How can I set up my own pet store?

Question

Hey,

I was wondering, if possible, how do you start up your own pet store. And what age do you have to be? Can you just tell me basically everything! lol thanks,

Matt

Answer 1

There is a lot of competition out there and you have to find the right niche in order to make it.

Below is something for you to read: If you want a great domain name for a pet store I bought one and I will not be using it. Right me back if you are still interested in seeing what it is.

Are Boutiques Here To Stay?

By Patti Storms

The proliferation of pet boutiques in the United States is a relatively new phenomenon.  Traditionally, supplies for dogs and cats, the

Patti Storms, Retailer

pets most often catered to in a pet boutique, were purchased at the grocery store, independent pet shop, or pet superstore. Larger cities such as New York and Los Angeles may have served an elite clientele with shops offering grooming and high-end retail, but smaller markets typically had no such outlets available.  Beginning with Three Dog Bakery in the 1990s and then with the popularity of the television program called Providence, which featured "The Barkery", pet lovers in the rest of the country were introduced to a new way to buy for their pets.

Specialty boutiques began to appear where high quality items such as crystal embellished collars, dog and cat beds resembling fine furniture, dog clothing that changed with the season, home baked treats, and super premium pet foods were offered.  These boutiques prided themselves on a high level of customer service, often supported local animal charities, and in general changed the face of the traditional pet supply shopping experience.

In 2001 I opened my first store, Well Bred in New Jersey.  Local merchants were thrilled to see a new shop in town, but collectively believed that our doors would close before the end of the year. My second store opened in 2003 and we were joined in the category with other shops popping up every 20 miles or so.  Boutique products flooded the industry trade shows and suddenly everyone wanted to open their own "doggy store." But what would it take to survive in this new classification of pet retail? Would the public continue to embrace the idea of using their discretionary income on non-essential items for their pets? Would a small store with a lovely and homey feel to it be able to address the same level of a pet's need that a larger superstore could? Would pet boutiques be able to compete with the big guys in terms of pricing, volume buying, advertising, and selection?

The answer to all is yes.  And no. The pet industry generates $41 billion dollars a year in revenue. There is room for many different levels and types of services and providers. Boutiques can survive and become a permanent category within the industry by knowing their market inside out and catering specifically to it.

In the past 7 years I have seen or heard of many shops opening and quickly closing.  Without exception those unfortunate entrepreneurs were under-capitalized, poorly located, had products that did not match the market they served, or cared so much about the philanthropic aspect of their business that they forgot first you have to make a profit before money can be given away.

Pet boutiques must conduct themselves with the same level of professionalism as any larger retail operation. In that way we will be able to stay competitive and thrive.  Offering personalized service may not be enough. Crystal collars and beaded dog clothing will not sell in all markets. A boutique which offers one-stop shopping, fair prices, well-merchandised displays, and products appropriate for the market has the greatest chance to survive and grow. Owners must study the industry relentlessly, keeping abreast of all changes and trends, not just those which seem applicable to the small specialty boutique.  We must educate ourselves in proper business practices and face all our challenges with first our most rational business side, and then allow our love for animals to be a tie-breaker when making the tough decisions.  We may not have the buying power of a large chain but we can still capture a profitable corner of this huge industry by doing our homework and working smarter.

In the wake of pet food recalls and the elevation of the pet from furry outside friend to a full-fledged member of the family sleeping in our beds and eating at our tables, the opportunity to provide for pet lovers and consumers shows no end.  What was my small second store is now my only store and about to double in size.  My business model has and always will be to provide a specialty store ambience while providing all the essentials a dog and cat owner requires.  I believe that the category of pet boutique can and will grow.  To that end, I encourage all of us in that segment to focus on business basics—both general and pet related, to work on our businesses rather than in them, and to conduct ourselves in a manner that captures the respect of the industry as a whole.

Good Luck....

Answer 2

Well, first you're going to want to find a location, and either take out a loan to buy that and start up supplies, or take out a loan for a couple months rent plus start up supplies. Then you need to find a wholes saler in your area that sells pet supplies, and another one that sells animals (Usually you need two seperate ones...I've never seen one that carried both). Stock up the store, set the prices, and open for business. Of course...it's a lot more complicated than that if you ever plan to draw a profit (and with a petstore you WON'T...no matter what anyone tells you).

As for age...you have to be 18 to take out a loan. And you have to have stellar credit, or be able to offer up collateral (in this case, it would be the shop).