PLTR

**PLTR**

PLTR stands for **Pets.com**, a now-defunct American online retailer that specialized in pet products. Founded in 1999 by **Scott Case** and **Erik Riback**, the company was one of the first major e-commerce ventures to focus exclusively on the pet industry. Its name was derived from the letters of the words "Pet" and "LTR" (short for "letter," a nod to the company’s early reliance on email-based sales).

PLTR initially operated as a mail-order business, selling everything from pet food and toys to accessories. By 2000, it had expanded into a fully online retail model, offering a wide range of products, including grooming supplies, pet clothing, and even novelty items. The company’s growth was rapid, with a significant influx of venture capital funding, particularly from firms like **Sequoia Capital**. Its stock traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol **PLTR** from 2000 until its bankruptcy in 2002.

The company’s rise was fueled by hype and early internet boom optimism, but it faced severe financial challenges. Overstocking inventory, poor financial management, and the broader economic downturn of the early 2000s contributed to its collapse. By late 2001, PLTR filed for bankruptcy protection, and its assets were liquidated. The company’s failure became a cautionary tale about the risks of overvaluing internet-based ventures during the dot-com bubble.

Today, PLTR remains a notable example of a failed e-commerce startup, often cited in discussions about the pitfalls of speculative investment and the limitations of early internet-era business models. While it no longer operates, its legacy persists in the broader history of online retail and tech industry failures.