The Shoprite Group is bullish about its prospects of being the number one go-to place for pet owners after opening its 100th Petshop Science store in just three years, pushing its rivalry with Woolworths up a notch.
At Friday’s branch opening in Kempton Park, east of Johannesburg, group COO Willem Hunlun said the company was well positioned to be a dominant player in the market.
“Petshop Science’s rapid expansion accentuates the increased demand for specialised pet care, complemented by expert advice from knowledgeable employees,” Hunlun said.
“Our aim has always been to offer customers everything their four-legged companions could want and need at supermarket prices and in doing so we are going to become the biggest pet business in SA.”
Shoprite’s Checkers became the first supermarket chain in SA to launch a pet shop with a broad selection of products at supermarket prices.
Rival Woolworths quickly followed suit, announcing in 2023 its acquisition of 93.45% of Absolute Pets, a leading pet retailer with about 150 stores nationwide. That acquisition was finalised earlier in 2024, solidifying Woolworths’ presence in the niche market.
For both Woolworths and Checkers, pet care has become a critical category as consumers view their pets as family members. According to 2023 Euromonitor data, SA is home to more than 22-million pets. Annual consumer spending on pet food and accessories is estimated at R8bn with an expected growth of 2.5% by 2026.
“Petshop Science has reached critical mass. It is a significant business in its own right and performing very well. In the 12-month period to end-June, the group opened 63 net new outlets in retail adjacencies of which 34 were Petshop Science premium stores,” Shoprite said. “By end-June 2024, the group had a total of 86 Petshop Science stores.”
In its 2024 annual report published last week Woolworths said pet care was a key growth area for the group.
“In April 2024 Woolworths acquired 93.45% of the shares in Absolute Pets, trading off immediate financial capital to bolster our manufactured, intellectual, and human capitals. Pet care is an attractive and rapidly developing market, with substantial growth potential. It is also an increasingly important category for Woolworths customers who consider their pets an integral part of their families,” it said.
“The acquisition of Absolute Pets will accelerate Woolworths’ pet strategy by bringing together two strategically aligned businesses, and position Woolworths SA to become the end-to-end pet care destination of choice in SA. This will further enhance our customers’ shopping experience with us and create greater financial capital for the group.” /With Nompilo Goba
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