Largest pet retailer in Bosnia and Herzegovina targets 30 stores by 2027

With the local pet food market projected to grow by 6% annually, reaching $52.4 million by 2029, Sarajevo-based pet store chain Pet City aims to expand its footprint to 30 locations by 2027.

The retailer, which is investing €1.4 million ($1.48M) into expanding its market reach, plans to open 5 additional stores by 2026 in retail parks across Central Bosnia and the Republic of Srpska.

“Retail parks have proven to be a great fit for our business model, as they allow customers to access our stores directly, bring their pets with them, and load large purchases such as pet food and supplies conveniently into their cars,” CEO Vice Slišković tells GlobalPETS.

Pet City recently opened its 21st retail location in the Doboj, 150 km from Sarajevo, the capital. The XXL-style outlet is the largest in its portfolio. It marks a significant addition to the company’s network, which currently operates 19 specialized Pet City stores and 2 stores under Agropet, offering a combination of agricultural and pet products.

The launch also follows the recent opening of the retailer’s third location in Sarajevo.

Capturing the Bosnian market

The company’s immediate goals include growing its network, refining its service offerings and introducing innovative products for pet owners.

In the long run, Pet City is determined to become Bosnia’s premier pet retail chain. In addition to expanding its physical presence, the retailer is actively seeking partnerships and distribution opportunities to drive its growth and upgrade its e-commerce capabilities to cater to digital-savvy customers.

“We are optimistic about the continued growth of the pet market, which has doubled in the last 4 years,” notes Slišković.

Pet City expects to close the year with a turnover of approximately €5 million ($5.2M).