Jollyes announces expansion following record sales surge, including new Cookstown store
Pet chain Jollyes is setting out ambitious expansion plans following a record sale surge, including launching a new store in Cookstown next month.
In the first half of 2022, it will be opening a total of 20 new UK stores. The company says one of its top performing stores last year was Enniskillen, delivering like for like growth of over 30 per cent compared to the prior year.
The pet chain says it has cemented its relationships with existing suppliers to develop new and extended ranges, such as its Lifestage dog food supplied by Mackle Petfoods of County Armagh, widening the availability of frozen yoghurt made by Belfast-based Frozzys and introducing dog beds from Dublin-based Beddies.
Jollyes said sales have surged to a record high, including its busiest Christmas Eve when dog owners rushed out to buy presents for furry family members.
In the half year to 30 November, revenue increased to £42 million, 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.
The latest results indicate the UK has still not reached ‘Peak Dog’ as Britain became a nation of pandemic pet parents, it says.
Record breaking
December 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.
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.
It is also investing in its existing store portfolio, in new product ranges, marketing and in recruitment and training to reinforce its position as “The Pet People”.
The company acquired Yorkshire-based The Pet Store in October 2021 with three stores at Barnsley, Denby Dale and Wakefield, and bought Bannerbrook Pets in Coventry in November.
It moved into a new store in Bristol, and relocated a store at Newtownabbey to Glengormley.
Jollyes continued investment in its online offer at www.jollyes.co.uk to bring a nationwide delivery on over 6,000 key items, integrating with a full click-and-collect service through its store network, and launched a recruitment drive for 150 young people to get their dream job working with animals and invested in training to build on its reputation for expert advice.
Hard work
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.”
Among the top performing stores during the half year were Enniskillen, Skegness, Maidstone and Gloucester all delivering like for like growth of over 30 per cent compared to the prior year.
Caption: Lloyd Orr, Jollyes Cookstown Store Manager, Laura Hadden, Regional Manager, Jollyes and James Turkington.
