Page 30 - PET worldwide issue 1/2021

Distribution

regardless of channel. Health and clusive brands and in the sphere for Zoo Hobby to build up its
care are to be given a special role of data, CRM, customer insights, own exclusive brands at huge
in this. If the app works well in the buying, importing, sourcing, IT, expense, while for Fressnapf,
German-speaking countries and technology and logistics. We partnering the Croatian retailer
is well received by customers, have a lot to offer as a partner.” has the advantage that its ex-
Fressnapf will extend it to other
European countries also. For Tor-
sten Toeller, the coronavirus pan-
demic has acted to accelerate
digitalisation, and the company
has taken on 30 to 40 new staff
for the digital sphere in the last
year. As many as 60 new em-
ployees are being sought for it
this year.

International expansion
The retail group is also thinking
about launching in new countries,
and is primarily eyeing eastern With its takeover of the Petworld store chain, Fressnapf has significantly
Europe. As an alternative to new consolidated its market-leading position in Denmark and cranked its
country subsidiaries, Toller can market share upwards.
imagine acquiring existing local
store chains or entering into a A first step in this direction clusive brands are enjoying im-
joint venture or other form of co- is the strategic partnership with mediate distribution in countries
operation with these. “We have a Zoo Hobby, a Croatian whole- where the Krefeld outfit does not
vast amount of know-how in the sale and retail firm that has its as yet have its own stores. The
classic retail sector, online and own stores in Serbia, Slovenia cooperation with Zoo Hobby is
in omnichannel retailing, with ex- and Croatia. It also supplies pet expected to be potentially con-
shops in the former Yugoslavia solidated further.
with brands from over 20 sup- Toller is also looking towards
pliers to the pet product trade. the future with the acquisition of
After starting out with the Pre- Danish pet supplies chain Pet-
miere and MultiFit brands in its world, which Fressnapf took
distribution region, Zoo Hobby over on 1 January this year. Pet-
has recently gained access to world owner Jan Sörensen was
the complete portfolio of exclu- looking to retire on account of his
sive Fressnapf brands with over age and found a partner in Fress-
16 brands and several thousand napf that would continue to oper-
products. It’s a classic win-win ate his business, comprising 36
situation for Torsten Toeller: Zoo brick-and-mortar outlets and on-
Hobby can strengthen its assort- line shops, in the future. Thanks
ment by adding exclusive Fress- to the deal, Fressnapf has sub-
napf brands with a high mar- stantially consolidated its mar-
gin, which are well-known and ket-leading position in Denmark
The Fressnapf Group is also
growing substantially in its popular with pet owners across and pushed its market share sig-
foreign markets. Europe. This obviates the need nificantly upwards. n

30 PET worldwide 1|2021

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