// Pets at Home like-for-like revenue increased by 6% in the 16 weeks to July 21

// The number of active VIPs in its loyalty scheme jumped 10.7% year-on-year to 7.4m customers

Pets at Home’s sales rose as its loyalty scheme members grew and its subscription service proved popular with customers.

The pet specialist’s like-for-like revenue increased by 6%, with all channels remaining in growth, whilst retail sales grew by 5.6% in the 16 weeks to July 21.

Pets at Home said the number of active VIPs in its loyalty scheme increased by 10.7% year-on-year to a record 7.4 million customers during the period, and more than a quarter of those members shopped across more than one channel.

Sign ups to the retailer’s Puppy and Kitten Club averaged 25,000 every week during the quarter.

READ MORE: Pets at Home brings back ‘Saturday job’ following demand

On a two-year basis like-for-likes surged 37.9% whilst total sales rose 7.1% to £404.7 million.

The number of subscription plans grew 16% to more than 1.5 million, generating £135 million in yearly sales. This made up 8% of group sales.

Pets at Home boss Lyssa McGowan, who took over from Peter Pritchard in early June, said: “Our performance has remained strong in the first quarter, underpinned by continued customer growth and high levels of retention.”

“We operate a unique omnichannel model, in a market in structural growth, where the passion and expertise of our colleagues and partners is a key competitive advantage. I would like to thank them for their warm welcome, their continued efforts in helping our record number of customers care for their pets in these challenging times, and their ongoing commitment to building the best pet care business in the world.”

Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter