10 Jan 2017 --- Mars is expanding its footprint in the pet healthcare market by acquiring the veterinary hospital chain VCA for $7.7bn. Mars is to pay $93 a share in cash for one of North America’s biggest providers of pet healthcare services , which is a 31 percent premium of VCA’s share price of $70.77 on Friday. The acquisition comes as Mars is looking to shift sales away from its confectionery business-which includes brands such as M&Ms, Snickers and Mars-to counter the trend of consumers shunning sugary sweets.
