Bunnings; pet section could potentially collapse small stores

On Tuesday, Bunnings announced it will embark on its “biggest category expansion in 20 years”, in the coming weeks.

A small pet store owner has expressed fears about the future of his business after Bunnings announced a foray into pet items.

On Tuesday, Bunnings announced it will embark on its “biggest category expansion in 20 years,” in the coming weeks.

The hardware retailer has long welcomed pets into stores – now in a big shake-up to its range it’s going to double down on products for those furry friends.

Bunnings has said it will go from offering a few hundred lines of pet products to around 1000 items, including food and toys.

Bunnings managing director Mike Schneider and his dog Henry.

The move will rankle Woolworths which last year spent $586 million for a controlling stake in the parent company of the PETstock chain.

Now this move will see Woolies and Bunnings go head to head over chewy toys, treats and leads.

And it will happen soon, with Bunnings hoping to roll out dedicated pet areas in stores by the end of March.

Emmanuel Devo’s family has owned Junction Pets Pantry in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs since the 1970s.

He told 9 News that since big brands such as Pet Barn and online retail stores like Amazon, he has witness things such as “predatory pricing”.

Bunnings move ‘threatens small businesses’. Picture: Supplied

Mr Devo said it was a different game now, and many independent stores have been forced to shutter shop.

“We used to sell multiple kennels many moons ago,” Mr Devo said.

“But that went by the wayside once you had players like Bunnings, I presume, dealing in these sort of heavy-gauge bulky goods.

“That was their prowess … and that became more prevalent as time went by.”

He said with box stores and shopping centres such as Westfield, it has stamped out diversity in the industry.