A number of pet product suppliers are counting the cost of the decision to appoint administrators for the failing Countrywide Farmers business, which runs a number of country stores in the UK.

The sale of pet products and pet food was a major sector of the company’s business, and its latest problems are seen as a major headache for the industry with some suppliers being owed money.

Countrywide Farmers went into administration just over a week ago on March 7, and the administrators from KPMG have said it’s their intention to seek a buyer for the business.

They have appointed Hilco Capital to assist in running the Countrywide Farmers stores while they explore and develop available options.

The company, based in Evesham, Worcestershire, announced plans to sell the business in April last year, but a potential sale to Mole Valley Farmers Ltd fell through in October.

On March 1, the company announced it had sold its liquefied petroleum gas division to DCC Flogas, however its retail business sale to Mole Valley could not be approved and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced an investigation.

Countrywide announced it was going into administration as the CMA investigation could last up to six months, and the company said it would be "unable to meet its financial obligations for this extended period of time".

Countrywide Farmers employs more than 700 people and has 48 stores. The administrators have said no "initial redundancies" had been made.