Pet Club Poised for More Growth

PHOENIX—Pet Club has experienced incredible growth since its founding in 1982. It began as a feed and tack store in Apache Junction and by 2010 had 12 locations—and there have been more than 45 transactions since, reaching outside of Arizona to Texas and Colorado.

Pet Club is now one of the top ten pet food stores nationwide—and they've done it all in Petsmart's backyard in an $80 billion industry

Part of their success lies in their philosophy of providing top quality pet food at competitive prices. But the other key to Pet Club's success has been their aggressive real estate strategy.

Greg Saltz with GPS Retail Advisors and master broker for Pet Club nationally tells GlobeSt.com that Pet Club moves quickly on real estate and is ramping up for future growth.

“They have close to 60 locations now with plans for at least double that in the next five years,” says Saltz.”They established five in Houston last year alone.”

Pet Club has two concept stores: a feed and tack store concept ranging from 8,000 to 20,000 square feet and a retail concept ranging from 4,000 to 7,000 square feet.

“Pet Club is very aware of location and likes to be highly visible. They backfilled three Fresh and Easy locations in the Valley—one in Queen Creek, one in south Chandler and one in Cave Creek. They like to corner the marketplace; they don't compromise. They went after defunct Blockbuster locations at a time when most retailers weren't expanding,” says Saltz.

Pet Club is currently teaming up with SimonCRE for two new Arizona stores—one in Chino Valley and one in Sahuarita, south of Tucson. SimonCRE is a preferred Pet Club developer.