If you have a small pet shop, developing an effective strategy to market the store and improve profits does not have to cost an arm and a leg; or should that be a paw and a leg. There are a number of very creative ideas and options that do not take a lot of cash, what it needs more than anything is imagination, a “never say die” attitude and the ability to think out of the box; all tempered with a dose of good-old common sense.
Start with what you have; what customer base do you want to reach and what are your strength and weaknesses.
The first thing that is genuinely important when operating a pet shop is to make a great impression at all times. When the phone rings, answer it promptly and cautiously, when someone comes through the door remember he is a potential customer, treat him or her as you like to be treated when you walk into a store. Make sure you don’t have any spaces in your shop; find vendors that you can deal with, people who offer wholesale dog collars, flea powder, shampoos, etc.
Any small business has to take every opportunity to brand itself. Being nice to customers is only the half of it, what about the guy on the street that “might” be a customer some day. Make a good impression with everyone you come into contact with, some pet shops have a bad reputation for being not much more than puppy mills, you do not want to be thrown into that category. Visit 2 Hounds Design for more information on collars.
Become the “go to guy” when it comes to pet expertise. The small individually owned shop has significant advantages over national chains and big-box stores as they can purchase wholesale dog collars from the best manufacturers, not the cheapest which is usually the modus operandi of big chain stores. Start your inventory with items that are not available elsewhere, carry unique brands that have a story attached to them; pet owners are notorious for wanting the best for their dogs and other pets.
Get yourself involved in the community; consider getting involved in a school group or local charity, any place where you have the opportunity to do something good, for little or no cost and it allows you to meet all the right people, people who can be great customers once they know you exist. You and your small pet shop are part of the community, get involved and give back; it will pay enormous rewards both personally and for your business.
