Lowe’s and Petco are piloting a new store-in-store program that will bring a selection of Petco’s pet products and services to the home improvement retailer. The first Lowe’s + Petco store-in-store will open at Lowe’s Alamo Ranch, Texas location in early February, with plans to expand to 14 additional Lowe’s locations in Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina by the end of March 2022.
While hammers and kibble might at first seem like strange bedfellows, pets do play outsized roles in Americans’ homes. More than 11 million new pets have entered U.S. homes since the start of the pandemic, according to the American Pet Products Association. A survey by Lowe’s found that 67% of respondents said pets were their greatest comfort, followed by nearly half who said they found 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, EVP of Merchandising at Lowe’s in a statement. “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 stores nationwide have had a longstanding open-door policy for pets, but the Lowe’s + Petco shop-in-shops will take that to a new level with a curated assortment of Petco’s pet food, supplies and services. Among the services offered will be Vetco vaccination clinics, microchipping, prescription pest prevention and mobile grooming at select times and locations. Pilot locations also will staff locations with Petco employees during peak hours to offer pet-focused guidance.
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In addition to the in-store shops, select Petco products also will be available on Lowes.com to be picked up curbside, in contactless pickup lockers or at the Customer Service desk, at no additional cost.
“Our pets’ place in our hearts and homes has never been more front-and-center, and our responsibility to provide them with a safe, healthy and stimulating home environment is an essential part of Petco’s ‘whole health’ philosophy,” said Nick Konat, Chief Merchandising Officer of Petco in a statement. “Bringing Petco’s pet care expertise, high-quality products and veterinary and grooming services to Lowe’s helps make it easier than ever to create healthy, happy homes for pet parents and the pets they love.”
