Petco Opens One-Stop Destination for Pet Health and Wellness in New York City

Petco, where the pets go. That’s the motto the specialty retailer aims to bring to its latest retail development: Petco’s flagship store in Union Square in New York City.

The store is open and located at the corner of 17th and Park, at 44 Union Square, and extends over 25,000 square feet across two floors. The facility aims to blend the best elements of Petco’s physical and digital offerings.

Petco’s latest retail development showcases a variety of features, including a grooming salon, veterinary hospital, JustFoodForDogs kitchen and a curated merchandise selection.

“We’re delighted to welcome pets and pet parents to this revolutionary flagship experience that embodies Petco’s fully integrated, omnichannel pet health and wellness ecosystem within a single pet care center,” Petco Chief Operating Officer Justin Tichy said in a Thursday (June 1) press release. “Its distinctly New York design coupled with Petco’s highly differentiated pet care offering brings to life the humanization and premiumization trends shaping the pet space in a way no one else can replicate.”

Why the New Flagship Location

In a bid to cater to the well-being of pets, Petco in Union Square will serve as a central hub offering a wide range of experiences, products, and services.

The flagship store presents a curated assortment of premium products from vendors. Among the offerings is 17th & Bark, a collection of top-tier pet goods inspired by the Union Square farmers market. The location also feature the Reddy Shop, which provides an immersive shopping experience where pets and pet parents can explore the latest styles from Petco’s owned brand, Reddy, with fitting stations, a customization table and a lounge area.

Petco also says it features contributions from local LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, women, as well as makers and builders. Among the offerings, consumers will find Hiro Clark’s inaugural pet collection, pet and pet parent apparel by Andrea Caceres, pet portraits by Ben Lenovitz and pet accessories from Lambwolf Collective.

The full-service veterinary hospital, called Vetco Total Care, offers care throughout a pet’s life, including wellness exams, vaccinations, microchipping, dental care, dermatology and surgeries.

At the Ruff’s Barker Shop, which also features a convenient self-wash station, dogs can indulge in premium grooming services customized to their needs. Furthermore, the flagship features an indoor dog training park where certified trainers employ positive reinforcement-based methods to enhance pets’ social, mental, and physical well-being.

In the JustFoodForDogs Kitchen, chefs prepare small-batch, human-grade pet meals using fresh, wholesome ingredients.

The store also hosts year-round cat adoptions and adoption events in collaboration with local animal welfare partners of Petco Love.

Designed With New York in Mind

Nestled within the Tammany Hall building, the Petco Union Square flagship store aims to infuse a sense of local charm. By incorporating green landscapes and blending design and architectural elements from diverse neighborhoods in New York City, the store captures the essence of the park and the atmosphere of an open-air farm market.

According to a recent report by PYMNTS, Petco has embraced the belief that whatever humans need, pets need as well. In Petco’s quarterly earnings call on May 24, the company announced a 20% increase in the number of pets attending veterinary appointments compared to the previous year, underscoring the demand for veterinary services within Petco’s customer base.

A factor in Petco’s success has been the establishment of mobile clinics, expanding veterinary care for a broader range of pet owners. Petco conducted an average of over 1,300 clinics per week, a 22% increase compared to the previous year. These clinics offer fast, affordable, and convenient services, operating during extended hours and weekends to accommodate diverse schedules.

Petco also revealed double-digit growth in both sales and customer numbers for its fresh and frozen products. The partnership with Freshpet, has allowed Petco to gain market share in a rapidly expanding segment.

See also: Meal Kits Go to the Dogs With Petco’s Customizable Freshpet Subscriptions

Simultaneously, Petco also observed a trend of value-conscious behavior, reflected in their preference for Petco’s private-label offerings, such as the brand WholeHearted.

Read more: Petco Gets Paws Deep on Pet Essentials