More development planned for Petland China in 2009
Petland, Inc. is pleased to announce that Petland China recently opened two additional Petland locations in Shanghai. The second location, on Xingmei Road in Shanghai, opened December 24, 2008 and the third location, on Changning Road in Shanghai, opened February 10. Petland China master franchisor Charlie Lu, and his business associate Tina Yang, serve as operators of the pet stores. The first location in China opened April 5, 2008.
"We are pleased with the success Petland China has seen in it's first 10 months and excited to see their expansion. Petland China has made an incredible impact on overall pet retail and is quickly becoming a market leader," said Petland President Frank Difatta.
Despite various cultural differences between American and Chinese consumers, the basics of customer service, animal care and presentation have universal appeal. All three of the Shanghai locations also include a grooming service and the second location also houses a boarding facility.
Lu and Yang are thrilled to bring the Petland experience to China and to uphold the company's mission of matching the right pet with the right person and meeting the needs of both.
"In China, more and more people love and keep pets, especially in Shanghai, Beijing and other big cities. Pet owners want to buy things for pets in well-stocked and clear stores," said Yang. "Our customers give high comments on the shop's design and display, the diversity of the merchandising and the animal knowledge."
Lu and associates first became aware of Petland in 2004 when representatives of Petland, Inc. attended Interzoo, the leading international bi-annual pet industry trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany. A relationship began, one that was rekindled in May during Interzoo 2006. A visit by a Chinese delegation was made to Petland's headquarters in Chillicothe, Ohio, in July 2006 to learn more about the Petland franchise.
Petland China plans on opening several more Petland retail locations in 2009, including two or three Petland Express stores.
Petland, Inc. is a franchise operation with more than 200 quality, full service, retail pet centers across the United States, Canada, Japan, China, and South Africa. Petland is ranked among Entrepreneur magazine's "Franchise 500." For more information on Petland, please visit the company's Web site at www.petland.com.
Documents and/or Photos available for this release:
A storefront of the new Petland China store.
To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 192284
Contacts:
Petland, Inc.
Elizabeth Kunzelman, 740-775-2464
Communications
Director
elizabeth.kunzelman@petland.com
