PetSmart
Major North American pet-products and pet-services retailer.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
PetSmart is a major North American specialty retailer focused on pet food, supplies, accessories, companion animals, and pet-care services. The company began in 1986 as PetFood Warehouse, a discount warehouse concept founded by Jim and Janice Dougherty. Its first two stores opened in the Phoenix, Arizona, area in 1987, selling pet food in bulk at low prices. The stores also welcomed customers with their pets, an approach that helped distinguish the early business from conventional supermarkets and general merchandise retailers. The company expanded during the late 1980s and adopted the PetSmart name as it sought new investors and a broader retail identity. Under executive Samuel J. Parker, the chain moved beyond bulk food by improving store layouts, adding pet accessories and supplies, and introducing services such as grooming, mobile veterinary vaccination clinics, obedience training, adoption events, and departments for birds, fish, and small pets. In 1992 it reached 50 stores and recorded its first profit. It also introduced private-label dog and cat foods and increasingly presented its stores as one-stop destinations for pet owners. PetSmart became a public company in 1993, listing on NASDAQ under the symbol PETM. The capital supported rapid national expansion, acquisitions, catalog retail, and international growth. In 1994, the company helped establish PetSmart Charities as an independent nonprofit focused on animal welfare and pet adoption. Rather than selling dogs and cats, stores provided adoption space for shelters and humane organizations. PetSmart also partnered with Banfield Pet Hospital clinics, placing veterinary operations in or near stores. The retailer entered Canada in 1996 and acquired the British chain Pet City, but the United Kingdom expansion proved unsuccessful and was sold to Pets at Home in 1999 at a substantial loss. Rapid growth exposed weaknesses in inventory, distribution, and operating systems. Losses in the late 1990s led to management changes and a return to a more disciplined operating model. Under Phil Francis, who became chief executive in 1998, PetSmart emphasized employee training, customer service, attractive store design, supply-chain efficiency, and a combination of merchandise and services. The business repositioned itself as a one-stop pet-care retailer rather than a bare-bones discount warehouse. Its online, catalog, and store operations were progressively integrated, and the company expanded grooming, training, veterinary care, boarding, and daycare. The early 2000s brought a major store-renovation program and renewed growth. Stores were organized more clearly by type of pet, services received greater prominence, and the company developed a warmer, more accessible retail environment. PetPerks, launched in 2004, added loyalty-based promotions and customer data capabilities. In 2005, the company changed its formal brand presentation from PETsMART to PetSmart and built its marketing around the idea of “pet parents,” reflecting the broader cultural trend of treating pets as family members. The company also highlighted exclusive merchandise, grooming, training, daycare, boarding, veterinary services, and adoption partnerships as differentiators from mass merchants and online sellers. PetSmart expanded its exclusive and licensed product portfolio during the 2010s, including lines associated with GNC, Martha Stewart, Bret Michaels, Toys “R” Us, Marvel, Tommy Bahama, and Ellen DeGeneres. It also slowed the pace of store openings to prioritize productivity and customer experience. In 2015, the company was acquired by a private equity consortium led by BC Partners and ceased to be publicly traded. In 2017, PetSmart acquired online pet-products retailer Chewy as a largely independent subsidiary. Chewy completed an initial public offering in 2019, and PetSmart no longer owned the company by March 2021.
History
PetSmart was incorporated in 1986 under the name Pacific Coast Distributing and was founded by Jim and Janice Dougherty. The founders envisioned a chain of discount pet-food warehouses that could sell food in large quantities at prices below those of traditional pet stores. The first two locations opened in the Phoenix area in 1987 under the PetFood Warehouse name. Five more stores followed in 1988 across Arizona, Colorado, and Texas. Early locations allowed customers to bring pets inside and worked with animal-welfare organizations on fundraising and adoption activities. The business adopted the PetSmart name during its early expansion and recruited retail executive Samuel J. Parker as president and chief executive officer. Parker broadened the assortment beyond bulk food, improved store presentation, and led expansion into the Southwest and California. Grooming, departments for birds, fish, and small animals, mobile veterinary vaccination clinics, private-label foods, obedience training, and adoption-related activities were added during the early 1990s. The chain opened its 50th store and became profitable in 1992. Its strategy was increasingly based on combining merchandise with services so customers could address many pet-care needs during one visit. PetSmart went public on NASDAQ in July 1993 under the ticker PETM. The IPO financed national expansion, acquisitions, and new channels. The company opened its 100th store in 1994 and that year established PetSmart Charities, an independent nonprofit that works with shelters and animal-welfare groups. PetSmart chose not to sell dogs and cats in its stores, instead providing space for adoptable animals and supporting related grants and programs. The company also entered a relationship with Banfield Pet Hospital, placing veterinary clinics in stores and receiving rent and other economic benefits from the arrangement. Catalog retail became part of the business in the mid-1990s. PetSmart entered mail-order catalog sales in 1995 and subsequently assembled pet and equine catalog operations under PetSmart Direct. The