Business Overview
Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:WOOF) is a leading pet health and wellness retailer with a focus on improving the lives of pets, pet parents, and its own partners. The company has a rich history dating back to its origins as a small-scale pet shop in San Diego in 1965. Over the decades, Petco has evolved into a comprehensive omnichannel ecosystem, operating more than 1,500 pet care centers across the U.S., Mexico, and Puerto Rico, including a network of in-store veterinary hospitals.
Petco's journey from a small, family-owned business to one of the largest pet specialty retailers in the United States has been marked by significant milestones and strategic decisions. In 1988, the company launched its first full-service pet care center, expanding its offerings beyond pet supplies to include grooming, training, and veterinary services. This diversification of services has remained a key part of Petco's strategy, allowing it to provide comprehensive health and wellness solutions for pets and their parents.
In 2016, Petco underwent a significant change when it was acquired by a private equity consortium and taken private. During this period, the company focused on integrating its digital and physical assets to enhance its omnichannel experience. This included substantial investments in its e-commerce platform, mobile app, and in-store technologies, aimed at providing customers with a more seamless shopping experience across all channels.
Despite its growth and strategic initiatives, Petco has faced challenges in recent years. In 2023, the company recorded a significant goodwill impairment charge, primarily due to a decline in its share price and macroeconomic pressures. This setback prompted Petco to reevaluate its strategy and implement measures to improve its operational and financial performance.
Financial Overview
Petco's latest reported financials, as disclosed in the company's Q3 2024 10-Q filing, showcase a business in the midst of a strategic transformation. For the thirteen weeks ended November 2, 2024, the company reported net revenue of $1.51 billion, up 1.2% year-over-year. Comparable sales increased 1.8% during the same period. Gross profit expanded 4.7% to $575.8 million, with gross margin improving 130 basis points to 38.1%.
On the bottom line, Petco reported a GAAP net loss of $16.7 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to a GAAP net loss of $1.2 billion, or $4.63 per share, in the prior-year quarter. This significant year-over-year improvement was largely attributable to the absence of a $1.2 billion non-cash goodwill impairment charge recorded in Q3 2023. Adjusted net loss, which excludes certain one-time items, was $6.5 million, or $0.02 per share, an improvement from an adjusted net loss of $14.5 million, or $0.05 per share, in the prior-year period.
Petco's business is organized into two main product segments: Products and Services. The Products segment includes consumables, such as pet food, treats, and supplies, as well as companion animals. In the thirteen weeks ended November 2, 2024, consumables sales were $753.23 million, an increase of 2.7% compared to the prior year period. This segment represented 83.6% of total net sales in the quarter. The increase in consumables sales was driven by the impact of prior year inflation and pricing actions taken in the third quarter of fiscal 2023.
The supplies and companion animals category within the Products segment saw sales of $509.96 million in the thirteen weeks ended November 2, 2024, a decrease of 2.8% compared to the prior year period. This decline was primarily due to a decrease in spending on certain non-essential items, reflecting softer discretionary demand associated with the current macroeconomic environment.
The Services and other segment includes in-store veterinary hospitals, grooming, and other services. In the thirteen weeks ended November 2, 2024, Services and other sales were $248.24 million, an increase of 5.0% compared to the prior year period. This growth was driven by a 8.6% increase in service-related sales, reflecting the maturity of Petco's veterinary hospital footprint and continued expansion of its veterinary and grooming businesses.
For the most recent quarter, Petco reported operating cash flow of $20.72 million, down from $46 million in the prior year quarter. Free cash flow improved to -$10.29 million from -$41 million in the prior year quarter. The decreases in operating cash flow and free cash flow were primarily due to timing differences in working capital.
In terms of liquidity, Petco reported a cash balance of $116.67 million as of November 2, 2024. The company had $527.6 million available under its $581 million revolving credit facility. Petco's debt-to-equity ratio stood at 1.26, calculated as total debt of $2.684 billion divided by total equity of $2.135 billion. The company's current ratio was 0.84, and its quick ratio was 0.22.
Operational Transformation
Under the leadership of CEO Joel Anderson, who joined the company in mid-2024, Petco has embarked on a comprehensive operational transformation focused on three key pillars: merchandising, customer service, and driving efficiency across the business.
In merchandising, the company has undertaken a detailed review of its product assortment, identifying opportunities to optimize shelf space and simplify the customer decision-making process. Petco has also strengthened its vendor partnerships, with Anderson personally meeting with key suppliers to enhance transparency and build collaborative business plans for 2025 and beyond.
To improve customer service, Petco is implementing new labor models and automation initiatives in its pet care centers to allow associates to spend more time engaging with customers. The company is also leveraging data to better understand and serve its veterinary customers, driving increased wallet share.
Furthermore, Petco is aggressively tackling costs across the organization, renegotiating vendor contracts, optimizing distribution center operations, and professionalizing its procurement function. These initiatives are designed to not only deliver near-term savings but also establish a more efficient, transparent, and accountable cost structure for the long term.
Leadership Additions
To support its transformation efforts, Petco has recently strengthened its executive team with the additions of Joe Venezia as Chief Revenue Officer and Dan Calista as Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer. Venezia, a proven sales and retail executive, will oversee critical growth drivers, including the pet care centers, services, real estate, and customer success capabilities. Calista, in his role as Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, will be responsible for building the internal capabilities needed to execute on Petco's strategic priorities and maintain accountability throughout the ongoing transformation.
Outlook and Risks
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, Petco expects revenue of approximately $1.55 billion, adjusted EBITDA between $90 million and $95 million, and adjusted EPS between $0.00 and $0.02. The company also provided full-year guidance, including net interest expense of approximately $140 million, 273 million weighted average fully diluted shares, and $130 million in capital expenditures. Petco remains firmly on track to deliver positive free cash flow for fiscal 2024.
Risks facing Petco include increased competition from multi-channel retailers, mass and grocery retailers, and e-commerce providers, as well as potential macroeconomic pressures such as inflation, interest rate hikes, and global supply chain challenges. The company's reliance on key vendors and its ability to attract and retain qualified employees also pose potential risks.
Conclusion
Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. is in the midst of a comprehensive transformation under new leadership, focused on improving its merchandising, customer service, and operational efficiency. While the company faces various industry and macroeconomic headwinds, its strategic initiatives and recent executive hires suggest a renewed commitment to driving long-term, sustainable growth and profitability. As Petco continues to execute on its transformation plan, investors will closely monitor the company's progress in returning to a path of profitable growth.