Eye on Retail: Walmart goes all in for pets

Walmart is expanding its pet business to tap as the market for pet supplies and pet care continues to grow.

The retail giant is launching Walmart Pet Care, a full-service offering on its website that will serve as a central station where customers can sign up for services such as pet insurance and dog walking and find a wide range of pet products. 

The insurance, which Walmart is offering in collaboration with pet-insurance provider Petplan, provides coverage for veterinary fees due to accident, injury or illness, including chronic and hereditary conditions. Customers can file claims and schedule appointments through Petplan’s digital service. Each policy also includes access to $1,000 worth of online virtual vet appointments at no additional charge.

Walmart will offer its new pet sitting and dog walking services through Rover, a website and app that provides access to neighborhood care. Using the service, pet owners can quickly and easily book pet sitters and dog walkers from over 300,000 providers in their communities nationwide. As a perk for pet owners who book services through Rover, Walmart customers will receive a $20 Walmart gift card for their first completed service and another $20 Walmart gift card if they complete their fifth services within six months. 

Walmart Pet Care includes Walmart PetRx, an in-store and online service that fills prescriptions for dogs, cats, horses and livestock that the retailer launched in 2019. 

“We’re on a mission to help families live better – and that goes for pets, too,” Melody Richard, merchandising VP, pets, said. “Especially as adoption rates soar as a result of the pandemic, and more people become pet owners, this was the perfect time to launch expanded services in Walmart Pet Care for our customers. As the most-shopped omnichannel retailer for pet products, our new pet care services and support offer our customers trusted, convenient services that provide the exceptional care their pets deserve.”

[This story originally appeared on chainstoreage.com.]