Boosting my new business

ourwendy

Hello

I have recently just opened a pet shop selling feed and supplies for all types of animals. I've had to start small, so can't just stock the shop full of stuff sadly. It's very slow taking off and I'm a tad worried. I'm just wondering if there are any ideas that people might have that might boost my sales in whatever way. I tried to be come a Hermes agent (parcels being dropped at my shop) but my shop isn't open long enough apparently. So any other suggestions would be greatly received?!

Thank you xx

lincroft1710

Try and get the local paper to do a feature on your new business - especially if it's the only petfood shop in the area. Hopefully free publicity and some new customers.

Opinion

What does your business plan suggest?

Horace

Look for local dog shows/pet shows in your area and offer a prize (it need not be big - it could be a voucher to buy something from your store, if you are clever you could maybe get one of your suppliers to sponsor it).

Do you use social media? Twitter is a good way of broadcasting something new as is Facebook, join groups on Facebook and start liking pages of people with similar interests (dogs, cats, etc) make comments on those pages. Have a Facebook page for your shop too.

Have a launch in your shop to celebrate it opening (again get your suppliers to sponsor it if necessary) - send details to the editor of your local paper.

All this you can do for free. Comment on blogs, set up your own blog and talk about the latest dog lead, cat bowl, fish filter or whatever - you will create interest.

Print off some leaflets and see if your local vet will have a few, make friends with dog trainers (I know I have mentioned dogs a lot but these are the people you need to connect with as they often have other pets too and know others who have pets).

Concentrate on the pets not offering Hermes etc.

weatherlobe

If the premises are big enough why not contact local vets and have certain days/afternoons designated as pet clinics, then people will flock to the shop and as a by - product, purchase feedstuffs etc

Aquamania

ourwendy wrote: »

Hello

I have recently just opened a pet shop selling feed and supplies for all types of animals. I've had to start small, so can't just stock the shop full of stuff sadly. It's very slow taking off and I'm a tad worried. I'm just wondering if there are any ideas that people might have that might boost my sales in whatever way. I tried to be come a Hermes agent (parcels being dropped at my shop) but my shop isn't open long enough apparently. So any other suggestions would be greatly received?!

Thank you xx

Opinion wrote: »

What does your business plan suggest?

Exactly.

Only you are really in a position to establish why your shop is not performing as well as your original business plan suggested.

Maybe it was a flaw in your original plan? (But there should be suggestions included as to how to recover/improve)
Maybe you are not getting the quantity of customers you anticipated. Only you can say why that is. Maybe the shop is in the wrong location? Maybe people are but off by your prices? Maybe people can't find you? Maybe people are not spending as much per visit as you anticipated?

How is your advertising performing? Presumably not as well you hoped either. Again, only you can find the reasons for this and make appropriate changes.

There is a hint in your post that the stock you carry is not what each customer wants, so they are leaving without buying that item? If so, then adjust your stock according to your customer's demands. That doesn't mean carrying more stock, just the right stock for the customers you are attracting.

LushesFaith

the local press one I agree with. Have read about many new small and large businesses in the local paper

Also make use of twitter and Facebook Like page. doesnt always helps but can help if used well

colino

Do a paid feature advertorial in a local, appropriate paper. Think of your catchment area and the type of profitable customers you want to attract. Do not in any circumstances set up their offered regular advertising. All you are buying is a regular invoice.
Small sponsorship of community events, gymkhanas, pet shows, Girl Guides, etc., etc. You want your name and number out there as cheaply as you can.
Approach your suppliers and future potential suppliers. Ask for test batches and sale or return lines. Approach similar businesses (not directly on your patch!) to ask about associate buying in bulk.
Do not set up a delivery service.

DKLS

Do you deliver? Apart from a few bits from Zooplus webshop, the local indy gets my business as they always stock the Cat biscuits I need in 10kg bags which I struggle to find anywhere else and they deliver.

Review your business model as well and look at what you can offer your customers and how you can increase your stock and sales levels. My hermes is a distraction focus on your core business.

Babbawah

I'm tending to think these days that I'll retire one day & probably end up running a pet shop.

When/if I do, it will hopefully become a 'destination' pet shop. Even if I don't & it doesn't, I still reckon I could put all the other local pet shops out of business just because they're mostly run by people who simply do not have a clue.

ladeeda

Run a competition in your local paper and facebook. Everybody thinks their babies and their dogs are the most beautiful, smartest etc so will upload pictures of their animals to facebook. Local papers love animal stories so could easily be persuaded to publish the facebook photo's of, for example, the most distinguished dog, elegant cat, smartest goldfish (I win this one), silliest trick by any animal (as long as you stock produce for that animal). Prizes needn't be big or expensive. Make it fun and interactive.

Good luck