Pet retail websites back on-line after fears for their future
Pet product retail website MedicAnimal, Pet Supermarket and Petmeds have gone back on-line following speculation about their future. It had been reported last week that Kokoba had filed a notice of intention to appoint and administrator.
Customers had bombarded on-line forums like Moneysupermarket.com with complaints about the non-arrival of products, and concerns grew when the website were suspended and telephone calls went unanswered.
Disgruntled customers have since had the following statement from the retailers:
"Please accept our sincere apologies that we have not been able to communicate with you sooner. Our Company has undergone a change in ownership, during which time we were unfortunately asked to cease trading temporarily and were legally bound not to communicate with anyone. It has been hugely frustrating for us to not be allowed to communicate with our customers during this time and it has also been disappointing to see some opportunistic competitors exploit the situation for their own benefit and some media speculate on the events.
"We sincerely apologise that during this time there has been a delay with processing your order, especially because we know the products we sell are so necessary and important to your pets. We were unable to take delivery of product while undergoing this process which in turn made it impossible to fulfil your order in a timely manner.
"We apologise that during this time there has been a delay with processing your order. We would like to advise you that your order will be shipped or part-shipped by Monday, with any outstanding items being cancelled and refunded within the next seven days.
"As an apology for the inconvenience we have caused you we are also offering you a 20% discount on your next order.
"Our website will be back online shortly but we first wanted to address you directly as soon as we were able to finally communicate on the situation."
Pet Trade Xtra tried to contact Kokoba but no comment from the company has been forthcoming. It's understood that law firm Taylor Wessing has been representing the business although they also failed to return our calls.
MedicAnimal was founded in 2007 by former-Goldman Sachs broker Retzignac and vet Andrew Bucher and has expanded by acquiring competitors including Pet Supermarket and Petmeds.
