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Walmart is expanding its pet care business by opening five more pet services centers in October and early November. These new locations in Arizona and Georgia will offer veterinary care and grooming services. Walmart’s first pet services center opened last year near Atlanta and has seen strong visits and repeat rates.

The pet category is a lucrative growth opportunity for Walmart, attracting customers of all ages and driving frequent purchases. The new pet services centers will be staffed by employees of PetIQ and will offer routine vet care and grooming for cats and dogs. Walmart decided to expand after observing a “halo effect” on sales of pet food and supplies from customers visiting for vet or grooming services.

Other factors influencing Walmart’s expansion into pet services include the growing trend of pet ownership and increased household spending on pets. Walmart has seen high demand for pet-related services, with subscription offerings like veterinary telehealth being popular among customers. The pet category has also been a way for Walmart to reach younger and more affluent shoppers.

Earlier this year, Walmart announced the closure of its health-care clinics for people due to challenging reimbursement environments and escalating operating costs. However, Walmart finds pet care to be a simpler and more profitable business, as fewer people pay for pet care through insurance and the centers can be more compact. Walmart aims to provide transparent pricing and serve as a one-stop shop for customers needing pet prescriptions or food.

Overall, Walmart is confident in the long-term success of its pet services centers.

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