Central Garden & Pet: CEO History

Central's main challenges are concentrated retail customers, weather-driven garden demand, and commodity costs. A handful of large retailers account for a significant share of sales, so inventory cuts or shelf resets at those chains move results quickly. Garden revenue depends on spring weather; a cold or wet season can shift or erase sales. Inputs such as grass seed, grains for bird feed, rawhide and resin are exposed to crop yields, tariffs and freight costs. Discretionary pet categories (aquatics, small-animal habitats, durable toys) have also been soft since the pandemic-era surge. Reported revenue has fallen three years in a row, from $3.34 billion in fiscal 2022 to $3.13 billion in fiscal 2025, and the 2026 distribution exit lowers reported sales further even as margins improve.