Pets At Home announces acquisition of equestrian business Ride-Away

Pet care specialist Pets at Home has announced its acquisition of leading equestrian multi-channel business Ride-Away.

It is hoped that Ride-Away’s strong brand and loyal customer base in the fragmented £2.8 billion equestrian market will increase Pets at Home’s specialist credentials.

Established in 1980, Ride-Away is a family-owned, multi-channel retail business with extensive online and catalogue operations as well as a 15,000 square feet store in Yorkshire. Turnover in 2011 was £6.7 million.

Nick Wood, CEO of Pets at Home commented that it was an “exciting opportunity” and a chance to increase a “very limited” area of its present business.

“Stephen and Angela Clark have built Ride-Away into a significant multi-channel operation, specialising in the equestrian market. By deploying our wealth of experience and resources to support an accelerated growth plan, we look forward to developing the business further over the coming years.

“The success of Pets at Home is built on a foundation of friendly expertise delivered by outstanding colleagues, authoritative ranges, product innovation and great service. We believe in Ride-Away we have bought a business that shares these attributes.”

Stephen and Angela Clark commented: “Having decided to sell our family business it was important to us that we found a buyer who shares the values that have underpinned the growth of Ride-Away to date.

“Given the experience and resources that Nick and his team have at their disposal we believe they can successfully build on the very strong foundation we are proud to have built over the last 32 years.”