Page 21 - PET worldwide issue 04/2021

making purchases to date. The
average spend also increased by
around seven per cent in the first
six months, much to Fressnapf’s
delight, with Fressnapf and Maxi
Zoo customers paying out 25 eu-
ros on average.
Of 136 new stores planned for
this year, 88 have opened so far.
This figure includes 36 stores
in Denmark that were added to
the estate through the acquisi-
tion of the company’s competi-
tor Petworld.

Das Futterhaus in
demand
Fressnapf rival Das Futterhaus
also celebrated pleasing sales Foto: Martina van Kann
figures, with the Elmshorn store
chain growing its sales to 247
mio euros in the first half of the
year. This equated to a 16 per
cent increase over the previous tail triumvirate, Zooplus AG, is de- announced a voluntary public “We are experiencing considerable
year. The company’s German termined not to fall behind now takeover offer for the shares of growth in pet food, accessories
and treats, especially in the
stores recorded growth of 16 per or in the future. At a strategically Zooplus. Following the takeover premium range,” says Andreas
cent over 2020 to 223 mio euros, optimal time, when the share offer to Zooplus, the company’s Schulz, director of Das Futterhaus,
while those in Austria racked up price of Europe’s leading online shares experienced a temporary with satisfaction.
a sales increase of 14 per cent retailer of pet products reached jump of more than 40 per cent.
to 24 mio euros. Ten new stores a temporary high and online re- H&F is a US company that has
opened in the first six months of tailing was being spoken of as previously had holdings in Ger-
the year, including four in Austria. the fastest growing distribution man companies, including in
This brought the total store hold-
ing of the franchise outfit to 400 “ENquIRIES By POTENTIal FRaNCHISE PaRTNERS HaVE
locations in Germany and Austria RISEN SIGNIFICaNTly IN RECENT MONTHS.”
as of the end of June. Of these, Andreas Schulz (Das Futterhaus)
354 are in Germany and the re-
maining 46 in Austria. “Enquiries
by potential franchise partners channel, Zooplus AG and private Axel Springer and Auto Scout
have risen significantly in recent equity firm Hellman & Friedman 24. According to Zooplus, the
months,” comments director An- (H&F) revealed the conclusion deal was concluded against
dreas Schulz, who is responsible of an investor agreement aimed the background of the boom in
for distribution, category manage- at creating a long-term strate- online retailing triggered by the
ment and expansion. gic partnership. To this end, the pandemic and rising customer
Faced with the accumulated holding company Zorro Bidco S.à expectations as a result, but
retail power of Krefeld and Elms- r.l., which is controlled by funds also the arrival of new competi-
horn, the third member of the re- advised by Hellman & Friedman, tors on the scene. “With H&F as

PET worldwide 4|2021 21

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