Walmart has opened its first pet services center at 3615 Marietta Hwy in Dallas, Georgia, offering routine veterinary care and grooming in a central location within a dedicated storefront.
Services, which are provided by qualified veterinary and grooming professionals in collaboration with PetIQ, include vaccines, wellness exams and minor medical issues. Grooming offerings include baths, nail and basic hair trims and ear and teeth cleaning. There also is a self-serve dog wash.
The Walmart Pet Services center is serving as a pilot for the company to work with collaborators and optimize offerings that deliver on quality, affordability and accessibility.
“It was a natural decision to pilot our Walmart Pet Services center in the same store where Walmart opened the doors to its first Walmart Health center in 2019,” said Kaitlyn Shadiow, VP of merchandising of pets.
“Now customers will be able to conveniently access their family’s basic health care solutions in one central location, including the health care needs of their furry friends.”
Walmart offers in-store vet clinics on-site in more than 65 stores across the country, owned and operated by PetIQ. All Walmart pharmacies stock popular pet medications. In addition, a new pet pharmacy experience is coming soon online and through the app.
For a limited time, Walmart+ members can take advantage of benefits such as 24/7 virtual access to licensed veterinary professionals via text and video through a free one-year Pawp membership and save $30 off services by Rover, including dog walking, sitting and boarding.
Also, the company’s new subscription service offers more convenience to customers, who can schedule automatic deliveries of frequently purchased items at a cadence that fits their preference.
Based on the company’s pilot testing, the pet category has been where customers have most embraced this convenience.
“We are excited to bring the Walmart Pet Services center to Dallas, Georgia, residents to improve access to affordable and quality pet care and are eager to introduce the model to other communities in the future,” Shadiow concluded.
Read more center store news from The Shelby Report.
