09:40 ET--Pet Valu's latest guidance underscores a problem that has been building for several quarters: even devoted pet owners are behaving more like value shoppers. The company is now guiding for lower adjusted earnings and tighter margins in 2026, pointing to heightened value-seeking consumer demand trends and rising fuel costs. That pressure has been evident as inflation and broader economic uncertainty push customers to trade down from premium brands or wait for promotions. Pet owners haven't stopped spending on their pets, but they are spending more cautiously. (adriano.marchese@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
May 12, 2026 09:40 ET (13:40 GMT)
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