Andrew Cooke
Managing director, Donald Cooke Ltd
Andrew Cooke went straight into the family business after completing his A-Levels, making him the fifth generation to enter the Cooke family business. As managing director, he focuses on refining workflows, identifying growth opportunities, and empowering the team to thrive. He is also the owner of Dolly, an eight-year-old rescued Lurcher.
1
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF DONALD COOKE LTD?
Donald Cooke Ltd is, at its core, a true family business with a remarkable heritage. Founded in 1900 by an orphan who was sent to live with relatives on a farm in Sheffield, just a mile from where our head office stands today, the business has evolved for over 126 years. Throughout every chapter, one thing has never changed: our commitment to animals. Whether producing pig feed, pigeon corn, the iconic EMP egg food, or supporting our thriving local retail stores, animals are, and have always been, at the heart of what we do.
2
WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE BUSINESS?
We operate across five sites — four retail stores and our main Sheffield HQ, which also houses our production, wholesale and distribution operations. All our retail branches are based in South Yorkshire. Our newest addition is our dog-only store in Doncaster, opened in 2023. This is a concept that has exceeded expectations and continues to grow rapidly.
3
WHICH PRODUCT CATEGORIES DO YOU SPECIALISE IN?
Within the pet industry, our strongest category is dog treats. Our leading brand, K9 Chew Co, offers one of the most extensive ranges on the market. We also distribute several standout brands, including Garden Bites, Buddycare, Chewllagen, and Adios. Each one adds something unique, allowing us to offer retailers a diverse, quality-driven portfolio.
4
WHICH OF YOUR KEY PRODUCTS AND CATEGORIES ARE SHOWING THE MOST EXCITING GROWTH?
Like many retailers will say, the last few years have brought challenges, but there have also been standout success stories. Natural treats continue to deliver our most exciting growth, particularly our pick-and-mix offering. Our loose treat section has become so popular that we’re constantly expanding the display footprint and broadening the assortment. We now offer over 124 varieties.
“Our future is dependent on, and tied to the success of independents, and we take that responsibility seriously”
5
HAVE YOU ADDED NEW PRODUCTS THIS YEAR?
Absolutely — this year has been a big one for innovation. The full Garden Bites range has been a major launch for us and represents something truly fresh and high-quality in the market. We’ve also significantly expanded K9 Chew Co, with one standout addition being our Mini Bones for the pick and mix stands, fast becoming a customer favourite.
6
WHAT ARE THE KEY VALUES THAT DEFINE DONALD COOKE AS A COMPANY?
Everything comes back to being a family business. That means long-term thinking, strong relationships, and doing right by customers and suppliers. As retailers ourselves, we know exactly what stores need from the brands they invest in — reliability, trust, sustainability, and consistency. Those principles guide every decision we make.
7
HOW IMPORTANT ARE INDEPENDENT RETAILERS TO THE DONALD COOKE BUSINESS?
Independent retailers are the backbone of our business: without them, we wouldn’t exist. But support goes beyond words. Our actions reinforce our commitment. Firstly, we are an independent business ourselves; secondly, we actively collaborate with independents nationwide to develop brands with long-term mutual benefit; and thirdly, we refuse to devalue our products for short-term gains, ensuring healthy margins for our partners. Our future is dependent on, and tied to the success of independents, and we take that responsibility seriously.
8
WHAT SUPPORT OR ADDED VALUE DO YOU OFFER TO INDEPENDENTS?
Our offer is simple, sustainable, and long term. We focus on profitable, reliable products and always welcome conversations with store owners. We frequently open our doors to share POS concepts, best practices, and insights from our own retail experience. Learning and growing together is part of our DNA.
9
HOW HAVE YOU ENHANCED YOUR OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY RECENTLY?
The past year has seen some of our most exciting operational upgrades to date. We’ve implemented automated order processing for major customers, introduced a robotic arm to our packaging line, installed a robotic pallet wrapper, and built a new warehouse flow integrated with advanced tracking systems. But perhaps the most transformative step of all has been integrating our order portal into our control systems. This gives customers complete visibility and a level of transparency we’re incredibly proud of.
10
WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS FOR 2026 AND BEYOND?
We’re currently planning the construction of a new warehouse, a major step forward that will support our growing range and customer base. To make it a success, we’re focused on sustained growth through innovation, strong partnerships, and continuing to offer category-leading products.
