Advise on struggling business

stacey1981_2

Hi, I know Iv posted this before but really need advise and everyone has been so helpful in the past.

My farthers aquatic shop is really stuggling at the moment, that last two summers have ruined it as he is situated in a garden centre.

Its getting very close to him closing now, (within a few weeks)

Hes run this business for 30 years, is there any advise anyone has how we can get more customers?. The way things are at the moment we understand people wont spend but surely some people are still buying? any ideas would be great, we`r desperate!,

some ideas I have had are longer opening hours to allow people who work all day to buy, ect ,website

thanks in advance

Maysie

hi, has he got himself listed on as many free directories as possible? Then get happy customers to review his business to bump it up rankings Is the business googable? Does he has a website/page with abit of info and pics?

stacey1981_2

Hi, yes hes in most of the directories, we have the website, but we`r not very clever with it, its not showing in any of the searches, iv tried to learn all about SEO and keywords but just find it so confusing,

and the thing with the website is that will take some time which we dont have so we`r going to try and consentrate on getting more customer somehow

Maysie

what about this one
http://www.bttradespace.com/freetojoin/?s_cid=TS_ppc_ogilvy_google_2008_innovation_directory ?


get some very nice friends and family to dress up in local town centre and hand out flyers advertising. If the garden centre is struggling to how about a joint effort?

This one seems to pop up quite high on google
http://www.freeindex.co.uk/categories/entertainment_and_lifestyle/pets_and_animals/aquatic_supplies/

Anglea

Hi Stacey,

What about renting wall and shelving space?

Doesn't necessarily have to be aquatic related as I've seen some unusual combinations in the past. Also seen adverts in hobby magazines for shops wanting to rent their shelves. I know crafters are always on the lookout for places to sell.

I've been into some ordinary small shops that have chairs and offer hot drinks to customers. Also have a box of toys for children. Chairs are always good I think.

studiorex

When you say aquatics are we talking plants or fish?

If it's plants then contacting local landscapers (who help construct ponds) and professional gardeners directly to highlight the range he offers and provide trade discounts, etc. On a marketing and publicity side, it should be an easy sell - given the wet British summer, if you can't beat the rain join it with your own water garden, increase wildlife and a sense of calm into your world....

If it's the latter then he will only have a small market (probably ever decreasing). What he'll need here is to highlight the lifestyle aspect of owning fish. Inventing a story about how, during the credit crunch, people are turning to fish as the second focal point in a room rather than having a fire on or the television blaring, maintenance and upkeep is simple and they're wonderful stress relievers. Sell the lifestyle first then the fish.

stacey1981_2

Thank you, thats a really good idea, he mainly sells fish, Im doing him some flyers to try and hand out, I will say something along those lines

SuperMum2008

What about having a fun day - my kids adore the fish section of any pet shop. You could have a "Finding Nemo" day or something like that - get some craft people involved, sell table space for craft events make it a fun fishy thing - perhaps a spooky Halloween fish-tacular, or a Christmas thing and get starter fish kits for parents to buy their kids? I know sometimes it seems as if you have to lower yourself from where you would like to be, bt at the same time, you have to move with the times and take whatever you can get! Good luck anyway!

DKLS

Not sure about the weather thing, My local garden centre is packed rain or shine, including the aquatics and pet store.

Have you checked the various forums for fishkeeping, it only takes 1 or two disgruntled customers to seriously affect a stores income. Fishkeepers can be very loyal, I have used the same small store for 15 years, and take my business there even if i could save a few quid by buying on line, the owners advice is invaluable.


does he specialise in certain fish? Malawis, Koi, Marine, community etc?
Can he offer RO water?, water testing? as additional services, tank rentals to dentists etc

Apologies if this appears a bit random, just a few thoughts.

The_MoneySavingKid

I don't know if this is useful,but I am sure BusinessLink could help and give useful advice.
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/
Find your local Business Link centre:
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/directory?r.s=h

lopploovoll

Call business link - they offer loads of free advice and are generally excellent.