Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has announced a new partnership with Pawp, a pet telehealth provider, to offer its subscribed members access to veterinary professionals via video or text without an appointment. The deal is available to Walmart+ customers for a year from Tuesday.
The move is in line with Walmart’s strategy to compete better with Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) by rolling out more services and value deals. It also taps into the growing demand for pet telehealth from customers looking for cheaper alternatives due to inflation.
Chewy (NYSE: CHWY) and Petco Health and Wellness Company have also been expanding their telehealth offerings. The pet industry is estimated to be worth $119 billion in 2021.
The Walmart-Pawp deal is a great opportunity for pet owners to access quality veterinary care at an affordable price. It is also a step in the right direction for Walmart as it looks to strengthen its foothold in the e-commerce space.