Leading in South-Eastern Europe

Pet Network International was formed in 2018 through the acquisition and merger of three pet store chains in South-Eastern Europe: Pet Centar in Croatia, Serbia and Romania, Animax and Maxi Pet in Romania, and Mr.Pet in Slovenia. The origins of the group date back to 1999, when the first Pet Centar location was opened in Croatia. The group's central administration is located in Zagreb and employs 40 people there. With the nine Pet Centar locations in Croatia, the company is also the market leader in the speciality trade. Another eight Pet Centar stores are also operated in Serbia, the first of which opened in 2008.

In July 2021, the Rohatyn Group (TRG), a US-based, globally active asset management company with expertise in emerging markets and property, and A&M Capital Europe (AMCE), a private equity firm based in London that focuses on medium-sized European enterprises, announced that they had finally reached agreement on the sale of Pet Network International to AMCE.

Today, the group operates in five countries and employs more than 1 500 people in its retail chains. In addition, the company also operates various e-commerce channels and offers services in many of its stores, including veterinary pharmacies with experts in this field.

In Romania, Pet Network International operates 117 Animax stores and seven Maxi Pet branches. Animax was founded in 2001 by Christian Pop with a 185 m² shop in Bucharest. The entrepreneur had already been operating the Pet Products wholesale company since 1998 and quickly built his pet shop chain into the undisputed market leader before joining Pet Network International in 2018. In June 2021, the first and to date only Animax store outside of Romania opened in Vršac, Serbia.

Eight years before the take­over of the Animax chain, the first Maxi Pet branch had already opened in the west of Bucharest. Three more are located in Varna, Sofia and Plovdiv in Bulgaria. “Our two-brand strategy in Romania has proved to be the right choice, it is the perfect combination of convenience and shopping experience,” emphasises Timo Tervo, CEO of Pet Network International. In addition to food and accessory products…