How to Start a Pet Shop Business

Even in the period of the financial crisis Russianslicensing. In order to get a license there must be a
would rather scrimp on themselves than on dumbveterinarian in the store staff, but the veterinarian is
animals.required not only to obtain all essential documents. If
Since we become responsible, forever, for those weassistant veterinarian works in the pet shop, this fact
have tamed.causes customers' trust and pushes up sales.
Pet shops are seemed to be one of few businessesThe third variant of the pet shop is a specialized
which haven't suffered recession. Well-knownstore. If you have experience and knowledge in one
trade-marks such as Pedigree, Chappy, Whiskas,specific area, you can set up a high-specialized shop.
KiteKat indefatigably encourage us from TV screensFor example, aquariums grows in popularity and you
to buy food and toys for our pets.can set up a store specialized exceptionally on toy
The market of pet products is huge and full offish.
prospects.Being engaged in toy fish business, you can sale a
In this article we'll discuss how to open a pet shop.broad range of fish, aquariums, fish food, veterinarian
It is very good if you have your own pets and youpreparations and books on toy fish. The shop
are a regular customer of a pet shop yourself. Thenassistant should be much aware of goods for sale.
you have an idea on what you like in the currentlyYou can also gain an extra income from customs
available shops and what you can improve. Certainly,aquariums manufacture, its installation, designer
the perfect alternative is to have a veterinaryaquarium décor and aquarium service.
education and wide knowledge about pets.If you have chosen a high level of specialization, you
The most simple and low-cost way to start businessshould offer you customers a full complex of
in the pet products sphere is to set up a small shopservices in the given field and provide clients with full
where the choice will include food, grooming productsinformation during sale. Then you can rely on the
and accessories.popularity of the store.
License for such shop set up is not required; its floorThe retail margin in such shops is higher, than in the
space can start from 10 sq. m.wide-range ones, but for the higher price your
It is better to look for the room for such shop in apurchaser gets more qualitative consultations and an
bedroom suburb. If there are no competitors nearby,opportunity to buy unique goods, which are not
you can safely open you own small pet shop. Withavailable in full-range stores.
proper assortment and comparable prices, such shopIf you intend to set up a small store, it is more
will always find its customer.reasonable to start cooperation with only one
Assortment in a small shop should be formed of thesupplier, who has a wide product range even if the
most fast-moving items - these are goods for catsprices are not the best. The larger a projected shop,
and dogs. Such small shops usually pay back within athe more quantity of suppliers it is efficiently to
year; however it is not worth expecting a big gaincooperate with in order to buy goods at the best
from a single shop.price. You can ask the suppliers for recommendations
Traditionally a pet shop owner, who has opened oneon the primary assortment formation. In the
store and has well-proved sale technology, sets upbeginning of the work mistakes in the product range
the next one.are unavoidable, but in few months it will become
An average retail margin in small pet shops amountsclear what products are in demand, what products
to 30%. As for the most demand goods (popularshould be purchased additionally and what should be
food and litters) the margin is less, for rarely soldreturned to the supplier (discuss this option in
items the margin can come up to 200%.advance).
The second variant of a pet shop presupposes aIn any case forming the primary product range your
large range of pet goods, starting from food andshould presume that the assortment should include
finishing with pets on sale. In this format there arefood for cats, dogs, rodents, birds and dry food for
absolutely different requirements to the floor spacefish, litters, grooming products and accessories.
of the shop, its staff and product range selection.If you will sell pets, configure a line of additional
The sales area of the full-range store usually startsproducts which can be purchased along with these
from 70 sq. m. You can find a shop room both in thepets.
center of the city or in a bedroom district. It will beGive your preference to the goods of the
profitable to set up a pet shop attached towell-known producers, which are actively advertised.
veterinaries or not far from it. Payback of such storeDon't try to earn big profits at once, it is better to
is 1-2 years.advice a client more suitable product that more
The product range should be large; in the meanwhileexpensive one. The customer will appreciate it and
it should include goods, which enjoy high demand.will come next time in our shop.
Exclusive and rarely purchased goods should be soldArrange degustation, distribute probes, let your
on request.purchasers know about newly-developed products,
The assortment should include pets, birdcages andcarry our promotion actions.
boxes, toys, there should be a section of veterinaryAll the product range should be properly exhibited on
preparations, vitamins and mineral supplements.display and grouped thematically, price tags should be
You can gain good profit selling pets, but take intolarge.
account that animals can die at mismanagement.If products on request are sold in the shop, the
Wide-range shop assistants should be well-qualified;correspondent information should be easily available
they should perfectly know all the ins and outs aboutfor clients. Colorful catalogues and full information
pets and products for sale.should be provided for such products.
Competent advice is a very important component ofThere should be a good smell in the shop even if
a pet shop success. If an assistant of the shoppets are sold there. See about good microclimate.
recognizes that a customer is inexperienced, heIt is also very important to select the staff of people
should query the client about his pet and help towho really love pets and can give advice to every
make the right choice.customer.
Sale of pet pharmaceutical products is subjected to