Pets at Home has issued a warning that "urgent and necessary" actions are required to revive the company's retail division, as it disclosed a more than one-third drop in half-year profits.

Ian Burke, who stepped in as interim executive chairman following the sudden departure of chief executive Lyssa McGowan in September, stated the group was "returning to our retailing roots" in an effort to rejuvenate the chain's fortunes.

The retail arm of Pets at Home saw underlying profits plunge by 84.1% to £3.5m in the six months leading up to October 9, counterbalancing a robust performance from the veterinary business and resulting in an overall group profit decrease of 33.5% to £36.2.

Mr Burke commented: "For over 30 years, Pets at Home has been a business with a clear purpose, an established m

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