Pets at Home boss says ‘urgent and necessary’ action needed as profits dive

Guinea pigs. Pets at Home reported that underlying profit before tax had slumped 33.5% to £36.2m in the 28 weeks to 9 October. Photograph: Wayne Shipley/Getty Images

The boss of Pets at Home has said “urgent and necessary” action needs to be taken as the ailing retailer reported that its half-year profits slumped by more than a third.

The group is still looking for a chief executive after the abrupt departure of Lyssa McGowan in September. The interim executive chair, Ian Burke, said the chain, which sells pet products, animals, veterinary care and grooming services, had to “return to our retaining roots” to revitalise the 34-year-old business.