Page 30 - PET worldwide issue 01/2023

Distribution
Impressive from the outside too: the
new Zoocity XXL store in Zagreb. of expanding. The chain, which
PWW2023-01_Buch.indb
Consolidation
process in South-
Eastern Europe
Zoocity and Pet Network International occupy a leading posi-
tion in the pet supplies trade in South-Eastern Europe. Both are
in the process of expanding.
The consolidation in the pet sup- is owned by the Croatian com- to invest 4 mio euros in people,
plies sector that was observed pany Unconditional, has a part- equipment and assortment. In
during 2022 has now also ex- nership with Europe’s leading 2022, the company’s sales of
tended to the Balkan region. pet retailer Fressnapf. Zoo- pet food increased by 35 per
Last year, Europe’s leading pet city opened its first XXL-format cent and by 25 per cent relative
store chain Fressnapf entered store in Zagreb towards the end to the overall range.
the Romanian market and has of last year. The store covers a
acquired the stores of the Czech floor space of more than 600 m 2 PNI: two acquisitions
retailer Placˇek Group in Romania and also comprises a Zoo- The Croatia-based pet store chain
and Croatia as well (as reported city bakery which offers freshly Pet Network International (PNI)
by PET worldwide). baked biscuits for dogs. Its as- also consolidated its market po-
sortment includes over 7 000 sition in 2022. With operations in
Zoocity opens products for all types of pets, five countries in South-Eastern Eu-
first XXL store among them many new brands. rope already, the retail company
Zoocity, the leading pet retailer Having launched ten new stores has over 200 directly owned
in Croatia with 35 pet stores, is in 2022, the aim is to open the stores as well as e-commerce
another retailer in the process same number of pet stores in platforms in Romania, Croatia,
2023, for which Zoocity intends Slovenia, Serbia and Bulgaria.
The group sells pet food, treats
and accessories, but also a
growing offering of value-added
services such as grooming and
veterinary advisory services. In
December, PNI announced the
acquisition of the Bulgarian com-
pany Zoo Group Stefanov and
Croatian speciality chain Zvjer-
injak. “This expansion strength-
ens PNI’s position in the region
and demonstrates that growth
and investment are our biggest
driver,” said Timo Tervo, CEO of
PET worldwide 1|2023
30 31.01.2023 16:18:13