Walmart expands pet care business

Walmart announced Tuesday (Oct. 8) plans to expand its core pet care business in five new store locations, and virtual veterinary care, pet prescriptions and grooming services.

Building on the success of its pilot pet care center in Dallas, Ga., Walmart said it will open centers in Cumming and Alpharetta, Ga., and Glendale, Chandler and Mesa, Ariz., over the next month.

Kaitlyn Shadiow, vice president of merchandising, pets, Walmart U.S., said all locations will offer low, transparent pricing with easy-to-understand packages.

The retail pet category has a projected annual spending growth of 7% by 2030 and household expenses are expected to reach $1,445 per pet by 2026, according to analysts at Morgan Stanley.

Veterinary services are now the second largest pet spending category after consumables and are expected to see continued growth as pet owners prioritize their pets’ well-being. While customers are spending more on their pets, inflation continues to create unexpected financial burdens that can make caring for them a challenge, Shadiow said.

In collaboration with PetIQ, Walmart Pet Services will continue to offer routine veterinary care, vaccines, wellness exams and minor medical services, grooming, baths, nail trimming, teeth cleaning and ear cleaning with services provided by experienced veterinary and grooming professionals.

Walmart also said beginning Oct. 18, it will launch its Walmart+ benefit with Pawp that will give members free access to virtual veterinary care with unlimited free visits via text or video around the clock. The virtual veterinary service builds on Walmart’s expanded pet pharmacy services that deliver meds to customers’ doorsteps or they can fill the scripts inside Walmart stores.