A PetCoach store has opened in San Marcos, Calif., bringing Petco’s previously online-only veterinary-led platform to life in a retail setting. “With PetCoach, we are reinventing the idea of a traditional pet store by providing complete care experiences that simply cannot be delivered by mail or by a mass retailer,” said Ron Coughlin, CEO of Petco. Advertised as an essential one-stop shop for animal care needs, the location’s on-site services include grooming, training, veterinary care, nutrition consultations, day care, self-wash stations, mobile veterinary house calls, and dog walking. Subscribers who pay a $9 monthly membership fee receive discounts on goods and services. “Pet parents tell us they want expert advice they can trust and easy, seamless access to everything they need to take the best possible care of the pets they love,” said Coughlin. Digitally, pet owners can create custom profiles and view their pets’ health and vaccination records, book in-store service appointments, and sign up for tailored reminders. The service also offers immediate access to pet health advice from veterinarians. “The new PetCoach location serves as an innovation lab where we can test and learn more about what pet parents want and need to live their best lives with their pets,” said Brock Weatherup, executive VP of strategic innovation and digital experience with Petco. “The concept allows us to continue creating new, differentiated, and personalized pet care experiences, all backed by our extensive veterinary expertise and support.” Petco said it intends to open more PetCoach stores in the future, using its San Marcos store to experiment.
