SM Retail, a subsidiary of SM Investments Corp., is continuing the expansion of Pet Express on growing demand for pet companionship during this pandemic.
In a statement Friday, Sept. 24, SM Retail said it is opening three stores this year. “In the wake of hard lockdowns, the need for pet companionship has seen a healthy surge. Pet retail stores are now deemed as an essential business, providing the needed cat and dog food that take up the lion’s share of demand,” the company said.
Other essential items being sold are toiletries, medicine and supplements.
Pet Express will open stores in Grand Central in Monumento, Caloocan; SM Southmall in Las Pinas and in SM Clark in Pampanga within the fourth quarter in service of the growing pet community.
The opening of new stores will increase Pet Express stores to 20 by the end of 2021 from the current count of 17 stores.
As pet owners stocked up on pet essentials to prepare for extended lockdowns, Pet Express also saw increased volumes and online sales, growing 98 percent last year.
“We continue to position Pet Express to be the supermarket store of choice of pet parents for their cat and dog needs,” Pet Express Senior Assistant Vice President for Merchandising Jason Go said.
He added that, “We also strive to be the go-to store for all our customers health and wellness needs for their pets.” As mobility is constrained by hard lockdowns, Pet Express is also moving to launch an Online Vet Consultation & Grooming Home service for pet grooming and medical needs.
Pet Express introduced a Click/ Call and Collect service in its stores in the following malls-- SM City North EDSA, SM Megamall and SM City Dasmarinas-- to provide shopping convenience for customers who were staying at home.
Further extending its products and services on digital platforms, it has enhanced its presence among online communities and messaging apps and boosted its own online store, petexpress.com.ph as well as online flagship stores in e-commerce sites.
For the brick and mortar business, Pet Express is also expanding its existing stores in SM North EDSA, SM Makati, Mall of Asia in Pasay City, SM Fairview in Quezon City and SM Molino in Cavite.
“We will continue to evolve as a store, as customers can watch out for more exciting new store concepts and openings to come. We will continue to adapt to and serve the ever-changing needs of our customers,” Go said.