Opening Pet Shop... Stock Advice? :)
Opening Pet Shop... Stock Advice? :)
Author
Discussion

D1on

Original Poster:

814 posts

209 months

Sunday 26th February 2012
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Hi im opening a pet shop at the end of april,
Trying to stock up...
What do you buy in terms of dog food, cat food, fish food, bird food, accesories etc etc.
Anyone got any advice in the pet trade? smile
All Help is Appreciated smile
Thank You.

Jasandjules

71,917 posts

252 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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Why not things like tripe for dogs?
Organic cat food (perhaps even chicken wings?)
Things like hibiscrub.

cal216610

7,839 posts

193 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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The problem with our smaller pet store is that they can't stock everything and have to order bigger bulky items and this becomes a PIA as you tend to go to the like of pets at home or jollys etc and get all you need in one go.
We have rabbits, birds, tortoise, 2 dogs a cat and a marine tank and getting what we need from a smaller pet shop is more hassle than just going to bigger stores.
What does help for us is the knowledge that smaller retailers have of a wider range of pets than the staff of bigger stores who just employ general staff on the whole.
I would recommend having catalouges on display for customers to browse through (like argos type of thing) so you can show items that you don't have in stock but can get.
I know we have used ebay quite a lot recently for dog beds, dog water fountain, bird toys etc so that might also be a way of selling.
chris.

Simpo Two

91,159 posts

288 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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A relative of mine runs a petfood shop/small garden centre and her big moneyspinner is bird seed. She buys it in massive sacks, then transfers it to small plastic jars and sells it at a vast profit. Keen bird-feeders can even mix and match from the sacks. I had no idea so many people fed birds but there's a constant stream of them coming in for it.

CraigMST

9,080 posts

188 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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Sorry to ask a possible silly question but do you have any experience with animals? Especially nutrition wise?

Rouleur

7,352 posts

212 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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Simpo Two said:
A relative of mine runs a petfood shop/small garden centre and her big moneyspinner is bird seed. She buys it in massive sacks, then transfers it to small plastic jars and sells it at a vast profit. Keen bird-feeders can even mix and match from the sacks. I had no idea so many people fed birds but there's a constant stream of them coming in for it.
My local small shop can't get enough of the stuff.

The only thing I'd add is to carry a big selection of dog toys as small shops tend to be pretty poor for these. Oh, and decent tennis balls as 'dog' ones are crap!

D1on

Original Poster:

814 posts

209 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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Been Great help upto now Guys smile
will stock birdseed except maybe put it in bags as opposed to jars,
Be cheaper to buy smile

KelWedge

1,284 posts

208 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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Depends on your local and what animals you are going to feed, Yes Big bags of Wild bird put into bags or bins and then sold by the KG will make you money, also peanuts, nyger etc, Good Dog food dry yes Tins no the supermarkets Take most of that trade, Rabbit and G Pig, If you have not got it someone who can give you Nutrition advice, Beds Toys will get you profit but regular feed/seed sales will get you less profit per sale but more sales.

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