company opened its first Canadian stores in 1996 and expanded into the United Kingdom by acquiring Pet City. The British operation was ultimately unsuccessful because of poor financial and operational results, and PetSmart sold it to Pets at Home in late 1999 at a substantial loss. The failed expansion contributed to a decline in profitability and severe pressure on the company's share price around 2000. The company also encountered problems caused by rapid growth and insufficient inventory infrastructure. Mark Hansen succeeded Parker as chief executive in 1995 but left the role in 1997 after losses were reported. Parker returned to lead a “Back to Basics” recovery effort, restoring profitability before stepping down again in 1998. Phil Francis then became chief executive. Francis concentrated on employee training, customer service, store appearance, purchasing, payroll, distribution, inventory control, and supply-chain efficiency. Under his leadership, PetSmart shifted away from a warehouse aesthetic toward smaller, more attractive stores designed around an integrated offer of products and services. PetSmart expanded its digital and service capabilities around the turn of the century. The company created an online operation through a joint venture with Idealab, increased its ownership over time, and acquired the business outright in 2002. It integrated online, catalog, and store marketing and operations. The retailer also remodeled stores, reorganizing them by pet type and emphasizing grooming, training, veterinary services, boarding, and daycare. PetsHotels Plus was acquired and used to develop in-store boarding and daycare concepts. By the 2000s, the company was opening stores rapidly, while also building a loyalty and customer-marketing system through PetPerks, launched in 2004. In 2005 the brand changed its presentation from PETsMART to PetSmart. Marketing centered on “pet parents” and the idea that animals were family members. This supported a shift from discount warehouse retailing toward specialty pet care, exclusive brands, service convenience, and emotional brand engagement. The company exited the equine business in 2007 and continued to add exclusive product collaborations. It reached 1,000 stores in the United States and Canada by 2008. Competition intensified as Petco, Walmart, Target, Amazon, and other retailers expanded their pet offerings. In response, Bob Moran, who became chief executive in 2009, emphasized store productivity, customer focus, and differentiation rather than simply maximizing the rate of new-store openings. Exclusive products and partnerships with brands and personalities helped broaden the assortment, while services remained a central competitive feature. PetSmart was acquired by a BC Partners-led private equity consortium in March 2015. In May 2017 it acquired Chewy, an online pet-products retailer that remained substantially independent. Chewy went public in 2019, and by March 2021 PetSmart no longer owned it. PetSmart continues to operate as a private North American pet retailer with physical stores, online commerce, merchandise, services, and adoption programs.
- 2021
Chewy ownership ends
[1]PetSmart no longer owned Chewy, and the companies operated independently.
- 2019
Chewy IPO
[1]Chewy completed an initial public offering.
- 2017
Chewy acquired
[1]PetSmart acquired online retailer Chewy.
- 2015
Taken private
[1]A consortium led by BC Partners acquired PetSmart.
- 2008
1,000-store milestone
[1]PetSmart reached 1,000 stores in the United States and Canada.
- 2005
Brand renamed PetSmart
[1]The company replaced the PETsMART presentation with PetSmart and repositioned around pet parents and specialty pet care.
- 2004
PetPerks loyalty program launched
[1]PetPerks introduced personalized promotions and customer-loyalty capabilities.
- 2002
Online business integrated
[1]PetSmart acquired its online operation outright and integrated digital, catalog, and store activities.
- 1999
UK operation sold
[1]The unsuccessful British operation was sold to Pets at Home at a substantial loss.
- 1996
Canadian and British expansion
[1]PetSmart opened its first Canadian stores and expanded into the United Kingdom through the acquisition of Pet City.
Products and positioning
A broad-assortment, service-oriented pet-care retailer serving pet parents through stores, e-commerce, exclusive merchandise, grooming, training, daycare, boarding, veterinary relationships, and adoption partnerships.
Pet nutrition · 1987
Pet food
PetSmart's core merchandise includes dry, wet, fresh, prescription, and specialty food for dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, and other small animals. The assortment combines national brands, private-label products, and exclusive lines, allowing the retailer to serve both routine feeding needs and specialized nutritional requirements.
Pet supplies · 1987
Pet supplies and accessories
The retailer sells toys, beds, crates, carriers, collars, leashes, habitats, aquariums, litter products, cleaning supplies, and seasonal accessories. Products are organized largely by animal type and are intended to cover everyday ownership, enrichment, travel, training, and home-care needs.
Pet services · 1992
PetSmart Grooming
Grooming became an important part of PetSmart's transformation from a discount warehouse retailer into a pet-care specialist. Services generally include bathing, brushing, haircuts, nail care, and breed- or coat-specific maintenance, delivered through in-store grooming facilities.
Pet services · 1992
Dog training
PetSmart offers training programs intended to help owners teach basic obedience, manners, and social behaviors. Training supports the company's broader positioning as a provider of ongoing pet-care solutions rather than only a seller of products.
Pet services · 2002
PetsHotel and Doggie Day Camp
PetSmart developed boarding and daycare services for dogs and cats through PetsHotel locations and in-store facilities. Doggie Day Camp added supervised daytime care, extending the retailer's relationship with customers beyond periodic shopping trips.
