Pets at Home has raised its full-year profit guidance after hailing further “momentum” during the golden quarter.

The retailer said group like-for-like sales grew in the “high teens” during December, with gains made across all of its channels, including stores and online. 

Pets at Home now expects to register an underlying pre-tax profit of at least £77m for its fiscal year, which concludes at the end of March.

The profit upgrade comes just 24 hours after supermarket giant Sainsbury’s increased its profit guidance following a strong Christmas trading period.  

Like Sainsbury’s, Pets at Home gave the bullish profit outlook despite repaying its business rates relief. 

The specialist pet chain decided to hand back the £28.9m in rates relief having remained open and trading as an essential retailer during the national lockdowns.

Pets at Home said the social distancing and safety measures it has taken in its stores mean it remains “in a strong position” going into 2021.