Australian home and garden retailer expands its pet range

The retailer increased its pet supply portfolio after noting that the role of pets is becoming “increasingly important in Australian families and homes,” with almost 7 out of 10 Australian households owning an animal.

Managing Director Mike Schneider told GlobalPETS that Bunnings sees “huge potential” in the pet category.

Bunnings have been retailing pet supplies for several years and believe that adding 1,000 new pet products, including bedding and pet food, is the largest category expansion in 20 years. It has also made expert pet care team members available to assist customers in-store.  

Room for all

Pets are a major growth category for the company, and Schneider believes there’s “ample room in the market” for larger players and specialty providers alike. 

However, not all are happy with this move. Small business owners fear being “squeezed out of the market.” A Sydney-based pet store told Daily Mail Australia that large companies were eating up their customer base and “reducing industry diversity.”

Sky News Australia quoted another pet store owner saying they were “concerned” about the quality of pet food being sold by chain stores and that it was “unfair” to the small business owners as cheaper products would flood the market. 

Anthony Ramsey, President of the Pet Industry Association of Australia (PIAA), stated that pet stores are “under less threat than they fear.”

Who is Bunnings?

Bunnings Group is a household hardware and garden center chain with stores in Australia and New Zealand. The company was founded in 1886, and in 1952 it became a listed corporation. 

Today, it has more than 300 stores in Australia retailing tools, building and hardware supplies, garden ware, kitchens, bathroom and plumbing, indoor living, lights and electricals, and other home products.