Petco has launched a retail concept called PetCoach, in San Marcos, Calif., to offer pet health and wellness services, products and experiences from a veterinary perspective.
"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 Petco CEO Ron Coughlin in a press release. "With PetCoach, we're reinventing the idea of a traditional 'pet store' by providing complete care experiences — from grooming, training and day care to full-service veterinary care — that simply can't be delivered by mail or by a mass retailer."
This new model brings Petco's previously online-only, veterinary-led PetCoach platform to life in a retail setting, enhanced by digital and mobile tools, so pet parents can have 24-7 access to the support they need, whenever and wherever they need it. The on-site services include grooming, training, veterinary care, nutritional consultations, day care, self-wash, mobile-vet house calls and dog walking — all in one place.
The store design helps highlight the experiences offered, including clear visibility into each service area and casual gathering spaces for personal interactions and educational events. PetCoach also offers a membership option that provides such perks as free vet visits and discounted products and services.
Digitally, pet parents can create customized pet profiles; book in-store service appointments and receive tailored reminders; access immediate professional advice from licensed veterinarians; order from a vet-vetted selection of pet food and supplies; and search an extensive library of content relevant to the pet, including health and vaccination records and service history.
Whether online or in-store, a team of trained pet coaches will get to know every pet and assist pet owners to make the best choices for the animal. Every service and product offered — including a limited selection of top natural pet nutrition brands — has been selected and approved by licensed 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, Petco's executive vice president of strategic innovation and digital experience. "The concept allows us to continue creating new, differentiated and personalized pet care experiences, all backed by our extensive veterinary expertise and support."
By Brannon Boswell
Executive Editor, Commerce + Communities Today
