Pets at Home to stockpile supplies as hedge for no deal

In a trading update for the third quarter, the retailer said that, as Britain’s EU divorce looms, it is looking at increasing its inventory holding.

“As we approach our financial year end and monitor the Brexit process, we may consider increasing our inventory holding by up to £8 million,” the company said.

The news comes as Prime Minister Theresa May’s attempt to ram through her Brexit “Plan B” meets fierce resistance in the Commons, meaning that Britain crashing out without a deal is becoming more likely.

Late last year, chief executive Peter Pritchard said Pets had started importing more goods as part of no-deal Brexit contingency plans.

The group warned that 17% of its goods come from outside the UK, and said its stock supply could be disrupted in the event of delays at ports and borders under a no-deal Brexit scenario.