Opening a pet supply store has its own specifics. The list of documents differs from what is required to launch a regular retail outlet. In this article we will figure out how to collect a complete package of documents and register your business correctly.

What documents are needed to open a pet store: making a list

The first thing to do is register a pet supply store as an individual entrepreneur or LLC. The choice of form of activity depends on the scale of the business. For a department in a shopping center or a small stationary store, it is enough to register an individual entrepreneur; if you plan to open a larger retail outlet, choose an LLC.

Select OKVED code

For both forms of activity you will need to indicate OKVED codes. Choose the codes you need based on the assortment of the outlet. According to the latest updates to the classifier, the following are suitable:

• 47.76.2 Retail trade of pets and pet food in specialized stores
• 46.11 Activities of agents in the wholesale trade of agricultural raw materials, live animals, textile raw materials and semi-finished products
• 46.19 Activities of agents in wholesale trade of a universal assortment of goods
• 46.21 Wholesale trade in grain, unprocessed tobacco, seeds and feed for farm animals
• 47.19 Other retail trade in non-specialized stores
• 47.73 Retail sale of medicines in specialized stores (pharmacies)
• 47.74 Retail trade of products used for medical purposes, orthopedic products in specialized stores
• 47.78 Other retail trade in specialized stores
• 47.89 Retail trade in non-stationary retail facilities and markets of other goods
• 47.91 Retail trade by mail or via the Internet information and communication network

We issue additional permits and licenses

You have registered your business. In order for trading activities to be legal, it is necessary to obtain a number of documents. The specific list depends on the products presented in the store.

• If you sell medicines for animals, flea collars and medicated food, you will need to obtain a pharmaceutical license.
• To sell animals you will need a veterinary certificate and other permits issued by Public administration Veterinary Administration (local authority).
• Permission from the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station and the Fire Department.
• A patent from the licensing chamber is not needed for this type of activity.

How to choose a store premises

The main thing here is location. It’s good if the premises are located near the metro and there are residential buildings nearby. An excellent option is on the ground floor of a residential building or in a visited shopping center. With proper advertising and a good range of products, you can win the trust of animal owners and develop a customer base.

The area of ​​the premises for a pet store must be at least 50 - 70 m². If you do not plan to rent a warehouse separately, you will additionally need space for storing goods (10 - 20 m²).

When selling animals, you will need a room of 150 m². This way you can divide it into zones: food, medicine, related products and enclosures and aquariums.

How much does it cost to open a pet store from scratch: rough calculations

• Paperwork
• Renting premises and renovating them
• Purchase of equipment and display cases
• Purchase of goods. If you plan to sell animals, also for their maintenance
• Salary to employees
• Advertising

On average, at the initial stage you will need 2,000,000 - 3,000,000 rubles. If you plan to create a website and promote it in search engines, the costs will be higher.

The pet products industry has made huge strides over the past three decades. More recently, people laid newspapers in trays and fed their pets porridge, but today on the shelves of pet stores you can find a wide variety of products - from complete food to claw pads. And what is typical is that the demand for these products is only growing.

Why do aspiring entrepreneurs want to learn how to open a pet store from scratch? The main reason is the size of the market: half of Russian citizens have one or more animals. If we take into account that in Moscow, for example, the average owner spends up to four thousand rubles monthly, then you can fairly reliably assess the prospects and benefits of this business.

Business Features

Of course, food, fillers and accessories for animals cannot be considered essential goods. However, experience shows that owners also cannot do without them: if their financial situation worsens, they would rather deny themselves another new thing than buy a cheap or low-quality product for their pet.

At the same time, people rarely go to the other end of the city to buy the same food: the majority of citizens buy such goods in stores with a wide range of products, conveniently located nearby. The choice is also influenced by the qualifications of the store’s employees, the opportunity to receive professional advice and the availability of the most popular medications for sale. Thus, modern consumers more often prefer a format that allows them to solve all their problems in one place.

