Amazon has a massive product advantage over Walmart.
The online leader offers hundreds of millions of items for next-day or two-day delivery. In fact, because of its supply chain network, Amazon can often get Prime members their orders on a same-day basis.
While Walmart has greatly improved its offerings, it will never offer the same selection as Amazon. Because of that, the brick-and-mortar retail giant has tried to make its paid subscription service a better deal than Amazon's in a number of ways.
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Some of those efforts are a bit suspect. Walmart+ members, for example, get a free subscription to Paramount+. That's arguably a much lesser service than Amazon's Prime Video unless you really like "Star Trek" and old MTV shows.
Walmart (WMT) does sell its premium service at lower cost: $98 a year, or $12.95 a month. Amazon Prime costs $139 a year or $14.99 a month. For people looking for just free shipping and quick order turnaround, that might be enough to tip them to Walmart+ over joining Prime.
To help customers make that decision, Walmart has steadily added benefits to its premium service.
Its latest offer targets household members that Amazon has overlooked. It's an offer that also makes things easier for the account holders, which might lead to someone picking Walmart's service over Amazon's.
Image source: Walmart
Walmart+ adds pet telehealth
Telehealth had its moment during the covid pandemic. Nobody wanted to go to a doctor's office because it meant exposure to other people who were sick.
In many cases, people know what they have and simply need a doctor to verify the diagnosis and write a prescription. Telehealth fixed a key point: Patients saved time addressing routine health issues and doctors could see more people.
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That's a win for everyone. And now Walmart wants to expand telehealth to pets as an added benefit for Walmart+ members.
Walmart has partnered with Pawp, the New York online pet-health-care provider, to offer a new telehealth benefit to the big retailer's pet-owning members.
"Starting later this year, Walmart+ members will have 24/7 virtual access to Pawp’s team of veterinary professionals, providing unparalleled convenience and peace of mind," the retailer said in a statement. "This new benefit provides a free pet health service for Walmart+ members during a time when costs are rising for traditional veterinary services and access to care has become increasingly difficult."
Walmart bets big on pets
As is the case with humans, there are many pet-health-care situations that don't require in-person visits. That's a relief for pet owners, especially cat parents, as it's not always easy to get your pet to the vet. (Smart cats tend to know what's up when you take out the pet carrier.)
Walmart did a pilot program with Pawp in 2023 and it was very successful. And the potential is certainly there: The chain has said that 75% of its members are pet owners.
"The pet telehealth service quickly gained popularity amongst members, boasting a high redemption rate and becoming Walmart+’s most successful limited-time offer of 2023," the company added.
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A Pawp membership usually costs $99 a year and Walmart+ members will get access as part of their membership at no additional cost.
The benefits include a team of veterinarians and licensed veterinary techs hired and trained in-house, each with at least five years of clinical experience. In addition, members have 24/7 access to licensed veterinary professionals via text and video, and unlimited on-demand virtual visits to provide expert advice.
Pawp is not Walmart's only service for pet owners. The chain has made serving pet owners a focus.
"Walmart also offers customers the option to opt into automatic deliveries on frequently purchased pet products for added convenience, an online pet pharmacy program, and a wide assortment of leading pet products," the chain wrote.
Interestingly, the announcement comes just a couple of weeks after Walmart said it would close all 51 of its healthcare centers for people. "We determined there is not a sustainable business model for us to continue," Walmart said.
