Bunnings, the well-known Australian retail hardware chain, recently announced their biggest category expansion in two decades. This expansion will double the range of pet products available in their stores. In the coming weeks, customers are able to find over 1000 lines of pet products, including food, toys, and more.
The retailer has always been a pet-friendly store, allowing customers to bring their pets into the store. This new category expansion is a great way to make sure that their customers have access to all the products they need to take care of their furry friends.
Last year, Woolworths spent $586 million for a controlling stake in the parent company of the PETstock chain, which will undoubtedly cause resentment.
“We are planning a major overhaul of our pet selection in our stores over the next four weeks, which is the biggest category expansion in Bunnings in two decades,” managing director Mike Schneider told The Australian.
The store will now have a zone dedicated to pet-related products, taking up about 40sq m of the space previously used for children’s playground equipment, which will now be located in a smaller area.
After the pandemic caused a surge in puppy ownership, Australians have seen unprecedented numbers of pet ownership. This has resulted in the specialty pet sector becoming worth a remarkable $10 billion per year. Additionally, dog ownership increased by 25% between 2019 and 2022 and the number of pet cats rocketed by 43%.