Home improvement center Lowe’s and pet product retailer Petco put one big box inside another. The two big-box retail companies plan a pilot store-in-store program. A miniature Petco will function inside a Lowe’s, forming a branded pet aisle essentially.
Currently, at least one of Lowe’s home improvement center competitors sells dog, cat and other pet foods and treats, Menards. Similarly, Tractor Supply and other farm/feed stores sell pet products.
The difference here is that Petco will operate symbiotically with Lowe’s, as opposed to the home center developing its own pet division.
Such partnerships could allow pet retailers to slip into a range of unexplored channels. Pet owners have been tending towards one-stop-shopping for pet food and treats, even before the pandemic. I wouldn’t be surprised to see pet retailers or local pet food companied themselves developing partnerships with gas stations, convenience markets and other locations that offer expediency to pet owners.
Petco and Lowe’s to form partnership
Adapted from a press release:
The first Lowe’s + Petco store-in-store concept is expected to open at Lowe’s Alamo Ranch, Texas, USA location in early February. The companies plan to expand to 14 additional Lowe’s locations in Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina by the end of March 2022. Lowe’s stores nationwide have a open-door policy to pets.
A survey by Lowe’s, 67% of respondents stated they 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 vice president of merchandising, in a press release. “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 + Petco locations will offer an assortment of Petco’s pet nutrition, and health and wellness supplies and services, including Petco’s private label brands: WholeHearted, EveryYay, Youly, Leaps & Bounds and So Phresh, and national brands.
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 Lowe’s pilot locations at no additional cost.
Lowe’s + Petco locations are also expected to offer a selection of Petco’s pet services, including Vetco vaccination clinics, microchipping, prescription pest prevention, and mobile grooming at select times and locations. Pilot locations will staff Petco employees during peak hours to offer pet-focused guidance alongside Lowe’s associates’ advice on home improvement projects.
