Hey there! With so many options for buying pet supplies online these days, I’m sure you’ve wondered whether retail giants like Amazon and Chewy are connected.
Specifically, you may be asking yourself: does Amazon own Chewy in 2024?
Well friend, let me walk you through all the key details about Chewy’s ownership, history, how it compares to Amazon, and what products you can expect to find on each platform. I’ll also answer some common questions shoppers have about choosing between these two pet ecommerce giants.
By the end, you’ll have all the info you need to decide which is best for your furry (or scaly) friend!
Let’s Start With a Quick Chewy History
Chewy was founded in 2011 by entrepreneur Ryan Cohen and Michael Day as an online pet product retailer. Their goal was to provide fast shipping and competitive prices on pet foods, medications, toys and other supplies.
The company took off quickly, raising over $236 million in funding by 2017. Chewy’s sales revenue grew from $26 million in 2012 to over $2 billion by 2016.
A few key milestones:
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2013 – Chewy expands beyond pet food into meds, toys and more
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2015 – Opens first fulfillment center, growing to 7 centers by 2017
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2016 – Generates over $880 million in sales revenue
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2017 – PetSmart acquires Chewy for $3.35 billion, the largest ecommerce acquisition ever at that time
Today, Chewy ships over 1.5 million packages per day and recorded $8.9 billion in sales in 2021. It remains a subsidiary of PetSmart but operates as its own independent brand.
So in summary – Chewy has experienced massive growth as a stand-alone company and continues to operate that way under PetSmart’s ownership.
Who Actually Owns Chewy Today?
As of 2023, Chewy is still majority owned by PetSmart, which retained 89.5% of the company after acquiring it in 2017.
The remaining 10.5% stake belongs to BC Partners, the private equity firm that acquired PetSmart back in 2014. They invested in Chewy after PetSmart‘s acquisition.
So while Chewy runs as its own entity, PetSmart is still its parent company that holds the controlling share.
This means Amazon does NOT have any ownership stake in Chewy.
Chewy has simply continued its growth trajectory under PetSmart’s backing. Pretty straightforward, right?
Okay, now that we’ve got the ownership status cleared up, let’s look at…
When and Why PetSmart Bought Chewy
PetSmart acquired Chewy.com for a whopping $3.35 billion in May 2017. This value was about 6.5 times Chewy’s 2016 revenue, showing how eager PetSmart was to gain a foothold online.
At the time, PetSmart was struggling against ecommerce competitors while Chewy was rapidly growing sales.
So PetSmart gained:
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An established brand and platform for online sales
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Access to Chewy‘s advanced automation and data analytics
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A huge boost in market share against Amazon and others
PetSmart seems happy with the deal so far. While Chewy operates independently, PetSmart can leverage Chewy‘s data and systems to improve its own ecommerce operations.
Many industry experts saw it as a smart move for PetSmart to acquire such a fast-growing brand. Time will tell if it pays off long-term.
How Do Chewy and Amazon Compare for Shoppers?
Now you might be wondering – how exactly do Chewy and Amazon compare when it comes to shopping for your pet?
While they both sell huge ranges of pet products online at good prices, there are some notable differences:
Product range
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Chewy has a wider selection of prescription medications and pharmacy products.
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Amazon wins for overall variety outside of just pet supplies.
Pricing
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Chewy aims to keep prices consistent.
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Amazon frequently discounts items and runs sales.
Brand focus
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Chewy only sells pet products from partner brands and their own private labels.
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Amazon prioritizes pushing its exclusive brands like AmazonBasics.
Reviews
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Chewy has fewer but more authentic reviews as an expert pet retailer.
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Many Amazon reviews are now thought to be fake or incentivized.
Customer service
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Chewy is known for 24/7 support, personalization and going above-and-beyond.
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Amazon offers basic service but lacks Chewy’s pet expertise.
So in summary:
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Chewy shines for specialized pet products, consistent pricing and superior service.
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Amazon is better for wider general variety, frequent discounts and convenience.
Depending on your priorities as a pet parent, one may be a better fit than the other!
Is Amazon a True Threat to Chewy?
As an ecommerce shopping leader, Amazon has certainly disrupted the retail landscape in many categories. But when it comes to pet supplies, are they really a big threat to specialty retailer Chewy?
Recent industry analysis suggests local independent pet stores are actually a bigger threat to Chewy right now than Amazon.
Why? Because local pet shops can also provide knowledgeable service and expertise. This highlights an area where Chewy will need to differentiate itself beyond just ecommerce convenience.
However, Amazon absolutely remains a force in online pet care shopping that Chewy has to contend with.
Some projections show Amazon capturing 15% of the US pet product market by 2025, compared to Chewy‘s 6% share.