In addition to the significant market volume and high demand, the interest of entrepreneurs in selling pet products is explained by other important advantages:

• Considering how much it costs to open a pet store, this business can be considered one of the most accessible types of trading activity for beginners;
• Despite the abundance of similar retail outlets, almost every city has areas where it is profitable to place another store;
• The economic situation has virtually no effect on demand. Cats and dogs want to eat regardless of stock prices or exchange rates;
• To sell feed, fillers and other consumer goods, you do not need to obtain any permits or licenses;
• For an animal lover, this business brings not only material satisfaction, but also aesthetic pleasure.

At the same time, this business is also not without its shortcomings. An entrepreneur should know what difficulties he may encounter:

• To create a profitable retail outlet, you need to sincerely love animals, have special knowledge and experience in keeping pets;
• On the question of how to open a pet store, the step-by-step instructions recommend hiring equally passionate people as sellers. They are not easy to find;
• The business is characterized by low profitability and high sensitivity to the amount of the average check. Any mistakes instantly lead to losses.

Which pet store format should you choose?

“I want to open a pet store, where to start?” In search of an answer to this question, an entrepreneur must first of all assess his strengths and material capabilities: existing formats of outlets differ significantly in scale, capital intensity and complexity of doing business. They are classified as follows:

1. Stall. It is advantageous to install such a retail outlet on busy streets, near bus stops, especially if there are no permanent buildings nearby for a store. Due to lack of space, the assortment consists only of popular products;
2. Convenience store. It is best to open a small pet store somewhere in a residential area, on the route of traffic local residents. The assortment includes several common types of food, fillers, shampoos, and some accessories;
3. Supermarket. Looks like a full-fledged open supermarket with a wide range of products. It is believed that this format is relevant only for large cities with a population of more than 1 million people;
4. Full-format store. Here you can find food of all categories, hygiene products, various accessories for cats and dogs, products for aquarists and rodent owners, as well as animals, birds and fish themselves;
5. Zoological Center. If resources allow, a businessman can concentrate in one place all types of goods and services for pets - a store, clinic, veterinary pharmacy, beauty salon, hotel;
6. Special shop. In large cities, where there are many owners of one type of animal, you can open a specialized store in which only these pets and goods for their maintenance will be presented;
7. Online store. Businessmen with little capital, as a rule, want to open an online pet store from scratch. But animals cannot be sold through the website, and the sale of medicines requires a license for a real retail outlet.

Pet store assortment

What to sell at a pet store? It all depends on the location of the outlet and its size: it is clear that in a stall on the outskirts only popular goods will be in demand. If a businessman is going to open a medium-sized store and expects an intense flow of customers, he should include the following items in the assortment:

1. Products for dogs:

• Toys, balls, bones, flying saucers;
• Clothes and shoes;
• Treats, cookies, bones, sticks, teeth cleaning treats;
• Vitamins and food supplements;
• Carriers, houses, beds, mattresses;
• Cosmetics, shampoos, combs, trimmers, scissors, nail clippers;
• Bowls, feeders;
• Diapers, diapers, hygiene bags;
• Collars, leashes, muzzles, harnesses, medallions.

2. Products for cats:

• Dry, wet, medicinal, canned food;
• Trays, fillers, scoops, diapers, repellents;
• Toys, mice, balls;
• Treats, pillows;
• Vitamins and food supplements;
• Cosmetics, shampoos, combs, slickers, trimmers, nail clippers;
• Houses, sun beds, play complexes, scratching posts, carriers;
• Bowls, feeders, automatic feeders;
• Medicines and remedies for fleas, ticks, worms;
• Collars, harnesses.

3. Products for birds:

• Food for parrots, canaries;
• Toys, swings, mirrors;
• Treats, mineral stones, vitamins, sand and gravel;
• Cages, feeders, drinking bowls.

4. Products for rodents:

• Food for squirrels, rabbits, rats and mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, ferrets, degus;
• Toys, wheels, balls;
• Treats, cereal sticks;
• Fillers, sawdust, hay, sand, trays;
• Cages, houses, drinking bowls and feeders, bowls, bathing tubs.

