September
People are splurging on their pets like never before
Americans are now spending more on their fur babies than they do on childcare, part of a trend across developed nations.
- The Economist
July
EBOS chews over Quadrant’s pet food biz Prime100
Quadrant has brought in Houlihan Lokey for the strategic review of Prime100 which is a supplier to Greencross’ Petbarn retail chain.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
- Exclusive
- Private equity
Quadrant taps Houlihan Lokey for premium pet food review
The private equity firm with a strong track record in the pets category is mulling its options, including a sale of the premium Prime100 brand.
- Carrie LaFrenz
- Analysis
- Analysis
Meme stock kingpin’s latest play has hit a brick wall
The man behind the GameStop mania of 2021 has a new $US250 million bet: pet food retailer Chewy, but it isn’t going to plan.
- Nick Bonyhady
May
PetO snares stores from Woolworths-backed pet group
The supermarket giant’s long-running process to buy PETstock completed the last competition hurdle with privately held PetO swooping in to acquire some sites.
- Carrie LaFrenz
April
New airline Bark bets big on $9278 flights for dogs
Pets are often flown to the wrong destinations or mishandled by airport staff. This private jet service, including “dog Champagne”, aims to solve that.
- Lebawit Lily Girma
March
Danish pet food giant laps up local producer Staughton Group
Sources said Ridley, a major producer of animal feed with a market capitalisation of some $700 million, was the underbidder for Staughton.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
December 2023
ACCC gives nod to Woolworths pets deal with asset sales in tow
The purchase price for the supermarket giant’s 55 per cent stake in the pet company is now expected to be $438 million, reduced from $586 million.
- Carrie LaFrenz
Competition regulator drags its paws on Woolworths’ PETstock buy
Next week will mark the 12-month anniversary of Street Talk’s report that the supermarket giant was preparing to buy the pet foods and accessories group.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Having a dog cuts your dementia risk by 40pc, scientists claim
Researchers in Japan say their study is the first time that science has established a clear link between owning a dog and the onset of dementia.
- Julian Ryall
November 2023
Tech wreck pessimism no match for AI and Australia’s pet obsession
Mad Paws is struggling to win over ASX investors despite robust growth, while Aussie firms making autonomous vehicles and AI road cameras are thriving.
- Paul Smith
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Inside the $4b Greencross bellyflop – and what it means for deals
Someone has cooked the golden goose, and fingers are pointing at underwriters, investors, private equity and advisers, after last week’s spectacular blow up.
- Anthony Macdonald
October 2023
Woolworths target PETstock to divest stores, vets after ACCC red flag
After a prolonged investigation, the competition regulator found several historical transactions by the pet retailer may have breached competition laws.
- Carrie LaFrenz
Who let the dogs on? The only ship that welcomes pets
Hundreds of pampered four-legged fur babies cruise the trans-Atlantic route between New York and Southampton each year.
- Fiona Carruthers
July 2023
Pet Circle keeps billion-dollar valuation in raising from one investor
The online pet supplies business’ latest funding round is smaller and without high-profile backers including AirTree Ventures and TDM Growth Partners.
- Paul Smith
June 2023
- Exclusive
- Retail
The not-so-secret life of pets
By anyone’s measure, pet care in Australia remains big business, but can the incredible growth last?
- Carrie LaFrenz
May 2023
Pemba Capital Partners books Vets Central for a check-up, RFP out
Turns out TPG Capital’s Greencross Vets is not the only pets-and-vets business in the dealmaking pipeline.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
How hotels are rolling out the red carpet for pets
Although many inns have long welcomed pets, today all kinds of lodgings are courting them with new packages and amenities.
- Stephanie Rosenbloom
- Exclusive
- ACCC
Woolworths pet acquisition stirs old competition issues
Woolworths may have to ditch some retail stores as part of its latest purchase, Petspiration Group, to get the deal over the line with the ACCC.
- Carrie LaFrenz
April 2023
Who let the dogs in (Canva and Amazon, for two)
It’s a game-changing perk for young workers in some of our newer corporations.
- Maida Pineda