Germany

Focus

Germany

Capital: Berlin | Area: 357 000 km² |
Population (2020): 83.2 mio | GDP (2020): € 3 336.2 bn

Exclusive wine package

Felix Bangel scoops the prize

With a record turnout of over 400 specialist retailers across the whole of Europe, participation in the online vote for the pet and PET worldwide products of the year 2023/2024 was particularly high (as reported by PET …

Distribution25. April 2024

EXCLUSIVE LIAISON WITH A CULT FIGURE

Lucy Balu and Hello Kitty cooperate

50 years ago, Hello Kitty, a fictional cult character in cat form, began to win the hearts of millions of fans around the world. Over the past …

Suppliers25. April 2024

Pet market in Germany in 2023

New sales record

The German pet industry continues to develop positively. With sales of over 5.6 bn euros, the stationary specialist and food retail sector recorded an increase of …

Suppliers16. April 2024

Alexander Stübler and Hartmut Senf

New managers at Das Futterhaus

On 15 April, Alexander Stübler will take over the management of sales at the German specialist retail chain Das Futterhaus. He succeeds Thomas …

Distribution11. April 2024

Ramona Blenckner, Michael Gottburg, Lars Hansen

Trixie continues to strengthen its staff

Ramona Blenckner is the new head of quality assurance and the sustainability team at Trixie. An ecotrophologist by training, she has many …

Suppliers2. April 2024

Decline in sales in Germany

Hornbach grows in Europe

At 5.78 bn euros (-1.1 per cent), total net sales at Hornbach Baumarkt AG in the 2023/24 financial year almost matched the previous year's figure of 5.843 …

Distribution28. March 2024

Joint initiative by Handtmann and Multivac

European Future Pet Food Conference in Germany

Handtmann and Multivac are jointly organising the European Future Pet Food Conference 2024 on 5 and 6 November at the conference and …

Suppliers14. March 2024

Competition for Best Newcomer gets underway

PET worldwide looking for the best start-ups

In tough times such as now in particular, the pet sector needs fresh ideas for the future. The international trade magazine PET …

Distribution5. March 2024

Belgian visitors

Hunter hosts pet store chain

The management and store bosses of Poils et Plumes (P&P) recently visited German manufacturer Hunter in Bielefeld. The Belgian store chain has 36 …

Suppliers5. March 2024

Products of the Year 2023/2024

We’re looking for winners

What are the pet and PET worldwide Products of the Year 2023/2024 in the pet sector? Voting is now underway! All speciality retailers and wholesalers in …

Suppliers22. February 2024

Sales up by 13.5 per cent in 2023

Fressnapf still on track for success

Last year, the Fressnapf Group smashed the 4-bn-euro sales barrier with a year-on-year sales increase of around 475 mio euros, even against an …

Distribution20. February 2024

International exhibitor record

Over 2 000 exhibitors at Interzoo

13 weeks ahead of the start of Interzoo in Nuremberg (7 - 10 May), the number of registered exhibitors has risen to more than 2 000. It has thus …

Events15. February 2024

Key topics for the pet sector

Interzoo framework programme

During the four days of the forthcoming Interzoo, the framework programme takes up key topics and trends in the pet sector in short conferences, …

Events30. January 2024

E-commerce 2023 in Germany

Pet supplies not spared the downward trend

The greater spending restraint shown by consumers in Germany was reflected once again in 2023 in significantly lower total sales in the …

Distribution30. January 2024

Jonas Schultheiss

Zooplus appoints new chief marketing officer

Zooplus, Europe’s leading online platform for pet supplies, has announced the appointment of Jonas Schultheiss as chief marketing o…

Distribution16. January 2024

Raw materials for pet food

Grainli moves into pet food

Hamburg-based company Grainli, a global supplier of raw ingredients for breweries and food since 2008, has expanded its range to include raw materials …

Suppliers16. January 2024

Four pilot stores in Hamburg

Das Futterhaus continues to develop its store concept

German pet supplies retailer Das Futterhaus has developed its store concept further, with new features that are already on …

Distribution9. January 2024

Tomasz Pawlowski

Mars Pet Nutrition Germany appoints new general manager

Mars Pet Nutrition Germany has appointed Tomasz Pawlowski as its general manager with effect from 1 January.Pawlowski has …

Suppliers4. January 2024

39 years of company service

Lars Larsen retires from Juwel Aquarium

After an impressive 39 years of service to German aquarium manufacturer Juwel Aquarium, chairman and managing director Lars Larsen is …

Suppliers22. December 2023

Now also available in English, Spanish and French

Sera Academy goes international

After the aquatics company Sera launched the Sera Academy e-learning platform for German-speaking pet retailers in September 2022, it is now also …

Suppliers21. December 2023

Food test by BioCraft

Cultured meat soon to be in the pet supplies market?

