PetSmart to Close Its Only San Francisco Location

In San Francisco, pet owners are set to lose one of their key shopping spots with the upcoming closure of the city’s sole PetSmart store. Scheduled for July 19th, this store is located in the City Center Shopping Center on Geary Blvd.

PetSmart confirmed the closure via an email to SFGate, stating that the company remains “committed to serving pet parents across San Francisco.” They also noted that nearby PetSmart locations, like the one in Daly City, will still be accessible, alongside online shopping options with delivery services.

The San Francisco PetSmart store, which has offered both grooming and boarding services previously, will no longer provide these but will still facilitate pet training and adoption services, per their website. As part of their transition plan, the company is enhancing the Daly City store’s capabilities to better meet local needs.

Employees affected by the closure will receive resources and information about job opportunities at nearby stores, easing the change for them.

The decision to shut down this location is attributed to “many factors” including a shift toward online shopping and delivery services like AutoShip, prompting PetSmart to adapt its business model for current consumer preferences.

The impact on San Francisco’s retail landscape is noticeable, as it follows a trend of closures affecting various major brands, with many others having closed locations across the city.

PetSmart, acquired by BC Partners in 2015 for $8.7 billion, had previously purchased e-commerce rival Chewy in 2017. Recent moves, however, indicate a strategic separation from Chewy by BC Partners in 2023.