Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo lifts profit as same-store sales soften

Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo grew 2025 revenue to €3.7 billion and lifted operating profit about 11% to €380 million, even as like-for-like sales slipped 0.8% in a still-tough European pet retail market. The company said growth was driven by international expansion, cost discipline, and changes to central structures, with 195 new stores opened across 15 countries, including a heavy push in France, Italy, and Poland. It also said international markets now account for 67% of group revenue, and that it plans to keep expanding omnichannel tools, e-commerce, and smart pricing in 2026. (presse.fressnapf.de)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the update is another sign that large pet retail groups are protecting margins through scale, pricing sophistication, private-label growth, and tighter operations even when same-store demand softens. That matters because retailers like Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo shape how pet parents encounter food, wellness products, and preventive care adjacent categories, especially as specialist stores and digital channels keep gaining importance in pet care purchasing. The company’s 2024 annual report also pointed to stronger omnichannel pricing, Click & Collect expansion, and e-commerce at about 13% of merchandise revenue, suggesting the competitive pressure on clinic-adjacent retail and nutrition recommendations will keep evolving. (presse.fressnapf.de)

What to watch: In 2026, watch whether Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo can turn store expansion, urban formats, and Europe-wide smart pricing into renewed like-for-like growth, not just better profitability. (presse.fressnapf.de)