Business growth in Pets at Home‘s third quarter have edged upwards.
The UK pet shop chain said like-for-like sales over the three months to December 31 2015 increased 2.2%.
Strong demand for vet and grooming services helped boost overall like-for-like sales of services up 8.5%. Sales of products such as food and other pet nutrition grew 1.7% in the period.
The company has also announced the acquisition of Anderson Moores, a specialist veterinary referral hospital based in Winchester.
Currently Pets at Home operates a number of grooming salons stores.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the retailer said itwas on track to open 20-25 stores, 50-55 vet practices and 55-60 grooming salons in 2016.
“We are pleased with the improved trading momentum in our Merchandise business, alongside continued strength in our vet and grooming services,” said Chief Exec Nick Wood.
“We are also delighted with our acquisition of one of the UK‘s leading specialist hospitals, Anderson Moores, which further develops our presence in this important strategic segment of the veterinary market.”
