Pet Supplies Plus plans to acquire at least one previously operated New Jersey Pet Valu location as part of a deal for the retailer to buy 40 locations nationwide.
Pet Valu locations throughout Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia will reopen as Pet Supplies Plus beginning in January.
Until details are finalized, however, a spokesperson said the company is unable to comment on specifics.
Pet Valu announced in November it was shutting down all U.S. operations, including its 358 stores, more than 40 of which were in New Jersey.
Jobs “will be saved that might otherwise be lost” due to the transition, the company announced. Pet Supplies Plus has over 500 locations nationwide.
The former Pet Valu stores will be a mix of corporate and franchisee-owned Pet Supplies Plus locations, presenting “a turnkey business opportunity for potential franchisees to step in and operate the stores with a significantly shortened store opening timeline, take advantage of established real estate and benefit from minimal build out expenses vs. building a brand new brick and mortar location,” according to an announcement.
Nick Russo, senior vice president of franchising and store operations for Pet Supplies Plus, noted that spending on pets and the demand for franchising opportunities have both seen increases during the pandemic.
