Pets at Home like-for-likes up 2.7% in first quarter
Pets at Home has said it made a “solid” start to the year after its first quarter like-for-like sales grew by 2.7%.
The group said its performance in the 16 weeks to 21 July was driven by strength in its advanced nutrition category and vet and grooming services, as well as a return to positive sales growth in its health and hygiene category.
Merchandise like-for-like revenue edged up 2.2% in the period while services like-for-like sales climbed by 7.5%.
Total revenue increased by 8.9% to £244.2 million.
During the quarter, Pets at Home opened four Pets at Home stores, three Vets4Pets practices and six Groom Room salons.
The number of VIP club active members grew to 3.5 million to mark an increase of around 200,000 since the end of the last financial year.
Looking ahead, Pets at Home chief executive Ian Kellett said: “Whilst the consumer outlook is uncertain, we remain confident in our long term strategy and are reassured by the historical resilience of the pet market in times of economic downturn.
“Our full year outlook remains in-line with market expectations.”
