I really want to open a pet shop!

wilykit

I love animals and would love to start my own pet shop, I just don't have a clue where to start!!!!

japesy

market research first

how much to have a shop
what licence do you need for animals etc
are you qualified, you may need a vet!
what animals would you sell, how much are they, how much can you sell for
do you need to borrow
do you have local competition

my local pet store is combined with the garden centre they sale ponds etc fish, aquarium reptiles etc, bunnys you know the sorts of things
i think as a business it a awful idea, the stock needs constant attention, feeding, certificates of health, not to mention being kept warm/wet/dry/cool maybe even exercised.

dont be put off, maybe go to a pet shop and ask them about it
maybe work there voluntary for a week or so

good luck but with living things it must be a legislative nightmare

wilykit

i don't know if i would want to sell animals, just selling the stock, offering advice and trying to ensure people are doing the best for their pets

wilykit

to be fair, i could research it and try doing it online? saves having to rent a shop etc etc. i don't really want to sell the animals, the only time i would ever sell any animals is when my own pet snakes and geckos breed.

i have 2 spare rooms and could dedicate one of them to it?

lincroft1710

If you're not selling animals you won't be a "pet" shop, you'll be a "petfood" shop. But I agree with your decision not to sell animals.

Apart from specialist tropical fish suppliers, AFAIK all our local independent pet/petfood places seem to have closed down. How would you get potential customers to visit your online business and could you compete with supermarkets/garden centres or established suppliers operating from farms who are selling other products/ranges to maximise their profits. What could you offer they can't?

A retail shop is an horrendous expense. If you go for cheaper tertiary or neighbourhood premises, you have to spend a lot on advertising to attract any possible custom.

What is the situation like in your own area regarding existing pet/petfood stores.

HappyMJ

What luck...My local pet shop (that does not sell live pets) is up for sale... http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-17363517.html

The books look pretty good T/O £200,000 and GP of 32%

DanielFullard

I work in helping people set up thier own companies, sort of, and I can tell you now there is tons of help out there for you if you need it. So much more help for self employed and new companies nowadays than there is help finding a normal job

lincroft1710

HappyMJ wrote: »

What luck...My local pet shop (that does not sell live pets) is up for sale... http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-17363517.html

The books look pretty good T/O £200,000 and GP of 32%

Read carefully and this may not seem to be the opportunity it claims to be:

Owners are "relocating", where and why??

Suitable as family run business - not enough profit to pay proper staff wages?

wilykit

There are no pet shops round near where I live and I have to go a fair way to get stuff and it really is a pain in weather like this, as I can't get my car out!

lincroft1710

wilykit wrote: »

There are no pet shops round near where I live and I have to go a fair way to get stuff and it really is a pain in weather like this, as I can't get my car out!

So there's either a gap in the market or nobody can make a petshop pay where you live.

HappyMJ

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Read carefully and this may not seem to be the opportunity it claims to be:

Owners are "relocating", where and why??

Suitable as family run business - not enough profit to pay proper staff wages?

It is a small business. The owner works there all the time and they employ staff on a part time basis on minimum wages. I would have thought it's a good for £70,000 investment. If I had the money and put it in the bank I'd be lucky to get £2,000 in interest. If I borrowed the entire amount against the house then it would only cost £3,000 per year for a profit of 32% of £200,000 and a full time job. £64,000 per year for what it a relatively unskilled job seems to me to be a good return. Yes GP does not include staff wages so if you did all the hours yourself then it's all yours.