Expansion at full speed

Yes, times are difficult. Torsten Toeller, founder and owner of Europe’s leading pet store chain Fressnapf, is used to success and doesn’t beat around the bush. In an interview with PET worldwide, he openly admits that the pet industry is currently in a downturn. The general economic situation, consumers’ reluctance to spend and the slight decline in the pet population are all reasons why the pet industry has lost some of its momentum in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Toeller estimates that the economy in Europe will not pick up speed again until the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026. Fressnapf will, nevertheless, be able to further expand its leading market position in the difficult financial year 2024. This was announced by Torsten Toeller in his well-received presentation at the International Pet Conference in Brussels.

With the acquisition of Arcaplanet in Italy and Jumper in the Netherlands, Fressnapf has made a giant leap internationally, which should guarantee the retailer’s successful future. With an estimated total turnover of almost 4.8 bn euros, Fressnapf will achieve a market share of 24.6 per cent by the end of the year, including its online business. For the first time, the share of international turnover will even exceed the turnover in Germany at 56.2 per cent. In fact, according to Toeller, sales in all countries have developed better than in Germany.

And international expansion is set to continue: by the end of this year, the company will operate 2 683 stores in 15 countries. The 15th country is Slovenia, where Fressnapf recently opened its first store in Maribor. The activities in Slovenia are part of a joint venture with the Croatian partner company Unconditional.