With the launch of its new pet care center, Walmart is making it clear that it wants to be more than just a grocery store for its consumers.
The facility's official opening will happen on Wednesday, September 20, in Dallas, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta located approximately 30 miles to the northwest.
Market Expansion
According to CNBC, this move is part of the retailer's effort to expand its pet supply business. Walmart has been selling pet supplies for decades, and their own label dog food, Ol' Roy, is named after Sam Walton's English setter.
The new facility, however, will allow Walmart to test the waters of the more lucrative service sector of the pet market, including health care. The Walmart pharmacies already carry popular pet drugs from the brand.
The pet care area at Walmart will have its own entrance next to the main shop. It will be branded as a Walmart store, but its workers will be from PetIQ, a veterinary services and pet supplies retailer. PetIQ, which opened its first vet clinic in 2016, has secured space in over 65 Walmart establishments.
According to Kaitlyn Shadiow, Walmart's vice president of pet merchandising in the US, the Georgia store will act as a pilot for future expansion. She declined to commit to an exact number, but Walmart is planning to establish more pet stores in the next year.
Wellness checks, nail trims, teeth cleaning, hair grooming, and more will all be available at Walmart's pet care facility. Prices start at $15 for a nail trim, $25 for rabies injections, and $97 for a vital package. That checkup will include a thorough physical, immunizations, and a check for parasites.
The pet boutique will provide veterinary care for canines and felines. Dogs may get a trim if desired. As of the moment, additional animals are not on Walmart's radar.
Growing Demand
In recent years, as more and more Americans have come to see their pets as members of the family, a growing number of businesses have sought to capitalize on the rising tide of pet-related consumer expenditure.
Among them is Lowe's, which has said it would roll out miniature Petco Health and Wellness shops, as well as mobile vet services to new locations. Kohl's has also begun dedicating space to pet products in select stores.
American Pet Products Association (APPA) reports that in 2022, consumers spent $136.8 billion on their pets. Among the many services and products available in this massive industry are the provision of food and treats, boarding, dog walking, and veterinary care. The APPA estimates that the $35.9 billion earned by the business last year was driven mostly by veterinarian services and supplies, followed by pet food and treats.
Chewy and Petco have both turned to pet health care as a potential growth area when the Covid-induced pet boom fades, and customers purchase fewer pet toys and supplies, particularly as the pandemic puppies and other pets reach adulthood.
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