NewsBite

Pets

March

Listed UK veterinary company CVS Group has been buying up vet practices in Australia. 

Why a British vet giant is circling Australia

London-listed pets-and-vets company CVS Group has already spent more than $200 million on buying vet practices Down Under. Here’s why the UK player is so keen.

February

A woman walks her two dogs in St Kilda Botanical Gardens. Demand for premium pet foods has soared, along with pet ownership.

Colgate-Palmolive swoops on Quadrant’s $500m pets business

The New York-listed consumer products giant is best known for dish soaps and toothpaste brands, but has been growing its exposure to the pet sector.

Wash that pooch: Australian Build-to-rent developments are low on car parks but big on amenities such as pet facilities.

Why you can have a pet – but no car – in build to rent

Good public transport access is key to Australian build-to-rent housing and car parks aren’t crucial. But that will change as the sector broadens.

January

A sale process is expected to get underway for Real Pet Food Company.

Bone appetite! $1b-plus sellside gig for Real Pet Food Co on offer

Street Talk understands private equity-backed Real Pet Food Company has issued requests for proposals to investment bankers.

Chad Burke, head of online pet speciality retailer Swaggle, says he “killed the PowerPoint culture” to more quickly get to the nub of an issue.

Why this young retail boss ‘killed the PowerPoint culture’

Chad Burke, head of Swaggle, an online pet specialty retailer owned by Coles, cut down on slide decks in meetings to promote better collaboration.

Advertisement
Yao-Chung Chang and Jason Coates with their pug Valentino who cost $20,000 to bring to Australia when they moved here from Japan.

It cost $20k to bring a dog to Australia, but that was just the start

If there was a pet under your tree this Christmas, buckle up for a lifetime of expense (along with the love, of course).

December 2024

8 glittery gifts for your partner

From signature jewellery that cries “look at me!” to subtle looks and personalised pieces, we’ve got you covered.

November 2024

Greencross chairman Joel Thickins, centre has appointed Lucas Barry, right, as the new CEO to succeed George Wahby.

Greencross names new CEO as TPG eyes exit path

The new chief executive of the vet clinics and Petbarn and City Farmers pet stores arrives amid intense competition from Woolworths and other big retailers.

October 2024

Victorian businessman Bruce Dixon.

Animal spirits: sponsors, trade stalk Apiam Animal Health

Sources said Vizard has fielded a handful of non-binding, indicative proposals this year, including from EQT, Quadrant and a trade player out of Canada.

September 2024

Some 95 per cent of Generation Z pet owners buy their animal a gift at least once a year.

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.

July 2024

Prime100, a fast-growing pet food maker, specialises in premium single protein products that are designed to help dogs and cats with potential allergies.

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.

Prime100 pet food.

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.

Keith Gill is a GameStop investor known on social media forums as Roaring Kitty. His trading has caused a rally in GameStop shares.

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.

May 2024

PetO co-founders Nick Greenhalgh and David Rowe.

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.

April 2024

Bark Air is the latest offering from the company behind a subscription service for popular dog treats.

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.

Advertisement

March 2024

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.

December 2023

The COVID-19 pet boom spurred Woolworths to invest in the $10 billion specialty pet sector.

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.

Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci is still looking to get ACCC approval for its PETstock deal.

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.

Having a dog is linked to better health for older people.

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.

November 2023

Alexis Soulopoulos and Justus Hammer co-founders of Mad Paws, are confident they are in a fast-growing and recession-proof sector.

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.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/pets-hnm