Are the first pet food products based on cultured meat about to come onto the market in the near future? Shannon Falconer, …

Suppliers14. December 2023

Dry food and treats

Fressnapf cooperates with vegan food brand

The vegan pet food company Omni from the UK is now cooperating with Europe’s leading pet store chain Fressnapf. Omni’s dog food products …

Distribution14. December 2023

Support for pet supplies retailers

Cashback initiative by JBL

German aquatics company JBL is aiming to support the Christmas business of pet supplies retailers with a cashback promotion. Every aquarium, terrarium …

Suppliers12. December 2023

Personnel

Sera expands its management team

Maximilian Deharde is the new second managing director at the aquatics company Sera. The 42-year-old succeeds Holger Fiebiger, who left the company…

Suppliers23. November 2023

New floor space record

Interzoo 2024 bigger than ever

Six months before Interzoo 2024, it’s already clear: The world’s leading trade fair for the pet industry, which takes place in Nuremberg from 7 to 10…

Events21. November 2023

Germany

Fressnapf permanently cuts prices

Fressnapf is permanently cutting prices in Germany for over 700 items across the range. Fressnapf-Friends even receive an additional five per cent…

Suppliers21. November 2023

Former Trixie marketing director in new role

Burkhard Friedrichsen joins Alpha Pet

Alpha Pet Ventures, which claims to be Europe’s leading digital brand platform for premium pet food, has announced the appointment of Burkhard…

Suppliers7. November 2023

140 stores already in the new format

Fressnapf focused on implementing new store design

Fressnapf, Europe’s leading pet store chain, is pressing ahead with its new Store Design Generation 3.0. Since the launch of the …

Distribution31. October 2023

Products for cats

Hunter acquires Stylecats

Hunter has taken over Stylecats, a supplier of cat furniture and accessories, thereby adding products for cat owners to Hunter’s range for the first time…

Suppliers31. October 2023

Automatic delivery of pet supplies

Zooplus introduces subscription model

Zooplus is broadening its offering for pet owners by adding a subscription model for the delivery of pet supplies. The Zooplus subscription …

Distribution24. October 2023

Four-yearly rotation

Interzoo refreshes its exhibition advisory committee

Every four years, Interzoo refreshes its exhibition advisory committee consisting of exhibitors and trade visitors to the show…

Events19. October 2023

Prof. Dr Jürgen Zentek

Seitz Group adds to its scientific advisory board

German pet food manufacturer Seitz has added an internationally renowned scientist to its scientific advisory board. Dr Jürgen …

Suppliers19. October 2023

Volker Haak and the start-up Prombyx awarded

Record attendance at the pet Congress in Hamburg

Nearly 200 trade visitors from industry and commerce attended the Pet Congress 2023 in Hamburg, presented by German trade magazine …

Events17. October 2023

Celebrating a milestone

Handtmann marks its 150th anniversary

Based in Biberach (Baden-Württemberg) in southern Germany, Handtmann Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG has passed its 150th anniversary …

Suppliers3. October 2023

Award for Interzoo venue

Nuernbergmesse nominated for German Sustainability Award

Nuernbergmesse, the venue for the world-leading Interzoo trade show every two years, has been nominated for the German S…

Events7. September 2023

New chief operating officer

Joost Bous moves to Zooplus from Action

Zooplus, Europe’s leading online platform for pet supplies, has announced the appointment of Joost Bous as chief operating officer and m…

Distribution11. July 2023

Focus on international markets

Saturn Petcare expands to China

The Bremen-based private label specialist Saturn Petcare, the pet care division of Heristo Aktiengesellschaft headquartered in Bad Rothenfelde, is …

Suppliers6. July 2023

Acquisition of P.P. D.K. Lamin in Poland

Coveris consolidates pet food business

The international packaging specialist Coveris has completed another strategic transaction in Central and Eastern Europe with the acquisition…

Suppliers29. June 2023

pet stores and supermarkets in Germany

Turnover up thanks to higher prices

With overall turnover of 5.126 bn euros, stationary pet stores and supermarkets in Germany recorded a 7.1 per cent increase in sales in 2022. …

