WALMART.COM VERSUS ITS RIVALS
Does Walmart.com offer the same brands and pricing as its pet
supply rivals, such as Petco.com, Petsmart.com and Drsfostersmith.com?
An informal survey in mid-April showed that the retail giant
was taking the same approach online that it has taken in its
stores—competitive pricing, but not always with the same
brands as the other major online players.
For example, Walmart.com doesn’t carry Bio Spot Flea
& Tick Control for Dogs, a pet specialty staple (but does
sell the cat version). Instead, it offers Zodiac Spot On Flea
Control in four-packs, at more or less the same price per
unit as the others sell their Bio Spot three-packs.
Walmart.com’s hooded cat bed, the SmartyKat Deeper
Sleeper by WorldWise Inc., was less expensive than a similar
Petmate bed from Petco.com, a Companion Road product from
Petsmart.com, and Drsfostersmith’s private-label bed.
In aquariums, Walmart.com sells Marineland’s Eclipse
System 12 acrylic kit for $82.76 (although the Web site does
not describe it as a Marineland product). Petco.com and PetsMart.com
sell the same item for $99.99. Drsfostersmith’s price
for the same product is $89.99.
--Jeff Siegel [June 2005 PET AGE]
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