Petco Tests Rural Farm and Pet Store Concept in Texas

Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. is testing a new concept store to reach the rural and small-town consumer with the opening of its first Neighborhood Farm & Pet Supply in Floresville, Texas, on June 17. The pet goods retailer sees a growth opportunity in rural communities as consumers exit densely populated city areas: two-thirds of urban counties in more densely populated areas have experienced population declines, according to the Economic Innovation Group.

Petco teased the new concept during its March 23, 2022, Investor Day, and the company plans to introduce additional standalone Neighborhood Farm & Pet Supply centers throughout 2022.

“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 Ron Coughlin, CEO of Petco in a statement. “This is an exciting opportunity for us to serve more pets by dramatically expanding local access to healthy pet products and services.”

Petco’s strategy to carve out greater market share has been to meet consumers where they are through its omnichannel services and a shop-in-shop partnership with home improvement retailer Lowe’s that launched earlier this year.

At the 15,000-square-foot Neighborhood Farm & Pet Supply, guests will find health and wellness products to help care for pets and farm animals such as horses, cows, pigs, sheep and goats. Offerings will include:

• Products to support animal nutrition;
• An assortment of farm and feed goods;
• Companion animals;
• Mobile vaccination and grooming services;
• Self-wash stations; 
• Same-day delivery;
• BOPIS options; and
• Curbside pickup.

Petco will be promoting these stores as central locations and gathering places by hosting local events and in-store community boards at each location. The retailer will also host adoption services in addition to health and wellness…