PetSmart Closing California Store Amid Online Retailer Surge
The pet retail giant will shutter its Sacramento location on November 22, continuing a trend of brick-and-mortar downsizing in the face of e-commerce competition.
PetSmart has announced the closure of its Sacramento store located at 2705 E. Bidwell St., with the final day of operation set for November 22. This closure follows the company's departure from San Francisco earlier this year, marking its last store in the city in July.
Despite the closure, PetSmart stated that customers in the Sacramento area will still be able to access services at its Folsom – Iron Point store, situated approximately one mile away. The company also emphasized its online shopping platform, which offers convenient delivery options.
A spokesperson for PetSmart previously indicated that the shift in consumer behavior, with an increasing number of customers opting for online ordering and autoship services, influenced decisions regarding store presence in areas like the Bay Area. The company aims to adapt its service model to meet these evolving shopping habits.
The Sacramento store closure comes as traditional brick-and-mortar pet retailers face increasing competition from online giants such as Chewy. This trend has led to a broader downsizing within the sector. Petco, for instance, has closed 25 stores in 2024 and plans to close an additional two dozen locations in 2025. Similarly, Tractor Supply's Petsense division announced in July that it would close 75 of its 208 locations due to underperformance.
Analysts note that the convenience of online shopping for routine pet supplies like food and litter diminishes the need for physical store visits. This shift not only impacts recurring purchases but also reduces opportunities for impulse buys of other products during a store visit. PetSmart, founded in 1987, currently operates over 1,600 stores across North America, with more than 150 locations remaining in California following the Sacramento closure.