Can you help me with pet store ideas?

Question

Hello~
My husband, David & I are working on opening up a pet store by late fall in Northren Ca. We will be carrying everything but, puppies and kittens ( We will be working with rescue groups for these animals). The name we are thinking of is " LITTLE PETS" Other that, we are drawing a blank. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? What would you like to see in a pet store? What kind of layout would make you want to shop? What kind of colors inside and out would you like to see? If you owned it how would you design it? What would you do to make people go " WOW!!" and talk about it to other people?
We will carry fish ( fresh and salt), small animals ( can't sell ferrets or gerbils in CA. it is illegal.) Small birds & reptials.
As far as kids are concerned, it is illegal to sell any pets or pet related items to a child under the age of 18 in Ca. or the store could be fined 2,000.00 per child. Ouch! What would you do about that and still make it "kid friendly"? ideas??

Please answer in great detail. I want to see the store when I close my eyes!! Any suggestions or ideas will be very helpful.

Jennifer
Redding, CA

Answer 1

Your goal is to draw in customers. The longer they stay the more of a chance to sell them something. Contact the local leather guilde. See if someone will help set up a class on making pet collars yourself. Or Have a make your own leash class. How about the local small ceramics shop. Make your own dog bowl. Its a win win. The people pay for the supplies, the other shop owner gets business (firing and supplies) and you get them milling around your shop for TWO DAYS. One to make and one to pick up.

Have a contest for the kids on their pets portrate. Take the flyers to the schools. Must be present to win thing...have their picture and yours in the local paper. They get a free bag of dog food or something special in your store.

Funny this question came up this morning as I woke to a great name ...otc...Not over the counter but on the counter....I thought how great to paint some pictures of my animals...on the counter. What pet person doesn't have THAT problem. Especially if they are like me. kinda messy. I ALWAYS forget to put up the butter! Dang cats LOVES that stuff.

Oh...here is one...DECORATING YOUR FISHES ROOM> See if there is an interior designer school and see if one of the students wants to voleenteer for this event. Heck...write a pamphelt on this...Have a contest on it.

Dang...I wish I was there. How FUN. There are LOTS of ideas. Hope this helps. Please keep me informed. I AM INTERESTED!

Answer 2

I don't know what a BYB is, but I think banning mall pet stores is a good idea. The pet stores can become pet SUPPLY stores - they already have that stock - and like children in the check-out line of stores that have removed the candy shelves from the tempting location - if folk really want a pet, they can seek one from a shelter or breeder.

Answer 3

YES BUT STILL PARENTS BUY BECAUSE THEY WANT TO PLEASE THERE CHILDREN, WHAT CHILDREN ARE DRAWN TO IS BIG COLORFUL SHAPES, IM THINKING PROBABLY IN A BIG PLASTIC DOG STATUE OUTSIDE YOUR SHOPS DOOR. AND TO KEEP PEOPLE LONG ENOUGH INSIDE YOUR ESTABLISHMENT, YOU SHOULD GET TV SETS SO THAT YOU CAN PLAY INTERESTING SHORT VIDEOS OF ANIMALS AND ALSO SHORT CHAPTERS OF CARTOONS WHERE MOSTLY THE CHARACTERS ARE ANIMALS THAT SPEAK AND ACT LIKE HUMANS. MAYBE ALSO HAVE CHILDREN FURNITURE, LITTLE CHAIRS WHERE THEY CAN SIT DOWN IN A WAY THAT THEY CAN WATCH THE TV WHILE THEIR PARENTS LOOK AT THE PETS YOU SELL, AND HAVE SPECIAL PERSONNEL TO ATTEND THE CHILDREN WHILE OTHER PERSONNEL TAKES CARE OF THE CUSTOMERS THAT IS THE PARENTS OF THE KIDS. AND ALSO TRY TO DRESS UP LIKE IF YOUR WERE HUNTERS THAT JUST ARRIVED FROM AN AFRICAN SAFARI, KIDS LOVE THIS ADVENTUREOUS FIGURES.