5. Products for fish, lizards and turtles:

• Everyday food for reptiles;
• Aquariums, terrariums;
• Compressors, thermometers, heaters, lamps, filters;
• Water care products;
• Soil, stones, decorative figures;
• Books and reference books, CDs with materials about animals.

When compiling an assortment, you need to think carefully about the advisability of introducing animals into it. First of all, these sales will be sporadic in nature, and therefore they will not bring significant profits. In addition, the trade in hamsters, fish and birds is characterized by high risks associated with the possibility of illness and even death of pets. Finally, in this case it will not be possible to open a pet store from scratch with minimal investment, since special equipment for keeping animals is ten times more expensive than ordinary storefronts. But if the entrepreneur is not afraid of these difficulties, it is better to limit himself to the most common pets - such as:

• Puppies and kittens of different breeds;
• Hamsters, rats, Guinea pigs, chinchillas;
• Canaries, budgies;
• Freshwater aquarium fish, turtles.

How to register a pet store?

Engaging in trade in Russia is permitted only after registering the enterprise with the tax authorities and insurance funds. The form of ownership should be determined before opening a pet store: step-by-step instructions recommend simplifying this task and giving preference to individual entrepreneurs. If the business idea does not involve the provision of veterinary services or animal grooming, you need to select the following OKVED codes:

OKVED codes for pet store

The choice of taxation system can significantly affect whether it is profitable to open your own pet store from scratch: with low business profitability, you have to save every ruble. The following options are available to the entrepreneur:

• UTII. Allowed for objects up to 150 m². Tax amount - 1450 rubles;
• PSN. Allowed for objects up to 50 m². Tax amount - 5000 rubles;
• USN. For a store with a turnover of 1 million rubles, the tax amount is about 15,000 rubles.

After receiving the SPD registration certificate, you should start preparing the accompanying documentation. What you need to open a pet store:

1. Permission to locate a store from Rospotrebnadzor;
2. Conclusion of Rospotrebnadzor on compliance with sanitary rules;
3. Conclusion of the State Fire Safety Inspectorate on compliance with fire safety regulations;
4. Permission to locate a store from the local administration;
5. Production control program;
6. Agreements on sanitary treatment of premises;
7. Agreements on sanitary treatment of ventilation;
8. Agreements on waste removal and lamp recycling;
9. Agreement on washing work clothes.

You will not need any other documents to sell food, accessories and fillers. But the state controls the sale of any types of pets more strictly:

• For animals purchased in the city, a veterinary certificate in form No. 4 is required;
• For those brought from other regions - veterinary certificate No. 1.

What else might an entrepreneur who is planning to open a business encounter: a pet store, whose assortment includes medicines, medicated shampoos, flea and tick remedies, and preparations for strengthening hair and claws, will have to be licensed. Among other things, to obtain a license, an entrepreneur or director of an LLC must have a diploma as a pharmacist or veterinarian, as well as work experience in the profession for more than three years. The document has a validity period of five years and costs 7,500 rubles.

Where is the best place to open a pet store?

If an entrepreneur is not going to open an online pet store from scratch, then he will definitely need a well-located premises. For large retail outlets with a wide range of goods and animals themselves, it is advisable to choose a location closer to the center: firstly, the traffic here is much more intense, and secondly, for the sake of good food or a rare pet, people are often willing to come from the outskirts.

There is no doubt about whether it is worth opening a pet store in a residential area: many clients try to buy everyday food, fillers and other little things closer to home. Of course, we are not talking about premises in the depths of the block: here you also need to look for places with high traffic. For example:

• On the road from stops and metro stations to residential buildings;
• Next door to veterinary clinics;
• Near large shopping centers and supermarkets;
• At the entrance to the local market.

Finally, it is advisable to consider the prospects of opening a pet store in a local shopping center. The rental price here is slightly higher, but the outlet has a constant flow of potential buyers. In addition, the entrepreneur will not have to spend time and money preparing the premises for work.

How to prepare the room?