Pet services · 1990
Veterinary services
PetSmart stores have hosted veterinary services through third-party operators, including Banfield Pet Hospital during an earlier phase of the company's development. Veterinary clinics and other independent operators allow customers to combine routine pet retail with selected medical-care visits.
Animal welfare · 1994
Pet adoption centers
Instead of selling dogs and cats, PetSmart provides store space for adoption centers operated with shelters and humane organizations. The program is supported by PetSmart Charities, which also funds animal-welfare initiatives and grants.
Private-label products · 1992
PetSmart private-label and exclusive merchandise
PetSmart uses private-label and channel-exclusive products to differentiate its assortment from mass merchants and online marketplaces. Historical collaborations have included GNC Pets, Martha Stewart Pets, Bret Michaels, Toys “R” Us, Marvel, Tommy Bahama, and Ellen DeGeneres.
Marketing campaigns
- 2005Pet parents rebranding campaign
United States · Canada
PetSmart used television advertising, refreshed signage, and redesigned stores to appeal to owners who regarded pets as family members.
Outcome. Established the modern emotional and specialty-care positioning of the brand.
- 2001All You Need for the Life of Your Pet
United States · Canada
This campaign expressed the company's broader vision of supplying products and services throughout a pet's life.
Outcome. Reinforced the integrated pet-care strategy.
- 1999One-stop pet-products and services campaign
United States · Canada
PetSmart promoted itself as a single destination for pet products and services, reinforcing the shift away from a warehouse-only discount image.
Outcome. Supported the company's service-led repositioning.
Brand decisions
2017
Acquisition of ChewyM&ABackground
PetSmart sought a stronger position in rapidly expanding online pet commerce.
Action taken
PetSmart acquired Chewy as a largely independent online pet-products subsidiary.
Aftermath
Chewy completed an IPO in 2019 and was no longer owned by PetSmart by March 2021.
2015
Private-equity acquisitionM&ABackground
PetSmart faced increasing competition from specialty retailers, mass merchants, and online sellers.
Action taken
A consortium led by BC Partners acquired the company.
Aftermath
PetSmart became privately held and ceased trading on NASDAQ.
2005
Rebrand around pet parentsStrategyBackground
Competition and changing pet-owner behavior encouraged the company to move beyond a discount warehouse identity.
Action taken
PetSmart changed its brand presentation and emphasized specialty products, exclusive merchandise, services, and the humanization of pets.
Aftermath
The service-oriented PetSmart identity became the foundation for later store, product, and marketing development.
1996
Acquire and rebrand Pet City in the United KingdomM&ABackground
PetSmart sought international expansion after establishing a growing North American store base.
Action taken
The company acquired and renamed the British pet-retail chain Pet City.
Aftermath
The expansion produced poor financial and operational results and was sold to Pets at Home in late 1999 at a substantial loss.
Recent events
Reported
Name-your-price pet adoption special[3]
Brandywine Valley SPCA and PetSmart Charities are offering a pick-your-price adoption special for dogs and cats ages 6 months and older during National Adoption Week, with participating PetSmart stores hosting adoption events in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Reported
PetSmart opens its first Wauwatosa store[4]
PetSmart opened its first store in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, at 11100 W Burleigh St #120.
Reported
Allivet and PetSmart form online pet-pharmacy partnership[5]
Allivet and PetSmart formed a strategic partnership giving PetSmart customers access to online ordering for pet medications, including delivery and auto-ship options.
Reported
Maryland SPCA and PetSmart Charities partner for kitten adoption event[6]
The Maryland SPCA partnered with PetSmart Charities for National Adoption Week, with adoption events hosted at a PetSmart store in Columbia, Maryland.
Reported
Pink Papyrus launches organic cotton leashes in PetSmart stores[7]
Pink Papyrus announced the launch of six organic leashes in PetSmart stores across the United States and Canada; the leashes are also available on PetSmart.com.
Reported
PetSmart Grand Blanc donated stuffed animals to a children's hospital[8]
PetSmart of Grand Blanc donated eight full bags of stuffed animals to children receiving care at Ascension Genesys Hospital as part of PetSmart’s Chance & Friends Holiday Philanthropic Collection.
Sources9 sources
- 1PetSmarten.wikipedia.org
- 2https://petsmart.competsmart.com
- 3宠物领养自定价格优惠活动nbcphiladelphia.com
- 4PetSmart在沃瓦托萨开设首家门店prnewswire.com
- 5Allivet与PetSmart建立线上宠物药房合作prweb.com
- 6马里兰州防止虐待动物协会与 PetSmart Charities 合作举办小猫领养活动wmar2news.com
- 7Pink Papyrus在PetSmart门店推出有机棉牵引绳prweb.com
- 8PetSmart Grand Blanc 向儿童医院捐赠毛绒玩具wcrz.com
- 9PetSmart Opens First Store in Wauwatosa, Wis.prnewswire.com
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