Shane Young (L) and brother David Young,founded PETstock more than 30 years ago in Ballarat.
“I’ve certainly come to understand that as you get out to country Australia,there are many,many other pets that people have a high affiliation[with] and very different needs for those pets,” he said.
“[For example] I have become pleasantly surprised by just how passionate the horse community is.”
Banducci noted that PETstock,which was founded by brothers Shane and David Young in the Victorian town of Ballarat just over 30 years ago,connects Woolworths to these additional communities of pet lovers.
Australians spend tens of billions of dollars on their pets each year – close to 70 per cent of Australian households now have a pet,with Animal Medicines Australia forecasting that households spend about $3200 on their dogs and $2100 on their cats each year.
Banducci believes there’s still room for growth across the pet-care sector,which now goes well beyond food and toys to virtual vet care,doggy daycare,training and grooming services.
“There is an amazing array of services that can be provided... there is certainly more than meets the eye,” he said.