Saturday, 10 May 2025
REWE is set to expand its ZooRoyal pet supply stores across Germany, moving beyond its established e-commerce, food retail, and DIY store presence. Following the successful operation of four pilot stores in the Hamburg area, the company has decided to roll out the concept nationwide starting in 2026. The expansion will be carried out in urban areas, with the stores operated by independent REWE retailers.
The decision comes after the pilot stores in Norderstedt, Hamburg-Niendorf, Hamburg-Stellingen, and Elmshorn exceeded expectations. Over the past two years, REWE has tested various product assortments, store layouts, services, and marketing strategies to refine the concept. Customer response has been positive, with footfall increasing steadily and surveys indicating high satisfaction with the range and store design.
The pet supply market in Germany continues to grow, with 45% of households owning at least one pet. Industry forecasts project that total revenue in the sector will reach €8 billion by 2030, making it a strategic growth area for REWE. The company aims to establish a high double-digit number of ZooRoyal stores in the coming years to strengthen its omnichannel retail strategy.
ZooRoyal, which has over 25 years of experience in the pet supply industry, operates under the cooperative principle, meaning that stores are managed by independent REWE retailers with extensive retail expertise. The company’s strong online presence has been complemented by the success of its physical stores, demonstrating that customers continue to seek out specialist pet retailers for their needs.
REWE Group Management Board member Peter Maly emphasized that the expansion aligns with the company’s strategy to provide pet supplies across multiple retail formats, including online, food retail, DIY stores, and specialist pet stores. ZooRoyal Managing Director Marcel Bersch added that the positive results from the pilot stores confirm the strong demand for physical pet supply stores, and that the company is eager to bring ZooRoyal locations closer to customers across Germany.
The search for suitable store locations is already underway in all REWE regions, as the company prepares for the national rollout. The expansion reflects the growing demand for pet products and REWE’s commitment to broadening its retail offering within this sector.
