypermarkets, electrical stores, drugstore chains, car hire companies, car repair shops, travel agents, DIY stores, garden centres and sports retailers. The company is active in a number of other European countries too. Leclerc is renowned for marketing its ranges at the lowest prices in the region. This factor in particular and the great power that Leclerc wields in the market have inspired considerable respect among many players in the French pet supplies sector.

In its food hypermarkets, Leclerc sells an extensive range of pet food. However, many of its 43 garden centres spread across France now feature specialist pet departments stocking a full range of products and a wide selection of pets. Aquarium fish and reptiles are offered for sale along with small mammals and cage birds. 

Large pictograms in different colours indicate the respective pet category on the retail area. Display islands presenting accessories, for example, are situated between the fully stocked rows of shelves. In the pet food category, Leclerc covers all price categories from budget level to super-premium. As well as branded products, Leclerc also stocks a broad spectrum of private label products such as P'tit ami and Lydog. In addition to the classic pet ranges it also retails equestrian products and items for hobby farmers in its stores. The DIY stores and garden centres are normally located in big shopping centres that also accommodate other Leclerc distribution channels. The shopping centres are mostly situated in industrial zones not far from town centres.