RELATED: The One Thing You Should Never Buy at Lowe’s, Shopping Experts Warn. Lowe’s is getting ready to expand its offerings for shoppers. The home improvement retailer just announced that it is teaming up with renowned pet company Petco. According to a Jan. 27 statement from Lowe’s, the two retailers will be introducing a “store-in-store program” that will bring some of Petco’s products and services into Lowe’s locations. The first of these stores is expected to open in early February at the Lowe’s in Alamo Ranch, Texas. Lowe’s shoppers in Alamo Ranch are not the only ones who will get to experience the new Petco locations. According to the retailer, this is still a pilot program, so only select locations will be getting the upgrade for now. But there are already plans to expand the initial program to 14 additional Lowe’s locations by the end of March 2022—some in Texas and some in two other states, North Carolina and South Carolina. It has not yet been announced which stores in these states will be getting a Petco add-on. “For many of our customers, their pets and their homes top the list of things that matter most, especially after two years spent mostly together within the same four walls,” Bill Boltz, Lowe’s executive vice president of merchandising, said in a statement. “This partnership enhances the total home solution we offer them by bringing home improvement and pet care products, services and expertise together under one roof.” RELATED: For more retail news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. According to Lowe’s, the new Lowe’s + Petco locations will offer a “curated assortment” of products already sold at Petco stores, which will include some of the pet company’s brands such as WholeHearted, EveryYay, Youly, Leaps & Bounds, and So Phresh, as well as other popular national brands. Shoppers will be able to purchase these products in store, but they will also be available online for those who can access pick up services at the pilot locations.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb There are hundreds of Petco products expected to become available at these stores, according to USA Today, but the new program won’t stop at its item offerings. These combined locations are also planning to offer a limited selection of Petco’s pet services, “including Vetco vaccination clinics, microchipping, prescription pest prevention, and mobile grooming” during select times. “To better serve those looking for expertise in both the home and pet space, pilot locations will staff knowledgeable Petco partners (employees) during peak hours to offer pet-focused guidance alongside Lowe’s associates’ advice on home improvement projects,” Lowe’s added in its announcement. Lowe’s and Petco’s partnership was created to provide convenience amid a growing rate of pet ownership in the country, officials for both companies told USA Today. They said that more than 11 million new pets have been brought into U.S. homes over the past two years. Nick Konat, Petco’s chief merchandising officer, told the news outlet that it is clear that pets have been a source of joy and comfort for many during the pandemic. A survey conducted by Lowe’s found that 67 percent of respondents have found their greatest comfort in pets recently. “And at the same time, people are spending more time in their homes, investing to make their homes better places to live and better places for their pets to live in as well,” Konat added. Marisa Thalberg, Lowe’s executive vice president, chief brand and market officer, told USA Today that around 60 percent of people the company talked to “indicated they’d be more likely to shop at a home improvement retailer if they could also purchase all their pet needs in the same place.” RELATED: Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Other Retailers Are Pulling This Product from Stores.
