Zooplus continues to grow

Europe's leading online retailer of pet products, Zooplus AG, increased its sales in the first six months of the year by 19 per cent compared with last year to 862 mio euros. The company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were 29.4 mio euros, as compared with an EBITDA of 4.5 mio euros in the previous year. Zooplus highlighted the sharp rise in the second quarter in particular, with a quarterly EBITDA of 21.3 mio euros. The positive sales trend was underpinned by the retailer's business with loyal regular customers in all key European markets, according to Zooplus. Adjusted for currency fluctuations, the sales-related resale rate at the end of the first six months of the year was 95 per cent, matching the previous record value from 2018. The online retailer was also pleased to note that sales to returning new customers in the first half of 2020 increased by 21 per cent. Improvements in the control of the product sales mix and the focus on profitable revenues and customers had a positive effect on the gross profit margin. This grew in the first six months from 28.4 per cent to 30.5 per cent. In the period under review, sales of Zooplus private label products increased by 32 per cent. These now account for 17 per cent of food and litter sales. With regard to the next few months, Dr Cornelius Patt, board chairman of Zooplus AG, expressed confidence: "Our highest priority continues to be the loyalty of our customers and the long-term consolidation of our business." Dr Patt expects that the target for the fiscal year - an increase in sales of around 240 mio euros compared with the previous year - that was updated on 14 July will be achieved.