Lowe’s to open in-store Petco shops
Lowe’s is looking beyond home improvement and appliances.
Lowe's and Petco Health and Wellness Company are partnering on a pilot program to open in-store Petco shops inside Lowe’s locations. The first one will open at the home improvement retailer’s store in Alamo Ranch, Texas, in early February, with 14 additional locations scheduled to open in Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina by the end of March 2022. The pilot locations will be staffed by Petco employees during peak hours.
The branded in-store shops will have a "pets welcome" atmosphere and offer a curated assortment of pet nutrition and health and wellness supplies, including Petco's exclusive brands as well as national labels. Pet services, including Vetco vaccination clinics, microchipping, prescription pest prevention and mobile grooming will be available at select times and locations.
Products will be available to purchase in store or on Lowes.com to be picked up curbside, in contactless pickup lockers or at the customer service desk at the pilot locations.
Over the past two years, Americans have found more comfort, security and emotional connection through their homes and pets than ever before. More than 11 million new pets entered U.S. homes since the start of the pandemic; and a new survey by Lowe's shows that 67% of respondents have found their greatest comfort in their pets while nearly half found that comfort in their homes.
Pet adoption is on the rise. More than 11 million new pets entered U.S. homes since the start of the pandemic, the two companies noted, and in a new survey by Lowe's, 67% of respondents said have found their greatest comfort in their pets while nearly half found that comfort in their homes.
“For many of our customers, their pets and their homes top the list of things that matter most, especially after two years spent mostly together within the same four walls," said Bill Boltz, Lowe's executive VP of merchandising. "This partnership enhances the total home solution we offer them by bringing home improvement and pet care products, services and expertise together under one roof."
Lowe’s has been expanding its merchandise focus to attract new customers and increase sales. In November, it launched a program to offer expert services and age-friendly, universal design products to help consumers age in place. As part of the initiative, the retailer entered into an online and in-store collaboration in customer education with AARP. Lowe’s also is adding more home décor items to its product assortment.
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