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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.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.