Pets at Home Group PLC (LON:PETS) has announced its estate will remain open during the coronavirus outbreak.
The FTSE 250-listed retailer will provide products and veterinary services, though the grooming salons have been shuttered.
READ: Pets at Home adopts Ian Burke as non-executive chairman
Other companies allowed to keep trading were Domino’s Pizza Group PLC (LON:DOM), B&M European Value Retail SA (LON:BME), Marks and Spencer Group PLC (LON:MKS), Halfords Group PLC (LON:HFD) and McColl’s Retail Group PLC (LON:MCLS).
They will need to implement heightened health and safety measures to protect staff and customers.
“We would expect the companies to outperform in the current lock-down situation and be benefiting from the demand spike as consumers stockpile,” analysts at Liberum commented.
On Monday, the UK government has stepped up measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including temporary closures a series of non-essential businesses.
Shares in Pets at Home dipped 2% to 238.47p on Tuesday early afternoon.