Distribution3/2023

Changes at the top

Holger Fiebiger leaves Sera

The restructuring at Sera has now been completed successfully after nearly two years, according to the aquatics company. Managing director Holger …

Suppliers27. June 2023

Minus 2.2 per cent

Hornbach suffers sales downturn

In the first quarter of 2023 (1 March to 31 May), the Hornbach DIY store group recorded sales of 1 667.6 mio euros with its European stores, …

Distribution27. June 2023

Fifth and final term of office

Norbert Holthenrich remains ZZF president

At the 75th delegates‘ conference in Leipzig, delegates of the German Pet Trade and Industry Association (Zentralverband Zoologischer …

Distribution22. June 2023

Wider international spread

Considerable interest already in Interzoo

Eleven months in advance of the event, the level of registrations for the next edition of world-leading trade fair Interzoo (7-10 May …

Events20. June 2023

750 products cheaper

Trixie lowers prices

On 1 June, Trixie reduced the price of 750 products, especially so-called volume products, in some cases by more than ten per cent.“We have thus reacted to …

Suppliers15. June 2023

Construction starts in Nowy TomySl

Josera builds dry food plant in Poland

The German pet food manufacturer Josera is expanding with the construction of a modern dry food plant in Nowy Tomysl, Poland. On 24 May, a …

Suppliers8. June 2023

E-commerce team boosted

Zooplus broadens its management team

Zooplus, Europe’s leading online platform for pet supplies, has announced the appointment of Anja Honnefelder as chief people officer and C…

Distribution6. June 2023

Financial head since 2016

Symrise extends Olaf Klinger’s contract

The supervisory board of Symrise AG decided at its meeting on 9 May to extend the contract of chief financial …

Suppliers16. May 2023

Emergency earthquake aid for Turkey and Syria

Fressnapf and its customers donate generously

At the beginning of February, Turkey and Syria experienced a catastrophic earthquake, which killed thousands of people and damaged or …

Distribution11. May 2023

Patented dog toys

Hunter marketing Flingerz products in Europe

Hunter, a leading manufacturer of high-quality pet products, has announced that it is working with the well-known American brand F…

Distribution9. May 2023

Brand and campaign management for Europe

Claudia Lührs leaves Fressnapf

Claudia Lührs, who was responsible for Fressnapf’s brand and campaign management in Europe, left the company on 1 May.She has joined Tonies, a …

Distribution9. May 2023

Worm and urine tests for dogs and cats

Trixie and Pezz cooperate

As part of the Trixie Ventures initiative, Trixie has entered into cooperation with the start-up company Pezz. Since 1 May, Trixie, which is based in …

Suppliers4. May 2023

New head of brand & communications

Vegdog adds to its team

In April, Philipp Elsbrock became head of brand & communications at the pet food supplier Vegdog. In this newly created role, he will oversee the brand …

Suppliers4. May 2023

Announcement on LinkedIn

Xavier Garcia leaves Terra Canis

Xavier Garcia, former director of business development for Europe and Asia at Terra Canis, is to leave the company, which is part of Nestlé Purina…

Suppliers2. May 2023

Good first quarter

Symrise reports sales growth of 12.8 per cent

Symrise AG, a listed supplier of fragrances and flavourings to customers including the pet supplies industry, has made a successful …

Suppliers27. April 2023

Personnel change on 1 May

Marc Soldner takes over as sales director at JR Farm

On 1 May, Marc Soldner assumes the role of sales director at JR Farm and Blue Tree. He succeeds Roman Schmuki, who is leaving …

Suppliers20. April 2023

Completion scheduled for 2024

Agravis builds a new logistics hub

A groundbreaking ceremony has signalled the start of preparations for the construction of a new logistics hub for retail group Agravis Raiffeisen…

Distribution20. April 2023

Germany

Granata Pet builds a Pet Campus

The German pet food company Granata Pet has embarked on the construction of a Pet Campus with a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony at the site in …

Suppliers18. April 2023

Third time in a row

Award for Josera

The pet food manufacturer Josera has won the Promotional Gift Award for the third time in a row. After children’s book “Seppl und die Rasselbande” and the snapshot…

Suppliers13. April 2023

Pet owning in Germany

Decline in the number of cats

German households were home to 34.4 million dogs, cats, small animals and cage birds last year, along with ornamental fish and reptiles. 46 per cent …

