Forbes contributor Richard Kestenbaum made the case for Chewy buying Petco. Would this hypothetical merger make sense?

Petco is taking a “more strategic” approach to endcap displays. What’s your overall advice on maximizing the use of endcap displays and deciding which products to promote?

Petco customers can get deliveries of pet products via Uber Eats starting today.

Petco has provided an update on its repositioning efforts. How should Petco be communicating “value” when increasingly competing in the pet category against the online reach of Amazon, Chewy, and Walmart?

Petco’s CEO Ron Coughlin stepped down amid downward trends in pet adoptions and as the pet category overall has proved less resistant to macroeconomic pressures than predicted. Should Petco continue, tweak, or abandon its focus on health and wellness?

In 2023, pet adoptions have declined and the pet category has proven to be less resistant to macroeconomic pressures than predicted. What does the pet category’s sales slowdown reveal about the discretionary spending pressures facing the category and the opportunity for premium pet food and care?

Lowe’s is expanding a program to operate Petco in-store shops to nearly 300 locations by year-end after a successful pilot at 15 locations. Why are Petco’s in-store shops working for Lowe’s?

“We’re delighted to be bringing this industry-first offering to market. But it’s not just our merchandise it differentiates us, it’s also our omnichannel delivery capabilities.”

PetSmart has launched PetSmart Veterinary Services (PVS) to help veterinarians open their own practices within the walls of the chain’s stores. Will the franchise model help PetSmart scale its veterinary services more quickly than if it did it when done completely in-house?

Americans may be concerned about rising food and fuel prices, but Petco Health + Wellness Company CEO Ron Coughlin isn’t expecting that worry to have a negative effect on his company’s business. Do you agree that pet products are highly resistant to inflation and an economic downturn?

Lowe’s customers in several states will not only be able to buy products for their household projects in the chain’s stores but can now also shop for dog food and other pet products. Do you expect the Lowe’s/Petco pilot to prove successful and to be scaled to more locations?

For this week’s Christmas Commercial Challenge, Chewy, L.L.Bean, Petco and Petsmart all seek to connect with pet parents through their love for their fur babies. Which one is most effective?

Petco Health and Wellness Company has opened a new concept store designed to give pet parents and their dogs a chance to experience the chain’s private label in a new way.  Do you think the Reddy store concept will be successful enough to warrant further expansion by Petco?

Petco believes its expansive store base not only offers differentiation against its online competitors, including Chewy and Amazon, but will ultimately help accelerate its online growth. How can Petco best tap its large store base as a competitive advantage against Chewy and Amazon?

Walmart announced last week the launch of  Walmart Pet Care, an omnichannel program that offers pet insurance and services such as dog-walking and pet sitting. Can Walmart effectively negate some of the perceived service advantages offered by pet speciality rivals by partnering with third-party providers such as Petplan and Rover?

Health and wellness is a broad opportunity embraced by everyone from CVS to Lululemon and Whole Foods. Petco wants in on the action. Is Petco’s positioning as a health and wellness retailer spot-on or only confusing to consumers?

Petco has opened a “health and wellness kitchen” for pets in a partnership with JustFoodForDogs. What do you think of the expansion opportunity of JustFoodForDogs inside and outside of Petco’s locations?

Petco announced that it is partnering with Target-owned Shipt to expand its same-day delivery options.A Petco spokesperson told RetailWire that the Shipt partnership is in addition to an existing delivery deal with Instacart’s PetcoNow same-day offering. Is the same-day delivery opportunity big enough to warrant that Petco partner with both Shipt and Instacart?

The first four weeks of RetailWire’s Christmas Commercial Challenge has advanced TJX Companies, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Target into the finals. This week, we line up pet category competitors Chewy.com (owned by PetSmart) and Petco. What is your critique of the Christmas spots from Chewy.com and Petco?

Bark, the pet supplies company responsible for BarkBox, announced the launch of its branded BarkPark dog park in Nashville, TN. Do you see BarkPark as a concept that will endure for Bark & Co.?

Amazon.com’s encroachment into pet food sales has been making the big players in brick-and-mortar pet supplies rethink their strategies. Now, Petco is trying its hand at an experiential store concept to get customers through the physical door. What will determine whether Petco’s new concept is a success?

This week’s competition goes to the dogs with two distinctly different spots from Petco and Walgreens. Which chain will join our previous week’s winners in the finals?

A deal to merge with PetSmart didn’t work out, but Petco has found a buyer. CVC Capital Partners (CVC) and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) announced a definitive agreement to acquire the pet specialty retailer and its 1,400+ stores from TPG and Leonard Green & Partners for $4.6 billion. Why do you think omnichannel and e-commerce were emphasized as factors in the decision to purchase by Petco’s soon-to-be new owners?

On March 3rd, Petco held its first-ever Spring Pet Fashion show nationwide. During the event, pets – mostly dogs but a few cats and iguanas as well – scampered down catwalks (dogwalks) across the chains’ 850 stores wearing the latest pet fashion trends. What is your assessment of the opportunity associated with the premium health and luxury segments of the pet products market?