China’s pet retail brand Pet&Fresh will shut all of its offline stores by mid-December due to mounting operational pressures, while continuing to maintain its online business, founder Hou Yi said.
The closure represents a sharp reversal from the company’s original expansion plan. Pet&Fresh opened its first store in February and aimed to establish 100 outlets in Shanghai this year. The move comes despite strong investor interest, including a $25 million angel round in May, which set a recent industry record. Hou Yi is also the founder of Freshippo, Alibaba Group Holding’s grocery arm.
According to the Dianping platform, Pet&Fresh operates over 10 stores in Shanghai, but seven are now listed as either “temporarily closed” or “permanently closed.” Store employees cited weak foot traffic and slow sales, noting that many pet owners prefer to purchase supplies online.
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