Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, is shifting focus from human health clinics to pet care. The company announced the opening of five new pet service centers in Arizona and Georgia by early November. This follows the success of its first pet services center near Atlanta, which offers veterinary care and grooming.
Walmart’s centers, staffed by PetIQ employees, provide routine veterinary services, vaccines, and grooming. According to Kaitlyn Shadiow, Walmart U.S. Vice President of Pets, the company has seen strong customer response, including a 25% rise in first-time pet shoppers. Walmart also sees potential for growth in the pet category among younger, more affluent shoppers, especially Gen Z, as more households embrace pet ownership.
The pet care market is expected to continue growing, with annual household spending projected to increase significantly by 2030.
