Lowe’s targets rural communities with big rollout of in-store Petco shops

Petco Health + Wellness Company is growing its in-store footprint with Lowe’s Companies. 

The two retailers are expanding their pilot program to open in-store Petco shops inside Lowe’s from 15 Lowe’s stores to nearly 300 locations by year-end, with a focus on rural communities. 

The branded in-store Petco shops will carry a range of products from nutrition and supplies to flea and tick solutions, with a mix that includes  Petco private brands as well as national ones. The retailer’s Vetco Clinics, offering vaccinations, microchipping and preventative medicine, will be available once a month at 75 Lowe's stores and will be staffed by a licensed veterinarian.    

The expansion is part of Lowe's broader rural strategy to tailor its assortment in up to 300 stores to include everything needed for farm and home. Expanded rural store assortments will include feed, pet and outdoor products such as troughs, an expanded trailer selection, farm implements, livestock fencing and more.

"Our initial pilot program with Petco resonated with our existing, loyal shoppers and introduced new customers to Lowe's," said Bill Boltz, Lowe's executive VP of merchandising. "Partnering with top brands that our customers know and trust, like Petco, allows Lowe's to continue elevating and localizing our curated assortment to ensure we have the right products in the right markets. By expanding our store-in-store footprint, we're offering more tailored products and services to meet the unique needs of our customers in rural and remote areas, streamlining the shopping experience."

According to the American Pet Products Association,  90.5 million families – or 70% of U.S. households – now own a pet.

"The success and expansion of our Lowe's + Petco store-in-store concept is proof of the important role pets play in our lives, and pet parents' deep desire to give them the best possible life in return," said Amy College, Petco chief merchandising officer. "As Americans continue to improve their homes for the entire family – including their beloved pets – we're delighted to bring Petco's pet care expertise, combined with our health and wellness merchandise and veterinary services, to even more pet parents as we scale up to hundreds of Lowe's locations across the country."

Lowe's operates over 1,700 home improvement stores and employs approximately 300,000 associates. Petco operates more than 1,500 locations across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico.