Livonia-based Pet Supplies Plus will acquire an estimated 40 previously operated Pet Valu locations. Financial details of the transaction, which was announced Tuesday, were not disclosed.
The locations are throughout Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and some locations are expected to reopen with Pet Supplies Plus branding, products, and services as early as January.
Pet Valu announced last month that it was shutting down all U.S. operations including 358 stores. Pet Supplies Plus has more than 500 stores in 35 states. The newly acquired stores will be a mixture of corporate and franchisee-owned Pet Supplies Plus locations.
“I would like to extend gratitude to the Pet Valu team, who have been nothing but professional and supportive throughout this entire process,” says Nick Russo, senior vice president of franchising and store operations for Pet Supplies Plus. “This exemplifies the type of culture Pet Valu has developed, and we are excited to offer many Pet Valu associates a new home with us.”
Pet Supplies Plus has experienced an increase in customer spending on pets since the pandemic began in March, Russo says. The demand for franchising opportunities has also increased. The company is expected to open an estimated 100 new stores in 2021 including the Pet Valu locations, more than doubling the number of stores opened this year.
Along with pet supplies, some Pet Supplies Plus locations offer in-store services such as grooming and vet clinics. The stores also offer online shopping with same-day delivery, as well as curbside pickup.
