How to Set Up a Pet Store
Setting up and operating a pet store may be difficult, given the state of the economy (as of early 2010) and competition from large chains. It can be done, though. The allure of small, simple pet shops hasn't really gone away, and for some people, they still hold a certain nostalgic value. If you're interested in setting up your own pet store, there are many things you must do, some of which may be difficult. Patience, expertise, and a solid foundation are all crucial in your quest to be successful.
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Instructions
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Setting up a Pet Store
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Select a good location for your store. It should be a place that gets a lot of traffic, like a shopping center or mall. Since most start-up pet stores struggle with the likes of pet superstores, you should set up in a place that is well-noticed. Make sure the store is properly ventilated, as many animals are sensitive to temperature.
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Divide your store into sections, depending on what type of animal supplies you'll have in stock. For example, you should have one section for dogs, others for cats, for birds, small animals, fish, reptiles and so on.
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Order all of your cages and tanks to display your animals before you actually order the critters. Consult various sources---such as experts or books---to make sure every tank or cage is appropriately set up. Dog crates or cages should be outfitted with water and food bowls.
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Order all of your stock by looking through various wholesale catalogs. Many of these wholesale companies offer bulk discounts on supplies.
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Hire employees based on expertise. Many pet stores hire people who are inexperienced. In the long run, this could cost you business, if they are ill-prepared to take care of any animals you have in stock.
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Tips & Warnings
Market your pet store in local newspapers and phone books to attract business. You may also want to consider starting a website, which can be created quite inexpensively through various companies.
Make sure you start an account with a credit card merchant to process any credit card purchases, as many customers in the modern world prefer using credit or debit cards over cash or checks.
