Poland: Aquael grows retail presence after Plaček deal
The firm will become the largest pet retailer nationwide, operating 120 stores.
Polish aquarium equipment manufacturer and pet retail chain operator Aquael has formed a strategic cooperation agreement with Plaček Group, the leading pet retail player in Central and Eastern Europe.
The 82 stores under the Kakadu banner in Poland – acquired by Plaček Group in 2014 – will be transferred to Aquael.
The partnership will strengthen the existing Aquael Zoo retail network, which currently operates around 40 stores in Poland. The Warsaw-based pet player will now manage a total of 120 locations nationwide, becoming the largest pet retailer in the country.
“The strategic agreement will also allow us to strengthen our leading brands (Aquael and Comfy Appetit) in the Czech and Slovak markets through an increased presence in the Super Zoo chain,” says Janusz Jankiewicz, Founder and Owner of Aquael.
The company owns a portfolio of brands, including Aquael, Comfy, Comfy Appetit, Have a Pet, Diversa and Amiplay, sold in over 90 countries globally.
Focus on Super zoo
Plaček will continue to operate in Poland as a retailer under its flagship Super Zoo concept, focusing exclusively on large-format stores of 500-1,000 m² in major cities.
“Part of our long-term strategy is to replace some imports from the Far East with products manufactured within the European Union and expand more our main concept of Super Zoo,” says Dušan Plaček, Owner of Plaček Group.
The Czech pet player will increase its purchases of Aquael’s products, while the Polish pet retailer will expand its range by purchasing Plaček Group’s pet food brands.
Plaček operates more than 400 retail stores in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Latvia.
Market overview
According to the European Pet Food Industry Association (FEDIAF), the Polish pet food market is valued at approximately zł4.9 billion ($1.35B/€1.15B), with projections for annual growth between 5%-7%.
It is believed that in 2023, there were 19 million pets living in Polish households, with dogs representing 8.4 million and cats 7.5 million.
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