And when looking specifically at the online channel, one study found:
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Amazon – 45% market share
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Chewy – 25% market share
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Others (Walmart, Target, etc) – 30% combined
So Amazon still commands the biggest chunk of all ecommerce pet supply sales. Chewy likely can’t match their largest capabilities and discounts.
But Chewy continues finding ways to stand out through better service, expertise and exclusive brands. Their challenge is keeping shoppers loyal despite Amazon’s convenience.
What Pet Brands Does Amazon Own?
You’re probably wondering – if Amazon doesn’t own Chewy, what pet brands do they own?
While Amazon doesn’t have its own equivalent of Chewy, it has created exclusive private label pet brands including:
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Wag – Amazon‘s brand for dog and cat food, treats, toys, and supplies. Competes with popular names like Purina and Blue Buffalo.
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AmazonBasics – Pet essentials like beds, pens, feeders, grooming tools, training pads, and travel gear.
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Prestige Pet Products – A higher-end line of natural, grain-free pet foods. Comparable to brands like Blue, Wellness, and Taste of the Wild.
So even though it doesn’t have a dedicated pet-focused company like Chewy, Amazon sells its own competitively priced pet products through exclusive brands.
These help Amazon compete directly with Chewy rather than having to share margins with other popular brands. But Chewy still has a big advantage in pet medications that require prescriptions and licensed expertise.
Okay, speaking of products…
What Does Chewy Actually Sell Today?
The best part of researching Chewy is getting to browse the amazing variety of pet supplies they carry! While known best for pet food, Chewy sells SO much more including:
Food
From premium to budget-friendly, Chewy has it all:
- Dry food – kibble, dehydrated
- Wet food – cans, pouches
- Veterinary & prescription diets
- Raw food & freeze-dried
- Treats – dental, jerky, bones
Popular brands: American Journey, Purina, Blue Buffalo, Hills
Healthcare
Keep your pet in tip-top shape with:
- Flea & tick control
- Dewormers
- Joint supplements
- Probiotics
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Antihistamines
- Antibiotics
- Pain relievers
- Heartworm protection
- Ear & eye medications
Grooming
Pamper your furry friend with:
- Shampoos & conditioners
- Nail clippers & files
- Deshedding tools
- Toothbrushes & toothpaste
- Brushes, combs & shedding blades
Toys & Accessories
Enrich their lives with:
- Plush toys
- Balls & fetch toys
- Chew toys
- Puzzles & treat-dispensing toys
- Collars & leashes
- Apparel like shirts, boots, & jackets
- Crates, pens & kennels
- Bowls & feeders
- Litter & waste disposal
And much more across small animals, fish, birds, horses and farm animals too!
Popular brands: Frisco, Kong, Hill‘s, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets
As you can see, Chewy’s product selection goes far beyond typical pet food and treats. Their online shop is like a massive pet superstore!
What About Common Buyer Concerns?
If you’re like most shoppers, you probably have some questions about picking between Chewy and Amazon. Let me address a few of the most common concerns:
1. Is Chewy‘s pricing competitive with Amazon?
Chewy focuses on maintaining consistent everyday low prices rather than constant discounts like Amazon. But they price match on many products and still offer great deals through promotions and bundle discounts. Overall Chewy aims to compete with Amazon on cost.
2. Is it safe to buy medications on Chewy?
Absolutely! Chewy is fully licensed to sell prescription pet meds. Their pharmacy team will contact your vet to authorize refills and new prescriptions. So it‘s 100% legit and safe.
3. How fast is Chewy‘s shipping vs. Amazon?
Both offer speedy shipping – most products ship within 1-2 days. Chewy offers scheduled recurring auto-shipments for convenience as well. For most customers, delivery times will be comparable between the two.
4. Will I get better customer service from Chewy or Amazon?
Hands down Chewy for pet-specific advice and support. Their agents are pet-health trained and the company is known for 24/7 availability and going above and beyond. Amazon still has great general service too.
5. Are reviews reliable on either site?
Chewy‘s reviews will give you a better feel for genuine product quality feedback from pet owners. Many Amazon reviews now appear untrustworthy or paid for.
Hope this helps alleviate any concerns and gives you confidence shopping at either retailer! Let‘s wrap it up…
The Bottom Line: Amazon Doesn‘t Own Chewy in 2024
So in the end, while Amazon has grown into a retail juggernaut, they have NOT added Chewy to their long list of acquisitions.
Chewy continues operating as an independent company focused squarely on pets and their owners. They compete with Amazon primarily in the online channel by providing:
- A wider selection of prescription medications and pharmacy products
- Consistent everyday low pricing
- Superior pet-focused customer service
- Authentic reviews from pet lovers
Now you have the full scoop on Chewy‘s ownership status, history, and how it stands apart from Amazon in 2024 and beyond.
Hopefully this guide gave you all the essential info to decide which online pet supply retailer is right for your own furry family members. Let me know if you have any other questions!
