Absolute Pets
 | |
 Absolute Pets store in The Paddocks shopping center, in Milnerton, Cape Town | |
| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail Pet supplies[1] |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Cape Town, South Africa |
Number of locations | 196 (2026)[2] |
Area served | South Africa |
| Key people | Stephen Warner (CEO)[3] |
| Products | Pet food Pet toys |
| Services | Pet grooming |
| Owner | Woolworths |
| Website | absolutepets |
Absolute Pets is a South African retail chain that sells pet food, treats, toys, and other related items, as well as providing grooming services at certain locations. Founded in 2005, the company is headquartered in Cape Town and is a subsidiary of major South African retail corporation Woolworths.[4]
As of 2025, Absolute Pets operates 196 locations across the country[2] and continues to expand. The company is South Africa's largest pet store chain by number of stores.[1] Most stores are located in the country's three largest metros: Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg.
History
[edit]Absolute Pets was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Cape Town. It became South Africa's largest retailer of pet-related supplies.[5]
In late 2023, major South African retail company Woolworths announced its intention to purchase a 93.45% stake in Absolute Pets from Sanlam Private Equity and the company's managemnet. Woolworths bought 150 stores for R609 million in cash. The existing Absolute Pets management team remained in their roles.[1][3][6]
The acquisition became effective on 1 April 2024, following approval from the South African Competition Tribunal. In addition to WPet, Woolworths' existing pet care business, Absolute Pets became part of Woolworths Ventures, a newly created internal unit.[7][8]
At the time, Woolworths said that Absolute Pets was strategically aligned with its existing business. The retailer also said that pet care was an attractive, rapidly developing market with substantial growth potential. Woolworths estimated the South African pet care sector to be worth over R7 billion,[9] comprising approximately 21.7 million pets.[10]
Operations
[edit]Absolute Pets operates 196 pet stores across South Africa,[2] which equates to around 12% of the total number of stores in the Woolworths group. The stores collectively cover over 15,000 square meters of retail space.[11] Aside from pet-related products, certain locations also offer dog and cat grooming services.
Absolute Pets stores target mid-to-high income earners, aligning with the customer base of Woolworths' other store brands.[12][13]
Through its Absolute Pets app, the company offers "Go Fetch!", a delivery service that fulfills orders in under 60 minutes for customers located within 5 km of one of its stores.[14]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Moneyweb (30 September 2025). "In battle for pets, Shoprite is catching Woolies fast". Moneyweb. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Annual Financial Statements for the 52 weeks ended 28 June 2026" (PDF). Woolworths Holdings Limited. 2026. Retrieved 3 September 2026.
- 1 2 "Sanlam Private Equity Successfully Exits Absolute Pets Investment". FAnews. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ↑ "Absolute Pets - Homepage". Absolute Pets. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ↑ "Woolies Gets Tails Wagging With Acquisition Of Absolute Pets". Woolworths. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ↑ "Sanlam PE to exit Absolute Pets to Woolworths". Africa Private Equity News. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ↑ "The Cat's Out The Bag: Woolies Acquisition Of Absolute Pets Is Approved By Competition Tribunal". Woolworths. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ↑ Staff Writer (3 April 2024). "Woolworths' bid for Absolute Pets gets the green light in South Africa". BusinessTech. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ↑ Ashley Lechman (1 November 2023). "Woolworths ventures into the pet sector in SA worth billions as it announces intention to acquire Absolute Pets". IOL. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ↑ Robin (12 April 2024). "Woolworths launches Woolworths Ventures. A unit that will give it flexibility in expansion". Cape Business News. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ↑ "Woolworths - Annual Financial Statements 2024" (PDF). Woolworths. 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ↑ Jacqueline Mackenzie (3 April 2024). "Woolworths completes acquisition of Absolute Pets". Business Day. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ↑ "S.Africa's Woolworths steps up battle for affluent shoppers with Absolute Pets deal". Reuters. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ↑ "Absolute Pets - Go Fetch; On Demand Delivery". Absolute Pets. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
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