Petco Launches New Store Format for Rural Communities
Pet retail giant Petco is set to launch its new community-driven test concept store designed for rural communities. The Neighborhood Farm & Pet Supply format will make its debut in Floresville, Tex. on June 17, serving the needs of pets and farm animals.
"These are rapidly-growing markets where pet parents are looking for an experienced, pet-dedicated partner like Petco to help them care for the health and wellness of their animals," said Petco CEO, Ron Coughlin. "This is an exciting opportunity for us to serve more pets by dramatically expanding local access to healthy pet products and services."
The new pet care centers feature brand-new, stand-alone retail locations located at the heart of small-town and rural communities. The Neighborhood Farm & Pet Supply pet care centers aim to serve as a ‘one-stop shop’ for health and wellness solutions for pets and farm animals such as horses, cows, pigs, sheep, goats and more.
Petco's full suite of offerings will include:
- High-quality nutrition
- Curated farm and feed assortment
- Live companion animals
- Mobile vaccination and grooming services
- Self-wash stations
- Same-day delivery
- Buy online, pick-up in store
- Curbside pickup
If successful, Petco plans to expand the new format later this year, as more pet owners make the move from city to rural life. The retailer said an estimated 14% of Americans currently live in rural areas, and in 2021, or the first time in 50 years, counties with an urban center and more than 250,000 people experienced negative growth as a category.
Founded in 1965, Petco currently operates more than 1,500 pet care centers across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico.