Nationwide pet retailer unveils plans to open new Wrexham store

A nationwide pet retailer has unveiled plans to open a new store in Wrexham.

Jollyes is looking to expand its store numbers after it saw revenue increase to £42 million in the half year to 30 November, a 12.5 per cent rise in like-for-like sales against a year earlier and by 30 per cent the same period in 2019.

December also sales broke all company records, including a surge in demand for dog toys – reflecting the broader trend for “humanisation”, as dogs, cats and other animals are treated like companions amid growing awareness of the mental health benefits of keeping pets.

Now Jollyes is building on its success with plans to open 20 new stores in the next 12 months and looking for more acquisitions following the successful purchase of two businesses in 2021 which took the total number of stores to over 70 for the first time.

The company, which already has a store in Flint, has announced it will open a new store in Wrexham in a yet to be confirmed location during the first half of 2022.

Richard Cotter, executive chairman of Jollyes, said: “To come through the pandemic and all of the challenges it has presented to retailers in such good shape is testimony to the hard work of everyone at the business.

“The tremendous half year sales and record December numbers show how much customers appreciate the work we’ve done to develop our ranges and invest in our people.

“We’re well placed to push ahead with our ambitious growth and investment plans with an exciting pipeline of new stores and refurbishments, and keen looking for acquisition opportunities across the UK.”