The pet supply store has been able to survive competition from Wal-Mart, grocery chains and online retailers for several reasons. First, they understand their consumers. They’re experts in the various pet products and brands to help shoppers make the most informed choices. They understand how certain products and services can meet their shoppers’ needs better than a more generalized or impersonal outlet. Secondly, they offer a wider selection of exotic pet, bird, reptile, cat and dog supplies than other stores. Thirdly, in addition to offering pet products, pet supply stores also provide grooming services, veterinary clinics, daycare and dog obedience schools to meet the demands of discerning consumers.
PetsMart is a top retailing pet supply store, with more than 1,107 outlets in 47 U.S. states and Canada. They also have 132 PetsHotels, or cat and dog boarding facilities. At their Doggie Day Camps, over 378,000 dogs are trained each year. The pet grooming facilities clean up 7.5 million dogs and cats each year, the 1,000 pet hospitals care for 3.5 million pets annually and the pet adoption services help 7,000 pets find new happy homes. As for pet care products, shoppers will peruse 13,000 unique items for birds, cats, dogs, small mammals, horses, reptiles, amphibians, arachnids and fish. Ongoing reward programs and promotions keep the store competitive and their pet supplies online site remains at the top.
PetCo is another major pet supply store, with nearly 1,000 outlets in all 50 states. Like PetSmart, consumers can bring their pets in for vaccinations, full-service grooming and obedience classes. Additionally, pet owners and pets can pose for photos together and owners can have DNA tests on their mixed breed dogs to see what their origins are. Prospective pet owners can adopt new cats and dogs from area shelters right at the store or learn more about caring for different pets. Everything from dog carriers and premium cat food to guinea pig litter and bird supplies can be found among the thousands of products on the shelves.
No matter which pet supply store a consumer chooses, there are many available products and services. Another great thing about these stores is that they both have a “pets allowed” policy, so dogs and cats can walk right into the store to pick out their own favorite toys or treats. Some people may head online to find deeper discounts, better store hours and hassle-free shipping right to their front doors. Both PetCo and PetSmart offer convenient online shopping for their customers at www.petco.com and www.petsmart.com, respectively.
