Have you a passion for animals? Are you great with customers? Would you love to open a physical pet shop? Then perhaps you need some advice on where to start with your search.
There are so many different options for opening your own pet store, and there are many ways to get started. We have put together a basic guide for things you may want to consider before venturing into a small pet business.
Conduct market research in your area
Pet Care in the UK is steadily growing, and it is estimated that owners spent around £1,150 a year on pet supplies.
Market research should be where you start before you embark on any new business venture.
Whilst there is evidence of a surge of pet carers in the UK – 26% own a dog and 24% own a cat (PDSA 2020), it doesn’t necessarily mean that a new pet shop in your area will be a success.
You can start broad by looking at the number of cat and dog population in a region, it might be worth looking at the areas with a higher percentage of pet ownership.
It would be a good idea to first look at how many pet shops are already operating in your local area, and observe their visitors and footfall. Busy local pet shops may indicate that there is enough demand in your local area for another store to open.
Surveying potential customers is also a great way to get feedback in your area. Approaching dog walkers in a pack to answer a few questions can help you gain more insight.
Research & development in pet products and supplies
It is also a good idea to consider what type of pet shop you want to open. You will need to think about what types of products will you be selling and if there is a particular area you wanted to specialize in.
If you want to open a general pet store you will need to research popular pet stores and take note of their product offering. However there are many other pet supplies that you could branch, and you could offer a unique proposition for example:
- Healthy nutritional products for pets such as grain-free, organic, and sustainable ingredients
- Enrichment and entertainment for pets such as toys and boredom busters
- Apparel for pets such as safe and comfortable leads and collars for animals
- Pet products for the home such as beds, houses, and cages
Pet supplies and suppliers
If you looking to sell pet products, you will likely be buying your pet products from several suppliers. There are thousands of operating pet suppliers in the UK with a huge range of products for pets. You will need to carefully research and decide which suppliers and what products you would like to order from them. Signing up to a reputable pet product directory will help you search for different suppliers and get a feel for what is out there. You may also want to consider the following:
- The supply chain and operations, locally sourced, made or produced in the UK or shipped internationally
- Stock, supply, delivery, and a simple way of re-ordering
- Tested products with a track record of customer satisfaction
- Ethical suppliers who offer more than just products, but also donate and support animal care and welfare
Pet services in a pet shop
If you are thinking beyond selling physical pet products you may want to offer an alternative service in dog grooming or pet boarding for example.
Space will be a key factor to determine whether these options are feasible, but both services are a great way to get increase footfall and regular customers through the door.
To open a grooming service in your pet store, you will need to comply with the Animal Activity Licensing (AAL) requirements and all staff must be fully trained and have evidence that they have studied a Level 2 or Level 3 Ofqual regulated qualification in grooming.
Our Level 3 Award Introduction to Dog Grooming is a great qualification that meets the AAL requirements and will provide your staff with the knowledge, confidence, and hands-on experience in preparing, styling and grooming dogs.
Dog Grooming in a pet shop
It might also be worth looking into Dog grooming from a management perspective. The Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming has been developed by professionals in canine care and welfare. This course is ideal if you wanted to gain a broad skill set in dog grooming, gain 25 days of hands-on practical training and learn about real-life scenarios of managing a salon.
You will also need to consider the following:
- Store location, easy access for pet owners to drive to, or walk their pets to the store
- Space for equipment and for staff to operate comfortably and safely
- Areas for pet holding areas whilst they are waiting for their grooming service
- A check-in or reception point so owners can register, drop of their pet and pay for the service
- Budget for dog grooming equipment, training, and insurance
Pet boarding and pet sitting
If you can operate an additional pet service in a large premise then it might be worth considering pet boarding. Pet boarding, also known as ‘Pet Sitting’ is a service offered by kennels and private small animal businesses that look after their pets for short periods of time for a small fee. A pet boarding business is responsible for feeding, walking, entertainment, basic care, enrichment, safety, and rest.
Again, to stay compliant with the animal licensing regulations, workers who will be operating and running the pet boarding facility will need to demonstrate a regulated qualification in that specialised area. The Level 4 Certificate in Professional Pet Sitting, Dog Walking, Dog Day Care and Boarding is a qualification designed to help you obtain these skills and get qualified.
If opening a pet store or pet shop is something you are interested in then look no further than the latest qualification for retail professionals in animal care. The Level 3 award for Pet Care in Retail is an Ofqual regulated qualification designed to teach you the basics of a pet care business and how to care for animals in a retail-related setting.
This course has been tailored to train staff in retail and to educate them on key topics of animal care, animal products and customer service. This course covers 6 in-depth units on the following topics:
- Animals as pets, legislation and regulations
- Animal nutrition and feeding behaviours
- Animal disease, health and hygiene
- Animal accommodation and enrichment
- Purchasing a pet and ongoing aftercare
- Customer services and care in a pet shop
If you would like to discover more training opportunities for small animal businesses and staff, please visit our website for the latest qualifications, courses, and practical training.
Also, if you adore animals, you can keep track of all upcoming animal awareness days and events with our FREE calendar! Download it here.
