The rollout of the ZooRoyal stores marks the beginning of a new chapter in REWE's history. In addition to retail sales assistants, we will soon be welcoming completely new, exciting job profiles among our colleagues. We are kicking off our series "Animal-friendly dream jobs" with hairdresser Andrea Ozekker.
From 2026, ZooRoyal - REWE Group's pet supplies retailer - will be rolling out its own bricks-and-mortar speciality stores across Germany. What has so far mainly scored points online and in REWE and PENNY stores will then also be experienced locally: a modern store concept, a wide range of specialist pet supplies - and, above all, people who put their heart and expertise into their work.
Whether it's a pet hairdresser, aquarist or buyer for dog beds and cat scratching posts: in our series "Animal dream jobs", we introduce you to ZooRoyal colleagues who have turned their passion into a profession and show how diverse working with and for animals can be.
She was actually supposed to be the deputy store manager at REWE salesman Kim Ide's brand-new ZooRoyal store in Elmshorn. But when the retailer and his store manager Jennyver Solbau were urgently looking for someone to run the store's own "FellSpa", Andrea Ozekker decided to take a different path. The trained hairdresser explains: "I trimmed my giant schnauzer myself for 15 years and then quickly trained as a dog groomer. ZooRoyal gave me all the support I needed." Today, at the age of 56, she is living her dream job.
The FellSpa is an important part of the ZooRoyal speciality store concept. "There is a shortage of dog groomers in many German cities. With our FellSpa, we attract customers to our stores, offer them an attractive additional service and turn them into loyal regular customers," says Marcel Bersch, the ZooRoyal managing director responsible for the brick-and-mortar stores. The fact that Andrea's appointments are often fully booked for months in advance shows that the service is well received by animal lovers.
Patience and sensitivity are just as much a part of Andrea's job as expertise in coat care and the correct handling of sensitive animals. (Photos: Laura Lam and Simone Holtzhausen)
Andrea Ozekker's everyday life is a colourful mix of craftsmanship, creativity and love of animals. From nervous Chihuahuas to cuddly retrievers, Andrea takes an individual approach to each four-legged friend. "There is strength in calm, don't forget to breathe. That's what I tell myself, but sometimes I also tell the dogs," she explains. Patience and sensitivity are just as much a part of this as expertise in coat care, breed standards or the right way to handle sensitive animals.
Of course, the job also brings challenges, for example with matted or particularly temperamental dogs. But for Andrea, the joy prevails: "When the dogs are picked up and the customers are also happy that the dog has turned out so beautifully, that's exactly my thing." Moments like these confirm to her every day that she has chosen the right path.
Andrea Ozekker particularly appreciates the fact that ZooRoyal and Kim Ide have supported her along the way. The organisation of her training, further training and a strong team in the store give her the security to be able to concentrate fully on the dogs. "We're a great team, we laugh a lot, help each other and work together when things get tricky."
With a view to the planned expansion and the many ZooRoyal FellSpas that are to follow Andrea's pioneering business in Elmshorn, she is convinced that the profession of dog groomer offers exciting opportunities, especially for career changers. "Anyone who wants to work creatively and loves animals will find their dream job here. I wouldn't want to do anything else."