Paramount Retail divests Vital Pet Group as SPL’s Tom Wang accelerates UK pet market expansion

Paramount Retail has sold Sheffield-based Vital Pet Group to SPL’s Tom Wang and Richard Long, signalling ongoing consolidation in the UK pet supply sector amidst retailer pressures and a drive for scale.

Paramount Retail has sold Vital Pet Group, handing control of the Sheffield-based wholesaler to Tom Wang, owner of SPL, and his co-managing director Richard Long.

The deal marks another ownership shift for a business that has long been a notable supplier to the pet trade. Vital Pet Group, founded in 2004, sells products for dogs, cats and small animals and, according to company filings, generated turnover of £34.87m and employed 86 staff as of June 2024.

Vital was acquired in 2017 by The Subura Group in a £12.8m transaction from the Steuart family, when the business had about 280 employees and served more than 2,800 customers across Europe. At the time, the new owners said they wanted to improve supply-chain efficiency and strengthen service to retailers and suppliers.

The latest sale suggests continued consolidation in the pet sector, where distributors and brand owners have been seeking scale, tighter logistics and broader product access. Vital has also built a reputation for carrying established imported lines and supporting independents alongside larger accounts.

For Wang and Long, the acquisition gives SPL a firmer position in the UK pet supply market at a time when retailers are under pressure on margins, service levels and stock availability.