Report: Walmart leads in attracting pet product shoppers

Market researcher Packaged Facts said in a pet products report that Bentonville, Ark.-based Walmart attracts more shoppers than other national retailers in the category.

More pet owners purchase products at the store than at other national retailers, the report said, adding that Walmart is better positioned on price selection and convenience, according to those surveyed. About 43 million of the 67 million pet-owning U.S. households shop at Walmart, the report notes, and “with its investment in click-and-collect, Walmart is helping to move the retail industry further toward its omni-channel destiny.”

The aggressive online push has already helped invigorate company sales, which could place brick-and-mortar and e-commerce competitors on notice, Packaged Facts said. “The company maintains a sizable in-store lead, and it is the third-most used online pet products and supplies retailer. Yet it also has pet product and supplies competitive weaknesses, where competitors have relative strengths,” Packaged Facts pointed out.

Additional expansion could include veterinary services, which could prompt development of other in-store services as the retailer builds on its one-stop shopping proposition. When selecting a preferred pet products provider, shoppers usually weigh factors such as price, convenience and brands/selection, but factors related to retail staff and in-store services also play a role, the report said.

“Overall, Walmart enjoys impressive strength in shopper traffic/shopping trips, offering almost unbeatable one-store shopping convenience, making it possible for pet owners to pick up non-pet products along with pet products of all stripes, in the same place,” says David Sprinkle, Packaged Facts’ research director. “Pet product customers are clearly a growth engine for Walmart.”