While Petco was founded in 1965, PetSmart was founded in 1986. Despite the nearly twenty years between the two companies, PetSmart has grown to become the leading pet and pet product retailer in the United States. The difference in size between the two companies is apparent in their number of stores – while Petco has 1500 stores, PetSmart has 1650 across North America. However, it is not based on popularity that determines who is better – instead, we analyzed PetSmart and Petco on five key factors: price, ethical considerations, training options, shipping and returns policies. After taking all these aspects into account, we determined that only PetSmart is better than Petco. ..
Price
Petco and PetSmart sell similar products, with Petco being cheaper in some cases. However, PetSmart offers a wider variety of products at a lesser cost, making it a better value for the customer. In addition, Petco has higher quality services than PetSmart. Overall, the prices of both chains are around the same, so there is no significant difference between them. ..
When you compare the rewards policies for both companies, it seems that PetSmart offers a more beneficial program to customers. At Petco, customers receive one point per dollar spent, which could take a long time to accumulate and could be less beneficial to the customer.
Ethics
Both Petco and PetSmart have wings dedicated to using a share of their profits for charitable purposes. For example, Petco has Petco Love, and PetSmart has PetSmart Charities. These charities work to facilitate animal adoption and fund rehabilitation centers for wounded and distressed animals. ..
Despite the ethical issues between Petco and PetSmart, it is not clear that either company upholds specific ethical principles in practice. The two chains have different ethical practices from store to store, and both companies have been called out by animal rights groups for housing animals in not such safe conditions. In terms of scandals, though, Petco would have to win as it has not caught up in some of the cat and dog-related adoption controversies that PetSmart was embroiled in.
Training
Both Petco and PetSmart offer dog training classes for your puppies. However, the type of services offered varies between stores. For example, Petco offers separation anxiety classes to help teach pets how to be independent, but PetSmart does not have these. On the other hand, Petco offers potty training classes – which are arguably more important – while Petsmart does not. Both companies allow one-on-one sessions, group sessions, and online sessions.
Based on the fact that PetSmart’s dog training classes are less expensive, Petco may not be the best option for you if you have a pet.
Shipping
Both Petco and PetSmart offer free shipping above a specific price point. However, while Petco doesn’t discriminate in terms of which customers can enjoy free shipping, PetSmart only allows members of its ‘Treats’ program to avail of this option. Both companies also allow customers to set up repeat purchases – these are items that are used so frequently by the customer that they’re shipped out at regular intervals without having to order them specially. ..
The shipping policies of both companies are similar, but Petco has to win this one because its policies aren’t as strict and exclusive as PetSmart’s.
Refund Policy
Petco’s returns policy is more lenient than PetSmart’s. You can return products for up to sixty days after purchasing them, but you must have the original receipt. PetSmart, on the other hand, does not require a receipt and allows you to return products for up to ninety days after purchase.
The Verdict
While Petco and PetSmart may have some similarities in pricing, products, and services due to some small but significant leads, PetSmart is a more consumer-friendly company. They have slightly lower prices and better rewards policies, but more stores and a workforce near the customer.
PetSmart has been able to maintain its popularity as a company despite its opening over two decades after Petco. Despite having a much greater revenue and many more locations, PetSmart has been able to keep its prices low and remain efficient.
Chewy is not more popular than PetSmart. Even though Chewy has slightly more products and is a bit cheaper, PetSmart is the largest pet retailer in the world. ..
PetSmart is more extensive and popular than Petco. As a result, PetSmart earns billions of dollars more in revenue, and it also has a far greater number of stores across North America.
Petco and PetSmart both operate in Canada. While there isn’t as much of a store presence in Canada as in the United States, they’re still pretty widely located. ..
The two pet retailers are not the same company. Petco is a public company, while PetSmart is a private company.
