Pet Valu and Pet Supermarket Announce Merge, Creation of Pet Retail Brands

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Pet Valu and Pet Supermarket announced on July 11 that they have merged to create the third largest pet specialty retailer and the largest small format, neighborhood pet specialty retailer in North America, resulting in the combined business Pet Retail Brands.

With over 930 stores, it will generate approximately $1 billion in system-wide retail sales across the US and Canada. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Pet Valu was taken private by an affiliate of Roark Capital in August 2009. Pet Supermarket was acquired by an affiliate of Roark Capital in April of 2015. Pet Retail Brands will remain headquartered in Markham, Ontario, and Pet Supermarket operations will continue to be based in Sunrise, Florida.

As part of the transaction, Thomas McNeely becomes President and Chief Executive Officer of Pet Retail Brands. McNeely has been CEO of Pet Valu since August 2009.

“Bringing together two of the fastest growing pet specialty retailers creates a powerful platform to share resources and best practices to support both Pet Supermarket, Pet Valu and their loyal customers,” McNeely said. “I look forward to working with all of the employees of Pet Supermarket as well as Pet Valu franchisees to grow these brands, which have been providing pets with superior products and service for over 40 years.”

Concurrent with the closing of the transaction, Diane Holtz announced her retirement from her role as Pet Supermarket’s President and CEO. Holtz joined Pet Supermarket in 1992 and has served as President and COO since 2002. She was President and CEO and a member of the Board since 2015.

McNeely announced the appointments of Julie Johnston as Chief Merchandising and Supply Chain Officer for Pet Retail Brands, Tina Shane as Senior Vice President of Operations for Pet Supermarket and Christine Martin Bevilacqua as Chief Administration Officer for Pet Retail Brands.