Online pet store triples workforce

PetShop.co.uk revealed it has tripled its workforce in light of a rising demand for online pet products amid the ongoing pandemic. The online retailer, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, said that the nationwide lockdown has led to a 300% increase in sales from owners who need pet food delivered to their homes. The retailer currently stocks over 10,000 products from its 40,000 sq ft premises. It now employs nearly 70 staff in its warehouses and ten in its office following the boom in demand. Co-founder Adam Taylor said: “It has been an unprecedented journey and we needed to react quickly to get Pet Parents orders out as quickly as possible, we’re receiving orders from all over the UK since we’re a nationwide pet food business. “We’ve had to very quickly adjust our shifts because previously we had one 12-hour shift and now our warehouse is open 24-7. We have taken on three times more people and now employ just under 70 staff in the warehouse as well as our regular ten staff in the office.” He added: “We made the decision to keep our telephone lines open to help mainly elderly people who don’t have access to the internet but the majority of these staff are working from home.” The retailer has also invested £164,000 as part of a £400,000 grant from the RPDE Growth Programme. Taylor said: “Pre-coronavirus, with the help of the RDPE Grant, we had started to make improvements to the capacity of our business by implementing Oracle Netsuite software and the RF-Smart warehouse solution so we have an entirely cloud system now that our staff can access anywhere so we’re robust and agile for people not working in the office.” “The company has also received £35,000 from Warwickshire County Council’s Growth Fund in order to “future-proof” the business and invest in software systems.” Mark Ryder, strategic director for communities at Warwickshire County Council, said: “PetShop.co.uk is a perfect example of a business that is reaping the benefits of not standing still. “It continues to go from success to success and its proactive approach means they have developed a network of contacts to provide expert advice.” He added: “We launched the Warwickshire County Council Growth Fund to provide capital grants to small businesses in our area with growth plans to help to reduce any barriers which may prevent their expansion. “Their recent success is helping to stimulate our economy by providing jobs for local people and improving productivity and their move to Masons Road three years ago is certainly paying dividends since they have the space to store a large amount of stock which is being snapped up by customers across the UK.”