Pet retailer Jollyes today has reported record sales in its latest half-year results.
The company achieved sales of £53.2m in the half year to November 27, a 23% increase against a year ago. It follows annual sales of £87m reported in the year to May 29, 2022, and puts Jollyes on track to reach £100m annual turnover in January 2023.
The increase in sales has been through a mix of higher sales at existing stores, new openings and acquisitions, and rising demand for home delivery and click and collect services. Footfall also hit a record high in the half year as Jollyes served over three million customers, while membership of Jollyes’ PetCLUB loyalty scheme rose by over 16%.
The company reported that, in addition to reaching £100m turnover, it is on track to hit the milestones of 1,000 employees and 100 stores in the coming months.
The company acquired Penparc, with five sites in the Midlands, in July 2022, as well as opening new stores at Southport, Poole, and Stockton-on-Tees, plus Glenrothes and Stirling in Scotland, Wrexham in North Wales and Cookstown in Northern Ireland during the year.
Two new stores, at Edinburgh and Llanelli, are due to open this week, taking the UK total to 84. Six more stores are scheduled to open by May 2023 and Jollyes expects to open its 100th store by early 2024.
The expansion has seen Jollyes workforce grow to 983 at the half-year, with colleague numbers set to pass 1,000 in 2023 through new stores, additional jobs in its head office in Waltham Abbey, Essex, and supporting its online service.
Jollyes chief executive officer Joe Wykes said: “A key pillar of our growth this year has been our commitment to be the UK’s best value pet superstore – and because we know that’s going to be vital to our customers in 2023, we’re committed to bringing Jollyes value to more places right across the UK.”
Richard Cotter, executive chairman of Jollyes, added: “While there are signs that the pandemic pet ownership peak has passed and sector growth is returning to normality, it’s very encouraging to see our sales continue to increase significantly ahead of the market through a mixture of organic growth and expansion through new stores and acquisitions.
“The half year performance show that our approach of being a national group with a local approach is what customers want. We’re in a strong position to achieve our ambitious growth plans and we have significant opportunities to bring our unique offer to more communities across the UK.”
During the year, the chain gave makeovers to stores at Lurgan, Newry and Enniskillen in Northern Ireland, Romford, Gosport, St Helens, Dartford and Bedford in England and Clydebank in Scotland as part of its modernisation of the estate. In addition, 43 Jollyes locations now include affordable community pet clinics providing services such as vaccinations and microchipping.
Sales of its exclusive Lifestage dog food rose by 70% during the period, while year-on-year growth in dog treats hit an all-time high, with sales of Natural Antlers doubling in value.
Stores also supported local dog and re-homing charities, donating over 100,000 meals over the last 12 months.
Jollyes confirmed that its stores would be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years’ Day to allow colleagues to spend time with their families.
