KREFELD (dpa-AFX) - Germany's largest pet supplies chain Fressnapf wants to grow in the future, especially abroad. Across Europe, the company plans to open around 120 new stores this year, Fressnapf founder and owner Torsten Toeller told Deutsche Presse-Agentur. Only about 20 of the new openings are likely to be in the German home market, he said.

"Most of the growth and the stronger growth will be in the other European countries," Toeller said. In Germany, Fressnapf operated 947 stores at the end of last year. Overall, the entrepreneur believes there is still room for about 150 new Fressnapf stores in Germany. "Around 1100 stores could be there in the end," the entrepreneur opined. However, the market leader in Germany sees the greatest potential in the modernization of existing stores. In any case, he said, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find suitable locations for new stores. "It's like looking for a needle in a haystack."

According to Toeller, Fressnapf also wants to further expand its market position in Germany and Europe in online retailing. "We know we have to catch up there," he said./rea/DP/zb