What Is Petco Unleashed in 2024? The Neighborhood Pet Store Concept
In 2009, Petco launched a new store concept called Unleashed by Petco to appeal to pet parents seeking a more intimate, boutique-style shopping experience. While Petco operates over 1,500 large-format stores focused heavily on pet supplies and live animals, Unleashed offers a curated, neighborhood feel catered around pets’ everyday needs.
Thirteen years later in 2024, Unleashed has carved out a niche within Petco’s portfolio as their small-but-mighty specialty store. Here’s a closer look at what sets Unleashed apart and how the concept continues evolving.
Unleashed By the Numbers
As of 2023, there are over 65 Unleashed locations across 9 states generating roughly $70 million in annual sales. The average store is around 7,000 square feet compared to 20,000+ for regular Petcos.
Unleashed has achieved strong same-store sales growth of over 15% the past few years. And while Petco hasn’t released specifics, they suggest accelerated expansion plans ahead.
How Unleashed Differs from Petco
While they share a parent company, Unleashed and Petco have distinct differences when it comes to their in-store shopping experiences.
| Petco | Unleashed by Petco | |
|---|---|---|
| Live Animals | Yes | No |
| Store Size | 20,000+ sq ft | ~7,000 sq ft |
| Primary Focus | Supplies & pets | Accessories & services |
| Shopping Vibe | Warehouse feel | Boutique feel |
Beyond not selling live pets, Unleashed stores are more casually merchandised and encourage leisurely browsing versus Petco’s grab-and-go warehouse vibe. They offer a rotating mix of on-trend pet products versus Petco’s vast assortment emphasizing value and convenience.
And Unleashed locations allocate dedicated space for signature features like self-serve dog washing stations – differentiating them within the competitive specialty pet retailer landscape.
Signature Unleashed Offerings & Services
Self-Serve Dog Wash
For $15, pet parents can bathe their pup themselves using professional shampoos, towels, aprons and high-velocity dryers provided. It makes for a convenient and affordable at-home grooming solution.
Doggie Ice Cream & Treat Stations
What dog wouldn’t love complimentary frozen yogurt and free treat samples while strolling the store? These features make Unleashed a more engaging, experiential shopping destination.
Pet Services Hub
From vaccine clinics to training classes, Unleashed stores host regular veterinary and grooming services, giving pet owners a one-stop shop.
Curated Accessories & Gift Selection
Unleashed locations home in on trend-right toys, seasonal apparel and gifts for discerning pet lovers versus the broad assortment at Petco. There is also a wider selection of premium, natural pet foods.
Where You Can Find Unleashed Locations
Currently, California boasts the most Unleashed stores with close to 30 locations concentrated in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. Beyond the Golden State, Unleashed has stores sprinkled across hotspots like New York, Virginia and Texas in addition to a few other coastal states.
Pet parents can find their nearest location using the Unleashed store locator tool. Hours for all stores run from 10AM to 7PM daily.
What Does the Future Hold for Unleashed?
While Petco remainsbullish on the Unleashed concept despite closing a few underperforming locations over the past couple years, they haven’t divulged growth projections.
Industry experts predicts accelerated expansion for Unleashed in 2024 and beyond as Petco further penetrates the neighborhood pet market amid rising consumer spending in the category. We expect to see Unleashed’s boutique-style model mimicked by competitors as well.
So while still small in scale compared to Petco‘s national 1,500+ store fleet, the differentiated Unleashed concept seems primed for growth – bringing elevated pet specialty offerings to communities across the country.
