Walmart Launches New Pet Care Services, Continues to Expand Full Suite of Pet Offerings

Rhea-AI Summary

Walmart has launched Walmart Pet Care, a comprehensive pet care suite targeting the 90 million U.S. pet owners. This service includes Walmart Pet Insurance and offers dog-walking and pet-sitting via Rover. With 98% of pets uninsured, Walmart aims to provide accessible pet insurance, letting customers save up to 10% on policies that cover accident and illness. Pet owners booking services through Rover can earn Walmart gift cards. This initiative aligns with Walmart's commitment to enhancing customer convenience amidst rising pet adoption rates during the pandemic.

Positive

• Launch of Walmart Pet Care, expanding pet offerings.
• Partnership with Petplan allows customers to save up to 10% on pet insurance.
• Introduction of pet sitting and dog walking services through Rover.
• Offer of $20 gift cards for customers using Rover services.

Negative

• None.

BENTONVILLE, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Walmart understands pets aren’t just pets, they’re family. That’s why today, Walmart is announcing its continued expansion of its full suite of Pet offerings with the launch of Walmart Pet Care – a full-service, omnichannel pet care offering that makes holistic care easy, simple and affordable for the 90 million pet owners who shop at Walmart. The retailer is leveraging industry-leading providers to bring customers trusted pet care programs in one place, including Walmart Pet Insurance and convenient pet care services like dog-walking and pet sitting.

“We’re on a mission to help families live better – and that goes for pets, too,” said Melody Richard, merchandising vice president, Pets. “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. As the most shopped omnichannel retailer for pet products, our new pet care services and support offer our customers trusted, convenient services that provide the exceptional care their pets deserve.”

In the U.S., 98% of pets remain uninsured*, even though one-third of Americans cannot cover an unexpected medical bill over $100**. As every pet parent’s trusted companion, Walmart offers Walmart Pet Insurance, an accessible insurance solution in the same place customers buy their pet food and fill their pet’s prescriptions. In collaboration with Petplan, North America's most comprehensive pet insurance provider^, Walmart customers can save up to 10% on their policies and can sign-up for an insurance plan that provides coverage for veterinary fees due to accident, injury or illness, including chronic and hereditary conditions. Walmart Pet Insurance also makes it easy for customers to file claims and schedule appointments through Petplan’s digital service. Each policy also includes access to $1000 worth of online virtual vet appointments at no additional charge.

Walmart Pet Care will also include new pet sitting and dog walking services through Rover, an easy-to-use website and app that provides access to trusted neighborhood care. Through Rover, pet parents can quickly and easily book pet sitters and dog walkers from over 300,000 providers in their communities across the country. Walmart is working with Rover to provide customers with convenient pet sitters and dog walkers that match each pet, lifestyle and budget. As a perk for pet owners who book services through Rover, Walmart customers will receive a $20 Walmart gift card for their first completed service and another $20 Walmart gift card if they complete their fifth services within six months.

Walmart Pet Care includes Walmart PetRx, in-store and online pharmacy services introduced by Walmart in 2019, that give customers the opportunity to fill pet prescriptions at prices significantly below competitors. Walmart Pet Care is just one of the recent investments the retailer has made in the Pet category, joining its growing assortment of over 1,800 premium and specialty pet products and the expansion of in-store vet clinics that offer Walmart customers quality pet care, conveniently where they shop.

For more information on Walmart Pet Care, visit Walmart.com/PetCare.

*Source: Total Pets Insured. (2020, June 11). Retrieved from https://naphia.org/about-the-industry/section-2-total-pets-insured/
**Source: Facts + Statistics: Pet statistics. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-pet-statistics
^Source: Most comprehensive according to Consumer’s Advocate based on a comparison of injury and illness coverage between Petplan and North American pet insurance providers.

About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, over 265 million customers and members visit approximately 11,500 stores under 56 banners in 27 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2020 revenue at $524 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart.

About Petplan
Petplan insurance policies are administered by Fetch Insurance Services, LLC (Fetch Insurance Agency, LLC in Michigan), d/b/a Petplan (Petplan Insurance Agency, LLC in California) and underwritten by XL Specialty Insurance Company, a Stamford, CT, Insurance Company, A.M. Best rated A+ and AGCS Marine Insurance Company, a Chicago, IL, Insurance Company, A.M. Best rated A+ and a member of the Allianz Group, in the U.S. and XL Specialty Insurance Company - Canadian Branch in Canada. Information accurate as of November 2020. Coverage is subject to terms and conditions, less any applicable policy limits, deductible or co-pay, and pursuant to all policy exclusions. Policy terms and conditions may vary by state or province. Virtual Visits are referred to in the policy as Telehealth treatments. Telehealth currently not available in NY, MO, NJ, WA, & CA. Most comprehensive according to Consumer’s Advocate as of September 2020 based on a comparison of injury and illness coverage between Petplan and North American pet insurance providers.