Chewy

Founding Year: 2011

Stock Exchange: (CHWY) - NYSE

What They Do: Chewy, an American ecommerce company specializing in pet food and other pet-related products, became a publicly traded company in 2019, marking a significant milestone in its journey from a startup founded in 2011 to a leading online retailer in the pet industry.

Founded by Ryan Cohen and Michael Day under the name “Mr. Chewy,” the company quickly grew by focusing on customer service and the convenience of online shopping, mirroring strategies from successful online retailers like Amazon. By 2017, Chewy was generating approximately $2 billion in revenue and commanded 51% of online pet food sales in the US, leading to its acquisition by PetSmart for $3.35 billion, the largest ever acquisition of an e-commerce business at the time​​.

Chewy’s mission has been to be the most trusted and convenient destination for pet parents and partners everywhere. Offering a wide selection of over 110,000 products, including private brands and prescription medications, Chewy prides itself on its commitment to customer service. This commitment is evident through their 24/7 assistance and innovative features like the Autoship subscription program, allowing customers to schedule their pet food, supplies, and medication deliveries.

Chewy’s dedication to improving the pet parenting experience has not only earned them a loyal customer base but also drove their revenue growth, with significant milestones reached in the years following their IPO. In 2020, Chewy and PetSmart announced they would operate as separate entities, further allowing Chewy to cement its identity and mission within the pet care market.