Vital Pet Group has changed hands, with Vital Retail Group completing its sale to SPL Group. The transaction moves the UK pet‑trade distributor into a new ownership structure, while Vital Retail Group continues to focus on its branded businesses.
New leadership outlines strategy
SPL Group will run Vital Pet Group independently, guided by Tom Wang and joint managing director Richard Long. The duo said they will steer future strategy, investment and operations.
“Vital Pet Group has an excellent position within the UK pet trade, with strong customer and supplier relationships and a well‑established team,” Wang and Long said. “We are excited to take Vital Pet Group into its next chapter and build on its strong foundations.”
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They added, “People, customers and suppliers are at the heart of Vital Pet Group, and we are committed to building strong long‑term relationships across the sector.” The statement thanked Vital Retail Group for the way they have managed the transition and for the trust they have placed in us.
Vital Retail Group refocuses on core brands
Following the divestiture, Vital Retail Group will continue to focus on its branded businesses, which include Black Sheep Brewery, Saltaire Brewery, Purity Brewing Co., and the wider Great British Drinks Company portfolio. The group also retains its pet‑sector consumer and branded operations, along with confectionery lines Montezuma’s Chocolate and Bristow’s of Devon.
Executive director Ravi Sharma acknowledged the role Vital Pet Group played in the conglomerate. “Vital Pet Group has been an important part of the Group, and we would like to thank the VPG team for their contribution during that time.”
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He noted that finding a suitable buyer was a priority. “We believe Tom, Richard and SPL Group are the right people to take Vital forward. They have approached the opportunity with real enthusiasm for the business, respect for what the team has built and a clear belief in its future potential.”
The sale, according to Sharma, “represents the right next step for both businesses. It gives VPG the independence to develop under committed new ownership, while enabling Vital Retail Group to focus its investment, resources and attention on the branded businesses at the heart of our long‑term strategy.”
Both parties expressed optimism about the future. SPL Group’s leaders emphasized their ambition to support continued growth, while Vital’s executives highlighted the strategic clarity the sale provides. The next months will reveal how the new structure influences market trends.
