Page 8 - PET worldwide issue 04/2022

News

Fressnapf eyes a fresh start Conad opens its 100th store
in the Netherlands With the opening of 13 new cations. The company’s aim is to

branches in Emilia-Romagna, have over 110 stores by the end
Problems in the supply chains, group’s domestic market in Ger-
high inflation and growing con- many. He believes that one of the Lazio, Lombardy, Sardinia, Sicily of the current year. Last year, 87
sumer reticence, a shortage of reasons for this is the phenome- and Tuscany since the start of branches achieved sales of 64
the year – the last opened on 16 mio euros, a significant increase
raw materials and the lingering non of “German anxiety”, the fear
June in Enna (Sicily) – the Conad on the figure for the previous year
coronavirus: the problems cur- many Germans have regarding
rently facing retailers have left the future; it is a phenomenon store chain now operates 100 lo- (43 mio euros).
their mark even on Europe’s that is observed scarcely or not
leading pet store chain Fressnapf. at all in other countries.
“We are slightly below target at After setting out plans in re-
present, but we are growing in all cent weeks for strong growth in
country markets compared with South-East Europe, Fressnapf
last year, even on a comparable is currently also contemplating
store area,” Fressnapf proprietor a renewed entry into the Neth-
Torsten Toeller told PET worldwide erlands market, although Toe-
in the run-up to opening Fressnapf’s ller has not specified a precise
first Romanian store. time. Having acquired a stake
Fressnapf is continuing to in the Dutch pet store chain
increase pet food sales at the Jumper in 2001, Fressnapf with-
accustomed rate, according to drew from the Netherlands a few
Toeller. In Fressnapf and Maxi- years later, preferring to focus on
Zoo stores, this segment ac- other expansion targets. A fresh Conad aims to have over 110 branches by the end of the year.
counts for approximately two start is now on the horizon. As in
thirds of overall sales. With ac- South-East Europe and in the Al- New inflation heights
cessories, on the other hand, pine region, the company would
the retail group is presently see- prefer to enter into a partner alli- Inflation continues to rise in the least partially by higher pet food
ing a slight downturn. A notable ance of Belgium, the Netherlands USA and is increasingly impacting prices, inflation for the entire pet
the development of the pet product category increased to 9.1 per cent
aspect, says the Fressnapf boss, and Luxembourg in the Benelux
industry. According to the pet trade in July from 8.8 per cent in June.
is that growth in virtually all for- states with a joint management
eign markets is higher than in the team and one headquarters. magazine Petfood Industry, US pet In June, the Consumer Price Index
food inflation reached 10.9 per cent in the USA was up by 9.1 per cent,
in July, up from its previous high beating the previous high of 8.6
of 10.3 per cent in June. Driven at per cent in May.

Last-minute cancellation

Pet Fair Asia, which was supposed sudden outbreak of multiple so-
to take place in Shenzhen from cial cases in the city, according
31 August to 3 September, was to the urgent notification require-
cancelled a few hours before it ments of the Shenzhen Bao’an
was due to open. District Commerce Bureau on
In a press release, the organ- the evening of 30 August 30, the
iser stated: “In view of the severe 24th Asia Pet Exhibition will be
Torsten Toeller has set his sights on another new expansion target: epidemic prevention and control postponed.”
the Netherlands. situation in Shenzhen and the

8 PET worldwide 4|2022

_PWW2022-04_Buch.indb 8 22.09.2022 11:17:02