(Reuters) - Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Inc said on Monday it has signed a deal with pet telehealth provider Pawp to offer the retailer's subscribed members access to veterinary professionals via video or text without an appointment.
Walmart+ customers can use Pawp's services for a year from Tuesday, the top U.S. retailer said, as it looks to tap growing demand for pet telehealth from inflation-hit customers looking for cheaper alternatives.
The deal also lines up with Walmart's push to compete better with Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) on the e-commerce turf by rolling out more services and value deals.
Pet retailer Chewy (NYSE:CHWY) and rival Petco Health and Wellness Company have also been expanding their telehealth offerings. Last year, Petco pegged the value of the pet industry at $119 billion in 2021.
CNBC first reported the news of the Walmart-Pawp deal earlier in the day.