BRISTOL, Pa., March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- With the success of discount stores in this uncertain economic environment, The Closeout Group Inc. has decided to expand their business in to the pet arena. Based in Bristol, PA, The Closeout Group Inc. was opened in 1993 by Mervin Dezenhall and Alan Smith. They recently formed a new company called The Pet Brand Group.

Heading up the new venture is Ray Arabia, someone who is no stranger to the pet community. Ray has over 19 years experience in the industry. In 1993, he delved right into the pet business starting as a partner in his brother's company, Pets Plus. Working with his brother, Ray helped to develop the stores' top service and quality identity and grow the company into one of the largest family operated pet chains with 10 locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Ray will be leaving Pets Plus. Although he will continue to have 25% ownership in the business he will leave the day-to-day operations to his brother Mark Arabia and his best friend Bruce Smith.

With U.S. discount stores representing combined annual revenue of over $130 billion, The Closeout Group Inc. realized the great potential of expanding into the pet arena. In his new post at The Pet Brand Group, Ray has stated, "I am very excited at this amazing opportunity and will use my knowledge and contacts in the industry to focus on purchasing closeouts or overstocks from pet-related companies and reselling them to national chains." Ray will be working closely with President Mervin Dezenhall and Vice President Alan Smith while developing this new addition to the company.

For information regarding The Pet Brand Group, contact Monica at 215-633-8611.

SOURCE The Pet Brand Group