The UK’s largest pet retail group, Pets at Home, has seen a 5.8% increase in total group revenue, a reflection of its sustained momentum across its retail and veterinary operations.

With this strong continued momentum into quarter 4, Pets at Home now anticipates group underlying pre-tax profit of at least £140m.

In releasing the company’s quarter 3 trading update yesterday (Wednesday), group CEO Peter Pritchard said: “Our unique, omnichannel pet care strategy continues to deliver strong revenue growth, reflecting continued momentum in customer acquisition, engagement and spend as the benefits of our ongoing investment in capacity and capability really start to deliver.

“We are firmly on track to report a record year of sales and profit growth, and I am incredibly grateful to all of our fantastic colleagues and Partners across the Group for their hard work and commitment to helping us become the best pet care business in the world.

“I remain confident that the combination of our strategic investments, strength and depth of our exceptional leadership team and successful initiatives to increase operational efficiencies across the Group will underpin sustainable, long-term and profitable growth.”

Pets at Home saw a record-breaking Christmas with record sales of seasonal ranges (including My First Christmas) and the biggest ever festive period for dog grooming (90,000 dogs groomed over the festive period, including 5,500 on Christmas Eve).

Peter Pritchard is stepping down from his role as CEO in the summer, and the search for his successor is well advanced, said the company. A further announcement will be made in due course.

Jane Balmain, CEO of the Vet Group, has signalled her intention to retire from the business by Spring 2023, having re-joined Pets at Home out of retirement over three years ago to lead the successful turnaround of our veterinary operations. A search for her successor will commence shortly.