Fressnapf/Maxi Zoo expand across Europe: 33 new stores in the first half-year

01.07.2010

Foot to the floor - true to this motto, Fressnapf has continued its expansion course during the first half-year of 2010. In Germany alone, the Krefeld specialty retail chain for pet food and accessories opened eleven new stores. Across Europe, 22 new locations were added. Fressnapf can now count 1,098 stores in Europe with 769 of them in Germany.Growth curve in Germany

In the first half-year, Fressnapf further extended its presence in the home market. The first two stores in 2010 got off to a start at the beginning of February in Castrop-Rauxel and Kaarst. More new openings followed in mid-February with Bonn-Bad Godesberg and Hoyerswerda. In March, Hückelhoven, Solingen and Schweich each saw a Fressnapf open its portals. From April to the end of June the locations in Lengerich, Herne, Zeitz and Kleinheubach were added.

Austria and France expanding rapidly

Austria and France appeared particularly expansive during the first half-year of 2010. Six new stores opened for business within a short space of time. Thus pet owners in Linz, Weiz, Knittelfeld, Oberwart and Innsbruck are able to stock up straightaway with pet food and accessories from Fressnapf. A Megazoo in Neu-Rum near Innsbruck was also among the new Austrian openings. After Germany, Austria features the densest store network in Europe with currently 101 Fressnapf and Megazoo locations. The six new French stores, which go under the name of Maxi Zoo, are situated in Chenôve, Montélimar, Beauvais, Cholet, Rivesaltes and Herblay.

New locations on the Fressnapf map of Europe

In Hungary, too, all the signs are pointing to expansion. Four new branches were added in the Danube republic: Keszthely, Dunaújváros, Dunaharaszti and Vác. Two each of the additional locations on the Fressnapf map of Europe were charted by the countries Switzerland and Denmark. Thus Swiss animal lovers can look forward to the new Fressnapf stores in Langenthal and Pratteln. In Denmark, one Maxi Zoo each opened up in Nykøbing Falster and Esbjerg. Also on the expansion curve are Ireland and Belgium. The stores in the Irish town of Bray and Belgium's Ghent greeted their first customers with balloon chains on the opening day

 

Fressnapf / Maxi Zoo Sets new World Record !

31.05.2010

World record: 452 paws for animal welfare

 

 

Wow and woof: world record at “St. Wauli”! 452 canines simultaneously lifted their paws for world record and animal welfare at the dog festival at Heiligengeistfeld in Hamburg. The feat was the finale of Fressnapf’s major fundraising campaign “Give Paw!” in support of the German animal welfare association. The campaign already raised 150,000 euros from the sale of “Give Paw” stickers in Fressnapf stores at the end of last year. Fressnapf further increased this sum by 10 euros per nose for the world record holders, i.e. an increase of 4,520 euros. TV dog psychologist Martin Rütter and his D.O.G.S. team increased the donation by a further 5,000 euros. Fressnapf Managing Director Marc Lukies presented the donation cheque for 160,000 euros to German animal welfare association president Wolfgang Apel, following the world record.

“Dogs of Hamburg, give paw!” – Two and four-legged friends across the 1,000m2 St. Wauli event arena sprung into action at the call of Marc Lukies, who gave the starting signal for the record. The furry stars of the day demonstrated full commitment with plenty of tail wagging, as every paw counted. The proud result: 452 paws simultaneously extended towards their masters and mistresses. Fressnapf found out in advance that a feat of this kind has never been attempted before anywhere in the world, meaning that this was and is without a doubt a world record! Martin Rütter ensured that everything ran smoothly and all St. Wauli dogs cooperated with a give paw training session shortly before the world record.

“This record is truly inspiring. I am impressed at just how many animal lovers participated today and showed their support for animal welfare together with their pet in this way!” said Wolfgang Apel, president of the German animal welfare association on the feat. “We do not receive any grants from the government, so we are dependent on dedicated companies like Fressnapf. With this considerable donation of 160,000 euros, we can save animals and support our financially stricken animal shelters with immediate help. St. Wauli has been a good day for all animal lovers!”

