PetSmart facts for kids
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Formerly
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PetFood Warehouse, PETsMART |
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| Private | |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | August 14, 1986 in Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
| Founder | Jim Dougherty |
| Headquarters | Phoenix, Arizona, |
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Number of locations
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1,600+ (2020) |
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Area served
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United States Canada |
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Key people
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J.K. Symancyk (CEO) |
| Products | Pet food, pet supplies |
| Services | Grooming, training, PetsHotel, Doggie Day Camp |
| Revenue |  $7 billion (2020) |
| Owner | BC Partners |
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Number of employees
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56,000 (2020) |
| Divisions | PetSmart Charities |
PetSmart Inc. is a large chain of stores in the United States and Canada. It sells many products for pets, like food and toys. PetSmart also offers services such as pet grooming, training, and places for pets to stay. You can even find small pets like fish and hamsters there.
PetSmart is one of the biggest pet companies in North America. It has over 1,650 stores. Its main competitor is Petco, but it also competes with big stores like Walmart and online shops like Amazon.
Contents
The Story of PetSmart
Starting Out: 1986-1993
PetSmart began in 1986 when Jim and Janice Dougherty had an idea. They wanted to create large stores that sold pet food in bulk at lower prices. The first two stores opened in 1987 in Phoenix, Arizona. They were called PetFood Warehouse.
These early stores were unique because they welcomed customers to bring their pets inside. This was a new idea for retail stores at the time. Soon, they started working with animal groups to host adoption events.
In 1989, the company changed its name to Pet Smart. They also started to make their stores look nicer and more welcoming. They added services like pet grooming and even mobile vet clinics for vaccinations.
By 1992, PetSmart had opened its 50th store. They also started offering their own brands of pet food. In-store obedience training for dogs became available too.
Growing Bigger: 1993-1998
In 1993, PetSmart became a public company. This meant they could sell shares to people, which helped them get more money to grow. They quickly opened more stores across the country.
A very important part of PetSmart started in 1994: PetSmart Charities. This is a non-profit group that helps homeless pets. PetSmart decided not to sell dogs and cats in its stores. Instead, they give space to local animal shelters. These shelters can bring animals to the stores for adoption events. PetSmart Charities has helped over 9 million dogs and cats find homes.
Also in 1994, PetSmart partnered with Banfield Pet Hospital clinics. These clinics started opening inside PetSmart stores. This made it easier for pet owners to get veterinary care.
PetSmart also expanded into selling products through catalogs and online. In 1996, they opened their first stores in Canada. They also tried to expand to the UK, but this did not work out well.
New Ideas and Changes: 1998-2005
After some challenges, a new leader named Phil Francis became CEO in 1998. He focused on making stores better for shoppers. He emphasized good customer service and employee training. He wanted PetSmart to be a "one-stop shop" for all pet needs.
By 1998, PetSmart had opened its 500th store. They also launched a website, Petsmart.com, for online shopping. This helped them compete with new online pet stores.
The company also started to offer more services. They added pet boarding, called PetsHotels, where dogs and cats could stay. Doggie Day Camp, a daycare for dogs, was also tested.
By 2002, PetSmart's business was doing much better. They continued to open many new stores each year. In 2004, they launched the PetPerks loyalty card program. This gave special discounts to loyal customers.
Becoming PetSmart: 2005-Present
In 2005, the company officially changed its name to PetSmart. They focused on the idea of "pet parents" who treat their pets like family members. This rebranding showed that PetSmart was more than just a discount store. It was a place for total pet care.
PetSmart continued to grow, reaching 1000 stores in the U.S. and Canada by 2008. They faced more competition from big stores and online sellers. To stand out, PetSmart focused on its unique products and in-store services.
In 2010, PetSmart started creating exclusive product lines. They partnered with famous brands and people like GNC, Martha Stewart, and Ellen DeGeneres.
In 2015, PetSmart was bought by a group of investors led by BC Partners. This made PetSmart a private company again. To boost its online presence, PetSmart bought the popular online pet store Chewy in 2017. However, Chewy later became a separate company in 2020.
Today, PetSmart continues to be a leading place for pet owners to find everything they need for their furry, feathered, or scaled friends.
Company Leaders
Since it started, many people have led PetSmart. Here are the CEOs who have guided the company:
- W.R. (Ford) Smith (1986–1989)
- Samuel J. Parker (1989–1995)
- Mark Hansen (1995–1997)
- Samuel J. Parker (interim; 1997–1998)
- Phil Francis (1998–2009)
- Bob Moran (2009–2013)
- David Lenhardt (2013–2015)
- Michael J. Massey (2015–2017)
- J.K. Symancyk (2018–present)
