Pet product retailer Petsense has expanded its chain of stores, targeted at pet owners in US rural markets, by opening 18 new stores in 2012.

Petsense now operates a total of 69 pet product retail stores in 21 different US states but also plans to expand in 2013. The company says 2013 will be its largest year of store growth since being founded seven years ago, with plans to open at least 20 new stores.