Marc Lukies, who handed over the donation check, was likewise thrilled at the success of the campaign. “We took a unique approach with this world record and have achieved much with a small action. Giving paw is one of the best symbols for the loving partnership between human and canine, making it the perfect symbol for our animal welfare campaign. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all Fressnapf customers who bought a paw sticker last year, as well as all St. Wauli visitors who set the record today. In future, we will try to beat today's world record at St. Wauli and other Fressnapf dog festivals, such as at “Bavaria Dogs” in Munich!”

 

PRESS RELEASE 03.02.2010

Award-winning franchiser

Fressnapf receives Global PETS Award 2010

Krefeld, 03.02.2010 -  Specialty chain Fressnapf has been recognised with the “Global PETS Award 2010” in Vienna. The Prize is awarded annually as part of the international “Global PETS Forum” to companies in the pet retail industry that demonstrate outstanding success.

A top-ranking jury of decision makers from the pet industry judged the nominated companies from retail and industry according to the five criteria -  sustainability, innovation, adequate target group approach, international expansion and a sense of responsibility for animals and the environment. In comparison to the other companies nominated, the jury was particularly impressed with Fressnapf’s business model and the company’s continually strong growth since its founding in 1990. “It’s a very special honour for Fressnapf and our franchise partners to be awarded this prize by our peers in the pet industry. The award confirms that we, as retailers, are a nose ahead of the competition with the best concepts, products and services for Europe’s pets and pet owners,” said Fressnapf CEO Torsten Toeller at the awards ceremony.

Fressnapf has already been honoured with several prizes – In 2003, Torsten Toeller was voted “Entrepreneur of the Year”, and Fressnapf was awarded the “Franchiser of the Year” in 2004. One year later, the company was awarded the “Golden Zuckerhut” (“Golden Sugar Loaf”), the highest award in the retail industry, in recognition of its outstanding success.Entrepreneur magazine “impulse” has voted Fressnapf as one of Germany’s three best franchise systems every year since 2006. The 2007 “Award of Excellence” from the European Community of Experts in Marketing and Sales (“Club 55”) went to Torsten Toeller.

The company was also awarded the “PET Retailer of the Year” in 2008.

 

Maxi Zoo Donates

 

World Animal Week

Our annual event to celebrate the joy of pet ownership has once again allowed us to support worthwhile causes, and this year was no different..

The Animal Care Society has been a longtime passion of Maxi Zoo and our customers alike, for their tireless efforts to ensure that all animals receive the love and care they deserve. However this can prove difficult given the huge costs involved in rescuing and caring for neglected animals.

Thanks to the support of our customers, we are proud to present some additional funding for this cause..

Pictured are Ann Fitzgerald ( A.C.S.) and Darren Spoonley

( Maxi Zoo ) presenting a cheque for €674.40 at our Ballincollig Store.

We would like to wish the A.C.S. continued success and encourage our customers & patrons to support this and other animal cause in your areas..

 

Full Steam Ahead

 

29th September, 2009

Maxi Zoo, the undisputed number one for pet supplies in Europe has announced a €10m expansion plan.  The company currently has four stores in Ireland, [Ballincollig, Midleton, Limerick and Longford]; this expansion will see a further 20 stores opening across Ireland in next 4-5 years resulting in the creation of 100 jobs.  The first of the new stores are due to open in Dublin and Kildare in November.Making the announcement, Tony Cross, Managing Director of Maxi Zoo Ireland feels that the current economic climate has brought great opportunities for business expansion; “The Irish pet industry has seen changes in recent years, with smaller pet stores are being replaced by larger outlets.  Like Aldi and Lidl, Maxi Zoo operates a discounter business model, the additional stores will drive greater competition which will result in significant savings to the Irish consumer, with Ireland’s pet food and pet care products market currently valued at around €199.7 and set to be worth €205.4 million in 2010. We are confident of continued success in the Irish Market”Maxi Zoo is part of the German Fressnapf group which has over 1000 stores in Europe is not a traditional ‘Pet Store’, in fact Midleton is the only store that actually sells pets.  The stores are a supermarket for pet supplies offering over 7000 discounted products at discounted prices, exclusive brands, and expert consultations. “One of our success factors is that we orientate ourselves closely to the wishes of our customers and have something in common with them, we are all animal lovers and this sets us apart from the majority of the competition" continued Mr Cross, “our staff are trained as Pet Experts and can offer free advice in store”.