Pet Valu and Pet Supermarket announce merger
Pet Valu and Pet Supermarket announced that they have merged, creating the third largest pet specialty retailer and the largest small format, neighborhood, pet specialty retailer in North America. The combined business will be named Pet Retail Brands, and with more than 930 store locations, Pet Retail Brands is expected to generate approximately $1 billion in system-wide retail sales across North America. Pet Retail Brands will have a vast retail footprint with stores spanning from the East Coast to the West Coast. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Both Pet Valu and Pet Supermarket are one-stop shops for customers, offering a broad selection of premium pet food, supplies and services sold by knowledgeable staff focused on enhancing the overall customer experience. Small format stores provide pet owners with the convenience to shop locally in a community-oriented environment, delivered by employees who develop lasting connections with their customers.
In 2009, Pet Valu was taken private by an affiliate of Roark Capital. Six years later, in 2015, Pet Supermarket was acquired by an affiliate of Roark Capital. Pet Retail Brands will remain headquartered in Markham, Ontario and Pet Supermarket operations will continue to be based in Sunrise, Florida.
As part of the transaction, Thomas McNeely will become president and CEO of Pet Retail Brands. McNeely has been CEO of Pet Valu since 2009. Diane Holtz has announced her retirement from her role as Pet Supermarket’s president and CEO. Holtz joined Pet Supermarket in 1992 and has served as president and COO since 2002. She was president and CEO and a board member since 2015.
Julie Johnston has been appointed as chief merchandising and supply chain officer for Pet Retail Brands, Tina Shane as svp, operations for Pet Supermarket and Christine Martin Bevilacqua as chief administration officer for Pet Retail Brands. Joe Dent, general manager and vice president of operations at Pet Valu US since 2010, will be leading real estate strategy in the US for Pet Supermarket and Pet Valu.
Johnston joined Pet Valu in 2005 and most recently held the position of vice president overseeing merchandising, marketing and supply chain. Shane joined Pet Valu in 2014 as vice president of corporate stores for Pet Valu. Martin Bevilacqua joined Pet Valu in 2002 as vice president of human resources and later added corporate administration and franchise sales to her portfolio.
Merchandising will be a shared service supporting both Pet Valu and Pet Supermarket with separate and distinct assortment strategies. Senior management is in the process of restructuring and expanding the category management team to serve both banners and will continue to maintain merchandising teams in Markham, Ontario, Beavercreek, Ohio and Sunrise, Florida.