PetSmart, Inc., the world’s largest specialty retailer of pet supplies and the foremost authority for pet parents seeking services and solutions for the lifetime needs of their pets, today announced that based on a thorough business review that began last spring, the Board of Directors has determined that it will explore strategic alternatives for the Company to maximize value for shareholders, including a possible sale of the Company. The Board has been working with JP Morgan Securities LLC and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to assist in the process.
Said Gregory P. Josefowicz, Chairman, “PetSmart has delivered superb returns for our investors over a long period of time, with our shares outperforming the S&P 500 in seven of the last 10 fiscal years, and five out of the last six. Indeed, 5-year total shareholder return as of our fiscal year ended February 2, 2014 was 259.3% versus 140.6% for the S&P 500. For the same period, we delivered EPS CAGR of 21%, with 272 basis points of operating income margin expansion, and we returned nearly $2 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. We are extremely proud of what our PetSmart team has accomplished and, despite recent headwinds affecting PetSmart and many retailers, firmly believe the Company is very well positioned for superior future performance.”
He continued: “Notwithstanding our confidence in the Company’s future prospects, following a detailed Board review of the Company over the last several months, including many constructive conversations with a wide range of shareholders, we have decided to explore options to maximize shareholder value, including a potential sale of the Company.”
“Whatever the outcome of the process, we are as committed as ever to continuing to meet the needs of our customers and their pets, attracting and retaining world class talent, and driving sales and margins,” said Josefowicz. “We are not providing a timetable for our process, nor do we intend to comment further or update the market until it is complete.”
David K. Lenhardt, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “The entire management team is dedicated to continuing to deliver value for our customers and our shareholders. We are focused on pursuing our strategic plans, including this afternoon’s announcement that we have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Pet360 which will allow PetSmart to enhance its omni-channel capabilities and provide customers a unique and leading 360-degree shopping experience. This afternoon’s announcement about exploring alternatives will not distract the management team from continuing to pursue a broad range of performance improvement initiatives already underway.”
