Walmart plans to open new vet-and-grooming centers as pawrents keep splurging
.jpg)
All dogs go to… Walmart. America’s largest retailer said it’s opening five new pet-services centers this fall next door to its main stores — so shoppers can buy milk and a rabies shot in the same trip. Walmart said its first vet-and-groomer locations, which opened last year, have been getting two paws up. Cat and dog parents made return trips to the centers for services like nail trims and vaccines. While they waited for Milo’s appointment to wrap up, they bought pet food and supplies. Walmart also plans to make its vet telehealth service, Pawp, a permanent benefit for Walmart+ subscribers after it became last year’s most popular limited-time offer.
Roll over: Walmart said earlier this year that it planned to close all 51 of its for-humans healthcare clinics, citing high operating costs. It also ditched its telehealth service.
Good dog: Walmart said pet care is simpler and more profitable than human care. Centers can be smaller and most pets don’t have complicated insurance policies.
Retail’s best friend… Americans scooped up puppies and kittens during the pandemic, and overall industry spend’s expected to pop 113% from 2019 to 2030. Individually, owners are expected to spend $1.5K on their pets next year and $1.7K by 2030. And as pandemic pets age, retailers are expanding from usually one-time supplies like beds and crates to services like vets and groomers. Online pet retailer Chewy launched its first vet centers this year, while Petco’s opened hundreds of clinics in its stores since 2018 (when it had just 10).
The tail’s always wagging… Experts say the pet industry is resilient in tough economic times. Pet parents, who Walmart said are increasingly higher-income Gen Zers, tend to keep splurging on treats for Fido even as they cut back on their personal budgets. In other words, retailers are counting on the power of puppy eyes.