Pet Valu Laying Off Almost 100 Bucks Co. Workers

LEVITTOWN, PA — Pet Valu, the Pennsylvania-based pet food and supply store, will lay off nearly 100 workers at its Bucks County warehouse next month, the company says.

In November, the company, which is based in Chester County, said it will be closing all 358 of its stores and warehouses, citing the coronavirus pandemic as a factor in the shutdown. That includes the Pet Valu warehouse on Green Lane in Levittown.

The company has informed the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry that 93 employees will be laid off in Levittown. Layoffs are scheduled for Jan. 6 and Jan. 29, according to the department's November notices.

Another 64 workers will be laid off at the company's headquarters in Wayne, according to the department. Pet Valu was not required to announce layoff numbers from its individual stores, since they employ fewer than 50 people.

In Bucks County, Pet Valu has locations in Newtown, Richboro, Bensalem, Fairless Hills, Jamison, New Hope, Warrington.

Last month, Jamie Gould, who was recently appointed as the company's chief restructuring officer, cited a decline in sales due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"The Pet Valu U.S. team is proud to have met the needs of our devoted pet lover customers in the U.S. for more than 25 years," Gould said in a news release at the time. "However, the company's stores have been significantly impacted by the protracted COVID-19-related restrictions. After a thorough review of all available alternatives, we made the difficult but necessary decision to commence this orderly wind down."

Closing sales began on Nov. 5. Customers with Pet Valu gift cards are encouraged to use them by Sunday, Dec. 13. Gift cards cannot be exchanged for cash.