Suppliers11. April 2023

The German pet supplies market in 2022

Total turnover: 6.5 bn euros

With a total turnover of 5.126 bn euros, the German pet sector recorded an increase in turnover of 7.1 per cent in the stationary specialised and food …

Distribution6. April 2023

SPECIALIST RETAIL BRAND OF THE YEAR

Award for Eheim

This year, 62 brands were honoured with the Plus X Award. The spectrum covered a wide range of industries and product groups, from electronics, smartphones, …

Suppliers4. April 2023

Vote to have a chance of winning

Only a few days left to vote

PET worldwide is looking for the Product of the Year 2022/2023 and voting is already well under way. The latest issue of PET worldwide features the …

Distribution28. March 2023

Fiscal 2022/2023

Hornbach grows by 6.3 per cent

The DIY store and garden centre operator Hornbach substantially increased its sales in fiscal 2022/23. The company announced that net sales of …

Distribution28. March 2023

Expansion

Das Futterhaus opens three new stores

The pet store chain Das Futterhaus, which has over 400 stores in Germany and Austria, has opened three new stores in March. These are in Kiel …

Distribution23. March 2023

"more compact routes"

New hall plan for Interzoo 2024

“Both veteran Interzoo exhibitors and new companies and start-ups have signalled their considerable interest in Interzoo 2024 to us in many industry…

Events21. March 2023

Project with Hundemaxx in Munich

First German “Ruffwear Competence Centre”

The Accapi Group, exclusive European distributor of the American dog brand Ruffwear, has established its first German “competence centre” …

Suppliers21. March 2023

Two new top managers on board

Zooplus strengthens its team

Zooplus, Europe’s leading online platform for pet requisites, has announced the appointment of Alejandro Bethlen as chief merchandising officer and J…

Distribution28. February 2023

Fressnapf

Future Store 3.0 has arrived

At Fressnapf a new Future Store generation has been launched. The company hopes that the new store concept, which is to be rolled out gradually …

Distribution1/2023

German pet sector

United front against a “positive list”

In the last few years, a “positive list” for keeping pets has already been introduced in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. In Germany, …

Distribution26. January 2023

Logistics hub in Krefeld

Galaxus Germany now delivering to Italy

The Galaxus online store is now operating in Italy as well as Switzerland, Germany, Austria and France. Italian orders will be delivered for…

Distribution26. January 2023

Interim results for fiscal 2022

Symrise reports sales of 4.6 bn euros

Symrise, a listed international producer of fragrances and flavourings for customers including the pet supplies industry, has reported o…

Suppliers24. January 2023

150 m² store near Hamburg

Hunter opens a new brand store

Pet accessories company Hunter has opened its third brand store in Germany. The company already operates 30 such brand stores worldwide. In its new …

Distribution17. January 2023

Thorsten Laing

Das Futterhaus appoints a new expansion manager

Thorsten Laing has joined German speciality retailer Das Futterhaus, where he will oversee the company’s expansion. He succeeds …

Distribution17. January 2023

Pan-European concept

Fressnapf launches new Future Store generation

At Fressnapf a new Future Store generation has been launched. The retailer hopes that the new store concept, which is to be rolled …

Distribution20. December 2022

21 new stores in 2022

Das Futterhaus continues to expand

The opening of a store in Berlin-Waidmannslust on 14 December brings the expansion of German corporate group Das Futterhaus to an end for this …

Distribution20. December 2022

Sadness in the pet sector

Norbert Zajac has passed away

Norbert Zajac has passed away. The charismatic pet retailer, who would have been 68 on 27 December, died suddenly and unexpectedly on 13 December. His…

Distribution15. December 2022

Issue No. 5

New issue of PET worldwide published

The dog accessory market is changing. Dog accessories drive sales and sales are growing, but the trend towards sustainability and supply chain …

Distribution22. November 2022

More space for raw materials

Seitz Group expands its warehousing and production

German pet food manufacturer Seitz is expanding its warehouse and production capacity at the company’s headquarters close to …

Suppliers22. November 2022

Distribution in Germany and Austria

Aqua United takes over Flipper distribution

The aquatics company Aqua United, which is based in Germany, has announced that it is to assume exclusive responsibility for …

Suppliers17. November 2022

Moving to a new post

From Terra Canis to Velivery.com

Birgitta Ornau, founder and long-standing managing director of the pet food manufacturer Terra Canis, has switched sectors and is now managing …

Suppliers8. November 2022

Contract extended to 2025

Fressnapf and Payback to continue cooperation

The Fressnapf Group is extending its contract with the biggest German bonus programme Payback until at least 2025. According to Dr …

