Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Pets at Home's profits fall despite increase in sales
Pets at Home has seen its pre-tax profits fall by 16.6 per cent.
Group will be going ahead with planned expansion

Pets at Home has reported a fall in its pre-tax profits in spite of an increase in sales.

According to Retail Gazette, Pets at Home saw a rise in revenue of 7.8 per cent to £898.9 million in the year to March 29. At the same time, the retailer benefited from a 5.5 per cent surge in like-for-like sales.

A £13 million investment in its turnaround strategy, however, saw its pre-tax profits fall by 16.6 per cent to £79.6 million.

Chief executive Peter Pritchard told Retail Gazette that Pets at Home would be going ahead with its planned expansion. Over the coming months, the Group expects to open up to five superstores, 25 veterinary practices and 10-20 grooming salons.

“Our plans to reposition retail are working, more customers are coming back to shop with us, and we are committed to returning the business to profit growth,” he said.

“But it hasn’t been easy. We took decisive action, threw passion and energy into it, and delivered targeted pricing changes to give customers the products that mattered most to them, with the service and value they expect from us.

“Our product innovation this year has been the best I can remember and the investment we made in the development of a subscription service is bringing some excellent results, as is order In-Store, which brings our full online range to every store in the business.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.