Pet specialty retailers extend their reach across markets

Pet specialty retailers continue to expand their physical footprints across various markets, with Europe seeing particularly strong activity. Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo, Jollyes and ZU are among the groups adding new stores or acquiring locations, while retailers in the US and Asia are also strengthening their networks. 

Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo

This September, the German-headquartered pet retailer Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo is adding 7 Maxi Zoo stores across France, in La Rochelle, Paris, Rouen, Amiens, Mulhouse, Concarneau and Mazamet.

The move follows the planned launch of the group’s 500th French outlet and 3,000th European outlet in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, near Paris.

The pet retailer group has also further expanded its presence in Upper Austria with the opening of a new 340-square-meter Future Store in Ottensheim, 15 km west of Linz. The outlet features Fressnapf’s updated store concept, with around 10,000 products. The format also expands the focus beyond core pet food and accessories to include supplements and veterinary diets, while the store is powered by certified green electricity and uses energy-efficient LED lighting.

On 29 July, it added a 175-square-meter site in Lyon’s Presqu’île district. Maxi Zoo Denmark followed with a new branch in Vesterbro, Copenhagen, in early August, as part of its new city store format, with 115 square meters of retail space.

Jollyes

British pet retailer Jollyes, which is on track to add 160 potential target locations as part of its 5-year UK expansion plans, is growing its national footprint with 3 upcoming launches in September and October.

The retailer will enter Seaham, North East England, on 11 September; Sheffield, South Yorkshire, on 25 September; and Mansfield, in the East Midlands, on 6 October.

The rollout follows 2 superstores launched in Evesham (west-central England) and Derby (East Midlands) in August, alongside its 126th branch in Great Yarmouth (east coast). The new branch provides products and services for cats and dogs, including chilled and frozen raw food, as well as exclusive Uber Eats delivery.

All of these new and upcoming sites are outside London, underscoring Jollyes’ focus on nationwide growth.

ZU

ZU, the pet retail brand of Portuguese multinational Sonae Group, is expanding its national network by acquiring 9 commercial spaces across the country in the Porto (north) and Algarve (south) regions. 

The deal will increase ZU’s Portuguese network to 84 stores, including 24 with integrated veterinary clinics. The retailer will also retain the employees currently working across the acquired units.

The 9 additions complement the 10 stores ZU has opened organically in Portugal so far this year. According to the company, the expansion is part of its strategy to accelerate growth following the acquisition by Musti Group last December. 

More expansions

Major pet specialty retailers continued to grow their networks over the summer, with activity across Europe, the US and Asia.

This month, pet food manufacturer Ziggy opened a boutique store in central Bordeaux, France, while Das Futterhaus launched a 550-square-meter store in Zeltweg, Austria.

Between July and August, Ukrainian specialty retailer MasterZoo opened 2 stores in Kyiv and Brovary, in the north; Sweden-based Arken Zoo added its 10th new location of 2026 in Stenungsund, on the west coast; and Pet Service Holding opened its first budget pet store in the Netherlands. Pet retailer ZooRoyal also expanded into Düsseldorf, western Germany.

US and Asia 

In the US, 6 new stores opened during the period. These included Sparkle Grooming’s first location in New Jersey; a Petsense by Tractor Supply store in Theodore, Alabama; Petco’s second store in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Puptqe’s first location in Georgia; a new Hollywood Feed store in South Carolina; and PetSmart’s new location at Emporia Pavilions in Emporia, Kansas.

In Asia, Pet Lover’s Centre, Malaysia’s largest pet retail chain, opened its 12th Philippine branch at Opus Mall in Bridgetowne, Quezon City, as it aims to become the Philippines’ largest pet specialty retailer within 5 years.