Pets Corner's Dean Richmond (above right) with Kevin Massart from Cats & Dogs.

Pet Family, which operates 150 stores in the UK under its Pets Corner brand, has invested in Belgian retailer Cats & Dogs. It has secured a 30% share of the pet retail group.

The Antwerp-based retailer, launched in 2003 by Kevin Massart and his mother Brigitte Pettens, recently opened its seventh store. 

The investment by Pet Family will help Cats & Dogs to open at least 20 more stores in the next five years.

Also, by stocking Pet Family’s specialist products, Cats & Dogs will be able to differentiate itself from rival pet stores in Belgium.

Pet Family owner Dean Richmond admitted the company was looking to invest in other retail companies across Europe.

“There is no other retail chain like Pets Corner that focuses on quality and ethics, and I believe there is a consumer in every market wanting better products, sourced with integrity sold by properly trained staff,” said Dean.

“I’m convinced there are many high class emerging retailers in Europe, like Cats & Dogs, who would benefit from our investment, supportive brands and group scale to help them grow, and we’d love to work with them.”

Pet Family recently secured an eight-figure funding package from HSBC UK to support its growth nationally and internationally, and to create up to 320 jobs nationwide.

Pet Family is using the multi-million pound funding to open 10 new Pets Corner stores throughout England by the end of the year. These include Ascot, which is set to open on September 8, Chelmsford, East Grinstead, Newbury and Colchester.