Retailers

Pet Place secures £1m loan to support growth

Pet Place announced it has secured a £1m Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) loan from Lloyds Bank in efforts to support its growth and presence.  It comes as the Welsh pet supplies retailer said it has expanded its click + collect service after online orders increased by 600%.  The…

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Trouble ahead for retail vacancy rates, warns BRC

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Local Data Company has said the new BRC-LDC Vacancy Monitor has revealed that the rate of store vacancies increased to 12.2% in March. The monitor also reported a 0.3% decrease in vacancy rates in shopping centres to 14.1% compared with 14.4%. The South West and Wales…

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PFMA notes ‘substantial rise’ in bird food sales

The Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) revealed it has seen a “huge shift” in bird food sales in light of the ongoing pandemic.  PFMA members have seen bird food sales shift from stores to online in the last four weeks amid the nationwide lockdown, though warn that many retailers have…

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Dog Artists sales surge amid pandemic

Dog Artists revealed it has seen a rise in the number of requests for pet portraits since the nationwide lockdown began.  The London-based dog painting company consists of eight professional artists specialising in hand painted dog portraits. The group delivers oil paintings to pet owners across the globe.   Each piece…

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Online pet store triples workforce

PetShop.co.uk revealed it has tripled its workforce in light of a rising demand for online pet products amid the ongoing pandemic. The online retailer, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, said that the nationwide lockdown has led to a 300% increase in sales from owners who need pet food delivered to their homes. …

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OATA urges government to clarify guidelines for aquatic retailers amid Covid-19 crisis

The CEO of the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) has written to the government to clarify whether furloughed staff can volunteer to care for aquatic livestock whilst “off work” amid the Covid-19 pandemic. In a letter to the of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, OATA has asked for clarification due…

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Vetoquinol reveals ‘strong’ first quarter figures amid Covid-19 crisis

Global animal health company Vetoquinol has revealed “strong” first quarter results amid the Covid-19 crisis. The company reported a 13.4% rise in total group sales to €103.4m (£90.5m), with ‘essential sales’ increasing by 17.9% to €53.4m (£46.8m). Sales of companion animal products came to €60.1m (£52.6m) and accounted for 58.1%…

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Bira welcomes additional support for Scottish retailers

Bira has welcomed a move by the Scottish Government to give additional financial support to small retail businesses. Scottish Ministers have announced a second phase of funding – worth £120m – in response to the outbreak of coronavirus, which results in businesses with one property will get a 100% grant.…

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Pet shop licences may be extended, says PIF

Pet shops whose licence is to be renewed may be granted an extension amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Pet Industry Federation (PIF). PIF’s Primary Authority partner, the Corporation of London, has received a response from DEFRA with regard to the extension of licences for businesses who operate under the…

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Pets Corner reopens shops in garden centres amid coronavirus pandemic

Pets Corner has reopened its stores in 15 garden centres across the UK amid the coronavirus pandemic. Garden centres temporarily closed its operations,following government regulations to close all non-essential shops last month. Dean Richmond, Pets Corner CEO, said at the time: “Sadly, despite being allowed to trade as an essential…

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