Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo remains crisis-proof

Europe's leading specialty retail chain for pet products, Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo, increased its net sales by 5 per cent to 3.577 bn euros in the past year despite the generally difficult economic situation. The Krefeld-based company announced this at a digital media briefing to present its 2024 annual financial report.

Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo increased its stationary net sales by 9.6 per cent to 2.247 bn euros – a result of last year's acquisitions and the opening of a total of 188 new locations. The focus was on the growth markets of France (50 new stores), Italy (43), and Poland (27). International business continued to gain in importance in the past year and now accounts for 64 per cent of the retail group's total sales. In Germany, which remains the strongest submarket, 2024 is unlikely to have been quite as good, as illustrated by the 5.2 per cent decline in sales in the franchise markets operated almost exclusively in the domestic market.

Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo is now represented in 15 countries, is the market leader in eight of them, and operates a total of 2 709 stores. The specialist retailer grew by 4.6 per cent online last year to 425 mio euros. The company reported adjusted EBITDA of 342 mio euros.

“Our results for 2024 are the direct result of forward-looking strategy and operational agility. When the pet market adjusted to pre-pandemic levels, we reacted early," says Sebastian van Stiphout, interim CFO of Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo, citing this as the main reason why Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo outperformed the competition overall in 2024.

Last year, the company streamlined its processes and shifted responsibilities more to local companies. This enabled Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo to be closer to its customers. At the same time, the customer focus was further sharpened: competitive omnichannel prices were strengthened and the product range was adjusted. The introduction of Click & Collect in selected countries was a further step toward seamless cross-channel integration and already accounts for 7 per cent of e-commerce sales, explains van Stiphout. In addition, a 64 per cent share of sales generated by members of the loyalty program underscores the strong commitment and long-term trust of Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo's growing customer base.

In 2025, the focus will be on scaling up. The number of new store openings is expected to be in the triple digits again, with a focus on France and Poland. Omnichannel formats such as Click & Collect, Pick from Store, and smarter pricing models are to be rolled out rapidly across Europe. At the same time, the e-commerce business, which currently accounts for around 13 per cent of Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo's merchandise sales, will be continuously expanded. The aim is to create a seamless customer experience across all channels, thereby further consolidating the company's leading omnichannel position. The continuous expansion and optimization of the European logistics network will be a key driver of this scalable growth.