Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo delivers 6.6% sales growth in first quarter of 2026

Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo generated revenue of €928 million ($1.07B) in the first quarter of 2026, up from €871 million ($998M) during the same period last year.

The European pet retail group says the 6.6% year-over-year (YoY) increase was accompanied by continued operational efficiency. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) reached €82 million ($94M), representing a 15.6% increase.

The Germany-based company recorded positive like-for-like sales growth of 4% across all regions in which it operates. According to the retailer, this performance was driven by value-focused initiatives, including price guarantees on exclusive brands and more affordable everyday options, which helped attract more pet owners to its stores.

Regional breakdown

Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo opened 33 new stores between January and March 2026, bringing its network to 2,919 locations. Expansion efforts focused on high-potential markets, particularly France, Italy and Poland. In 2025, the retailer opened 195 new stores.

“In a challenging market environment, characterized by an overall deteriorating consumer sentiment, we gained market share across key regions,” says Fressnapf CFO Florian Wieser.

According to the company, Fressnapf Germany outperformed the market, driven by strong sales of snacks and cat litter. Meanwhile, Arcaplanet in Italy exceeded market growth by more than 5 percentage points, while Maxi Zoo France outperformed its market by double digits, driven by strong sales in core food and litter categories.

In 2025, the pet retail group generated €3.7 billion ($4.2B) in sales and increased operating profit by 11% to €380 million ($435.4M), reflecting the impact of its internal restructuring efforts and disciplined cost management. Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo recorded a slight 0.8% decline in like-for-like sales last year while reducing operating costs by €80 million ($91.7M).

New e-commerce fulfillment center

To support its market expansion, the group recently opened a new e-commerce fulfillment center in Nörvenich, 35 kilometers from Cologne.

Representing an €80 million ($91.7M) investment over 3 years, the 72,000-square-meter facility is one of Europe’s most modern logistics hubs, acting as the central e-commerce headquarters for Germany, France and the Benelux region. 

“It’s not just about fulfillment. Nörvenich also enables us to deliver better value through click-and-collect. Customers can pick up products at stores when it suits them, leveraging both our distribution and store networks,” says Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo CEO Matt Simister in a recent interview with PETS International. 

The new site boasts a system comprising 260 robots and 120,000 containers, capable of processing up to 40,000 parcels per day, with room to expand to 60,000. 

Online sales currently account for around 12% of the business and are expected to grow in the coming years. “Our online business is solid, particularly in Germany and Italy, but across other countries there are clear opportunities to improve things like assortment, pricing and delivery promise,” adds Simister.

Expanding central warehouse

Fressnapf also recently celebrated the opening of the 2.0 central warehouse in Krefeld, where the group is headquartered. Serving as a central inbound hub, the facility is designed to manage full pallets efficiently and supply the main warehouse on a just-in-time basis.

A key feature of the project is a planned service bridge equipped with automated conveyor systems that will connect the new building to the existing infrastructure, enabling a seamless automated pallet flow.

The facility is expected to become fully operational later this year and is intended to strengthen the company’s supply chain across European markets.