A major American big box retailer might be showing its cards as a growing competitor to veterinary clinics. Walmart, in collaboration with Petplan, will now offer customers pet insurance as part of Walmart Pet Care, its newly launched suite of animal services. The news comes at a time when private practices are already competing with big-box retailers and pharmacy e-tailers that are digging into their revenue. “We’re on a mission to help families live better, and that goes for pets, too,” says the company’s merchandising vice president for pets, Melody Richard. “Especially as adoption rates soar as a result of the pandemic and more people become pet owners, this was the perfect time to launch expanded services in Walmart Pet Care for our customers.” Walmart Pet Care will also include pet sitting and dog walking services through the app Rover.
