Petco Planned Closure of 15 to 20 Stores in 2026
Pet owners should check for local service changes as Petco transitions its physical footprint through lease expirations.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Pets — General
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Petco announced in March 2026 that it intends to close between 15 and 20 locations throughout the 2026 fiscal year. The move comes as part of a routine business strategy following a period that saw the retailer end 2025 with 1,382 stores.
Why it matters
These closures reflect routine portfolio management rather than a major shift in the pet supply market, where Petco and PetSmart maintain a combined footprint of over 3,000 locations. The adjustments occur as the company balances stable comparable sales growth of 0.6 percent against necessary capital spending projects.
Petco reported second-quarter net income of $38.7 million, a significant increase from $14 million in the same period last year. The firm plans to allocate $140 million toward capital spending throughout fiscal 2026.
The players
Petco
A major national retailer specializing in pet food, supplies, and veterinary services with a footprint of over 1,300 stores.
PetSmart
The primary competitor to Petco that operates a large chain of pet supply stores and grooming centers across the country.
The details
The planned reductions are being managed by allowing existing store leases to reach their natural expiration dates rather than through mass early terminations. This process allows the company to optimize its presence based on individual site performance while maintaining its broader retail network. Petco operates alongside its primary competitor, PetSmart, as the two entities collectively manage over 3,000 pet supply stores nationwide.
Timeline
2025: Petco ended the fiscal year with 1,382 active store locations.
March 11, 2026: The company officially announced plans for store closures.
2026: The fiscal year during which the 15 to 20 identified store closures will occur.
The Home Front
These planned closures follow a long-standing retail portfolio optimization trend designed to streamline operational costs. The decision highlights how major chains manage physical assets to adapt to localized shopping habits and broader market conditions.
If you are a regular Petco shopper, use the company store locator to verify your local shop remains on the active list if you notice unusual inventory gaps or service interruptions. You may also want to compare pricing and pet care service offerings at nearby PetSmart locations if your primary store is affected by a lease expiration.
The takeaway
Retailers routinely adjust their store counts based on lease cycles and regional performance metrics. Keep an eye on signs posted at your local store entrance regarding closures or store-specific transitions.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of pet care services at Pets — General.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Inc..
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