The Current Landscape: Who Owns Chewy and PetSmart?
Recent developments in the pet retail industry have seen significant shifts in ownership structures, influencing how consumers access pet products and services. Chewy, a leading online pet retailer, was acquired by PetSmart in 2017 in a deal valued at approximately $3.35 billion. This strategic move aimed to combine PetSmart’s extensive physical retail presence with Chewy’s robust e-commerce platform, effectively creating a comprehensive pet care empire that bridges online and offline markets (Industry Trend Analysis).
However, the landscape shifted again in 2021 when PetSmart sold a majority stake in Chewy to private equity firms BC Partners and the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. This move allowed PetSmart to focus primarily on its core brick-and-mortar operations, while Chewy continued to function as an independent, rapidly expanding online retailer. Today, Chewy operates as a publicly traded company on NASDAQ, emphasizing its independence from PetSmart and highlighting the evolving ownership dynamics within the industry (NASDAQ – Chewy Public Listing).
Unraveling the Ownership Connection: Is Chewy Part of PetSmart?
Based on current information, Chewy is not owned by PetSmart. While PetSmart initially acquired Chewy in 2017, this relationship lasted until 2019, when Chewy was spun off as a separate company and began publicly trading on NASDAQ. Since then, Chewy has operated autonomously, with no direct ownership ties to PetSmart, which shifted its focus towards physical retail operations (NASDAQ – Chewy Public Listing).
This separation underscores that today, Chewy functions as an independent entity, despite the historic relationship with PetSmart. The strategic sale and subsequent public listing have allowed Chewy to pursue growth initiatives independently, leveraging its e-commerce platform for extensive pet product offerings without direct corporate control by PetSmart (Industry Trend Analysis).
What Pet Owners Need to Know: Impact on Services and Prices
The ownership structure of pet retail giants significantly influences the services available to pet owners and the pricing strategies employed. Private, small-scale breeders and individual owners often emphasize personalized, bespoke services—such as customized grooming, specialized veterinary care, or tailored training sessions—that tend to come at higher costs due to their individualized attention (Industry Trends).
In contrast, corporate ownership—typified by large pet store chains like PetSmart or large-scale breeders—favors standardized services delivered at more consistent and often lower prices. These organizations utilize economies of scale to provide routine health checks, vaccination packages, and grooming services with fixed pricing, making pet care more accessible to a broader consumer base (Industry Trends).
The difference in ownership also affects service diversity—private owners tend to offer more flexible, customized care options, while corporate entities prioritize efficiency and volume. Pet owners can thus choose their preferred service style based on their budget considerations and desired level of personalized attention. Understanding these structural differences enables consumers to make better-informed decisions about where and how they purchase pets and associated services (Industry Trends).
Looking Ahead: The Future of Chewy and PetSmart
The pet retail industry is experiencing rapid evolution, driven by trends that will shape its future trajectory. Sustainability is at the forefront, with both Chewy and PetSmart investing in eco-friendly products, packaging, and practices to appeal to environmentally-conscious consumers (Industry Trends). Additionally, technological innovations are becoming increasingly integrated into the pet care experience, including smart devices for pet monitoring, online customization options, and automated delivery systems.
Future collaborations between major pet retail brands and tech firms are anticipated, leading to advancements such as AI-powered pet care solutions and next-generation logistics technology. These developments are expected to enhance customer convenience, reduce delivery times, and expand product offerings. Industry forecasts highlight that the rising pet ownership rate and the trend towards humanization of pets—viewing them as valued family members—will continue to drive demand for premium and innovative pet products and services (Industry Trends).
Moreover, the effective blending of online and offline retail channels—referred to as omnichannel strategies—will become more sophisticated, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for consumers regardless of how they access the market. These strategic moves and evolving preferences will keep Chewy and PetSmart as dominant players in the pet retail landscape, fueling growth and innovation for years to come (Industry Trends).
