Chewy (CHWY)

Founded in 2011, Chewy grew rapidly as pet owners shifted more spending online. PetSmart acquired the business in 2017, and Chewy later became a publicly traded stand-alone company in 2019. The company reports sales across core retail categories as well as pharmacy, veterinary-related services, membership fees, and sponsored advertising. Its pharmacy operations allow customers to fill pet prescriptions and buy health products, adding a healthcare component to a business that initially centered on food and supplies.

Chewy operates in a large and resilient petcare market, where owners often treat pets as family members and make repeat purchases across the animal’s lifetime. Its Autoship subscription-style program is central to the model because it encourages repeat ordering and can improve customer retention in categories that require regular replenishment. The company competes with mass retailers, pet specialty chains, online marketplaces, and direct-to-consumer brands, but its specialization gives it a distinct identity. Chewy’s growth depends on customer loyalty, fulfillment efficiency, product selection, pricing discipline, and its ability to expand beyond retail into higher-value pet health and services.