Distribution3. November 2022

Nearly 3.5 bn euros

Symrise reports big sales growth

Symrise, a listed supplier of fragrances and flavourings to customers including the pet products industry, has reported organic sales growth of 11.…

Suppliers1. November 2022

New products and services for pets

Fressnapf Group presents innovation awards

The Fressnapf Group has presented five innovation awards in Düsseldorf. Products and services in various categories submitted by more …

Distribution27. October 2022

Fressnapf

“Cloudy and stormy times ahead”

“2022 has new challenges: a new economic environment is evolving – cloudy or stormy times ahead.” This is how Heiko Bücker, senior vice president of…

Distribution20. October 2022

JRS Petcare

Köble & Erbrich take over management

JRS Petcare, an international supplier of environmentally friendly pet litter, has restructured following the departure of Michael Bodfeld. …

Suppliers20. October 2022

Geoffroy Lefebvre

Zooplus gets new CEO

Europe's leading online pet retailer Zooplus is getting a new CEO at the turn of the year. According to press reports, Geoffroy Lefebvre is to take over the …

Distribution11. October 2022

Issue no. 4 of the year

The new PET worldwide is here

Almost 114 million cats were believed to be kept as pets in Europe in 2021. Numerous manufacturers and specialist retailers of cat food and …

Distribution6. October 2022

March to August

Sales in Hornbach DIY stores up by 4.9 per cent

Net sales in Hornbach’s DIY stores and garden centres as well as from online shops in nine European countries rose by 4.9 per cent …

Distribution4. October 2022

Staff changes

European key account changes at Royal Canin

On 1 October, Christian Pfeil will assume the newly created role of European key account director at Royal Canin. He will be responsible…

Suppliers27. September 2022

Regular elections

IVH board remains in office

Voting for the committees of the Industrial Association of Pet Care Producers (Industrieverband Heimtierbedarf; IVH) at the general meeting in Berlin …

Suppliers22. September 2022

Offensive with insect-based pet food

Welzhofer acquires a majority holding in Eat Small

The wild bird food specialist Welzhofer in Schönebach has acquired a majority holding in the Berlin-based dog food supplier Eat …

Suppliers15. September 2022

Das Futterhaus

Cooperation with award-winning start-up company

Roughly 11 million tons of plastic end up in the sea every year, and this figure could more than double in the decades to come. In …

Distribution15. September 2022

Partner alliance planned for Benelux

Fressnapf eyes a fresh start in the Netherlands

Problems in the supply chains, high inflation and growing consumer reticence, a shortage of raw materials and the lingering …

Distribution13. September 2022

Many new openings planned in Romania and Croatia

Fressnapf expands strongly in South Eastern Europe

The Fressnapf Group has taken significant steps in its Southeast European expansion. The opening of its own Fressnapf store in …

Distribution8. September 2022

Further personnel reinforcement

New managers at Das Futterhaus

The corporate group Das Futterhaus has further strengthened its personnel. Three new managers started in September: Sven von Saenger, the new head of…

Distribution6. September 2022

Change at the top of Beaphar

Christoph Hubo succeeds Joachim Kniest

At Beaphar, Christoph Hubo has taken over from Joachim Kniest as head of the German subsidiary in Emmerich am Rhein. He has 25 years of …

Suppliers1. September 2022

Delivery in 35 minutes

Fressnapf tests Wolt delivery service

Europe’s leading pet store chain Fressnapf is testing a new service in two German cities. In collaboration with Finnish technology firm Wolt, …

Distribution30. August 2022

Promotion for Sammy’s Snacks and Dogs Creek

Petfluencers travel across Europe

In a promotion with the Sammy´s Snacks line of Bosch Tiernahrung and Fressnapf’s exclusive Dogs Creek brand, ten petfluencers are travelling …

Distribution18. August 2022

Germany

Optimistic outlook at Sagaflor

Despite the difficult political and economic situation at present, an air of optimism exists at German specialised trade organisation Sagaflor. Last …

Distribution16. August 2022

Free online workshop

Digestive problems in dogs and horses

Pet owners are displaying growing interest in traditional therapy approaches such as phytotherapy, according to the manufacturer Kräuter Mix. …

Suppliers11. August 2022

First half of 2022

Symrise sales surge

The operations of Symrise, a listed supplier of fragrances and flavourings for the pet products industry among others, have performed outstandingly in the first…

Suppliers9. August 2022