Pet superstore group Pets at Home is to investÂŁ55 million rolling out a new 'local' store format to 200 locations.
The out-of-town retailer, which sells small animals and pet paraphernalia, has edited its footprint to fit into neighbourhood locations and has opened at Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, Selby North Yorkshire and Knutsford, Cheshire.
Head of property Ian Ellison said: 'We are looking to open 30 to 50 local stores a year over the next five years. Target premises would ideally be between 2,500 sq ft (230 sq m) and 4,500 sq ft (420 sq m).'
The retailer, with 151 stores nationally, delivered a bumper performance in the year to March. Pre-tax profits more than quadrupled fromÂŁ930,000 toÂŁ4.5 million on sales ofÂŁ203 million.
'This will not detract from our superstore expansion plans which will continue, but we have identified a need for a more local store concept,' added Ellison.
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