Most likely, the room will have to be tidied up. An exquisite design for a pet store is not needed, since every free meter here will be occupied by goods. But at the same time, the retail space should look cozy and comfortable, and therefore it is better to use pastel shades and natural materials in the decoration of the hall.

For a small pet store in the “At Home” format, an area of ​​50 m² is sufficient. When arranging the premises, you should remember not only the standard requirements for retail outlets, but also the specifics of the business selling pet supplies. What you need to open a pet store:

• The room must have a separate entrance. If its area exceeds 100 m², a second emergency exit will also be needed;
• An undoubted advantage for promoting a retail outlet is the presence of large display windows;
• Like any retail facility, a pet store must have a warehouse and a bathroom for employees;
• To eliminate unpleasant odors, store ventilation must ensure at least five times the air exchange in the room within an hour;
• If animals are kept in the hall, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of maintaining a normal temperature in the event of a sudden shutdown of heating;
• When trading animals, the optimal illumination level is 200 lux. Light that is too bright can cause discomfort for pets.

Pet shop equipment

The assortment largely determines how much money you need to open a pet store: to sell food, fillers and accessories, a standard commercial equipment, while selling animals requires the purchase of expensive aquarium stands and cage batteries with microclimate control. So, if the store only offers products for pets and common medications, the entrepreneur will have to purchase:

Pet store equipment

Position	price, rub.	Quantity, pcs.	Amount, rub.
Retail store equipment
Metal rack	4900	6	29400
Perforated rack	3300	4	13200
Rack hooks	15	50	750
Economy panel	1900	4	7600
Brackets for economy panels	110	50	5500
Glass showcase	9600	4	38400
Glass counter	7100	8	56800
Seller's counter	5600	2	11200
Scales	2100	1	2100
Refrigerator for drugs	19500	1	19500
Other small equipment	5000	1	5000
Office equipment
Computer	22600	1	22600
Multifunction device	10600	1	10600
Telephone	1400	1	1400
Online cash register	13500	2	27000
POS terminal	28500	1	28500
Other equipment
Security alarm	23500	1	23500
Fire alarm	22500	1	22500
Fire extinguisher	2800	2	5600
CCTV	17900	1	17900
Ventilation	43500	1	43500
Air conditioner	32000	1	32000
Recreation room furniture	5000	1	5000
Wardrobe	3600	1	3600
Filing Cabinets	3700	1	3700
Microwave	3500	1	3500
Electric kettle	1900	1	1900
Buyer's Corner	2700	1	2700
Bathroom equipment	16500	1	16500
A uniform	1000	4	4000
Warehouse rack	3500	1	3500
Stationery	–	–	6000
Total:			474950

Pet store workers

No entrepreneur will be able to work with suppliers, solve administrative issues and trade at the same time. Therefore, before opening a pet store from scratch, the instructions advise hiring several employees, including:

• Salesman. Receives and releases goods, makes payments to suppliers' agents and buyers, puts products on display;
• Shop assistant. Thanks to veterinary education, he can select medications for the client and talk about the intricacies of keeping and treating pets;
• Cleaning woman. Ensures the cleanliness of the store, tidying shelves and display cases if necessary;
• Accountant. With a small turnover, an entrepreneur can use online services or invite a part-time specialist.

Of course, sellers must be honest, friendly, and sociable. But, in addition, each of them must treat animals well, and, if possible, have skills in keeping pets. To organize a shift work schedule, a small pet store will need:

Pet store employees

Products and suppliers

By the time the pet store opens, it should be filled with goods. It is not necessary to fill storage areas with feed and fillers, but there should be no empty spaces on display cases. Where you can purchase products:

1. At local wholesale stores;
2. From local trading companies;
3. From official distributors;
4. From suppliers from other regions via the Internet;
5. Directly from the manufacturers.

Obviously, contracts with wholesale companies need to be concluded before opening a pet store: the Internet, specialized publications and directories can make the task of finding their contacts easier. It is more profitable for a small point to cooperate with a couple of suppliers offering a wide range: this makes it easier to select the required volume of goods and get a discount. A large store should have several partners - this will allow you to find Better conditions supplies and best prices.

Manufacturers will have the best price offers. If you can’t reach an agreement with them directly, you can look for their representatives in the city. The main suppliers of the store will be distributors Mars and Nestle: their range includes dozens of brands of well-known and popular food.

It is advisable to purchase animals from nurseries in your own and neighboring cities: here the businessman will be provided with everything Required documents. In addition, you can accept pets for sale from local breeders and those who like to breed fish, birds, hamsters, rabbits, cats and dogs.

How to attract customers to a pet store?

Suppose an entrepreneur decided: “I want to open a pet store,” found a suitable premises, registered the business and even managed to purchase goods. After this, he will have to solve another important task - to attract customers to his outlet. In order not to waste money, you need to think carefully about the store’s advertising campaign. What tools can you use:

1. Come up with an interesting name. It should be funny, memorable, and clearly hint at the profile of the pet store;
2. Install an illuminated sign that is visible from afar. In addition to the name, it can depict stylized silhouettes of animals or their paw prints;
3. Add a pillar to the sign. There is no need to mention half of the assortment on it - just a couple of names of promotional products and a picture with an animal;
4. Design window displays. It is worth placing bright (but not tasteless) banners on them. If the store has aquariums or cages, you can place them near the window;
5. Organize a celebratory opening. To make this day memorable for local residents, you can hold a promotion, organize a lottery or present gifts;
6. Post advertisements in the elevators of neighboring buildings. In order not to damage property, you should contact an advertising agency that has the appropriate permission;
7. Distribute leaflets and flyers. Materials should be distributed on busy streets near the store. You can also put them in mailboxes;
8. A retail outlet website is not needed. But if the owner delivers goods to his home, he will need;
9. It is also not necessary to create groups on social networks. On the other hand, this tool is free, and therefore should not be neglected;
10. Be active on city forums and in local communities. In this case, you will have to gain authority among visitors by advising them on various issues;
11. Organize promotions and sales. To prevent these events from going in vain, you need to notify local residents about them in advance by all available means.

How much does it cost to open a pet store?

How much does it cost to open a pet store from scratch? It all depends on the size of the outlet and the price category of the goods presented in it. The most significant expenses for an entrepreneur will be associated with the formation of inventory:

Investing in a pet store

To reliably find out whether it is profitable to open your own pet store from scratch, you also need to estimate the regular monthly costs of the business:

Regular pet store expenses

Pet store profitability

When planning to open a pet store from scratch, you need to find out the capacity of the local market. In this case, the entrepreneur will find it useful. Below are calculations for a specific situation:

• You need to count how many families live within a 1 km radius of the store. Let's say there are 12 nine-story buildings nearby with 216 apartments in each;
• We can roughly assume that one family lives in one apartment. Means, we're talking about about a population of 2592 families;
• According to statistics, 55% of citizens keep animals. Therefore, the number of potential buyers is 1425 families;
• Among them, 25% are pensioners who feed the animals porridge and tear newspapers into trays. Excluding these thrifty owners, the county would be left with 1,070 families;
• To exclude those who purchase food in supermarkets or online, you need to divide this number in half. There will be 535 potential clients left;
• According to the same statistics, the average owner spends 1,700–2,100 rubles per month on a pet. Therefore, the expected revenue of the store will be 1,016,500 rubles.

How to determine whether it is profitable to open a pet store in a given area? To do this, you will have to calculate the approximate sales volumes for each product category:

Pet store monthly sales

Category	Markup, %	Share of sales, %	Turnover, rub.	Expenses, rub.	Profit, rub.
Stern	30	55	559075	430058	129017
Fillers	50	20	203300	135533	67767
Care products	60	10	101650	63531	38119
Medicines	80	10	101650	56472	45178
Accessories	100	5	50825	25413	25413
Total:		100	1016500	711007	305493

Knowing how much it costs to open a pet store from scratch, you can calculate the expected profitability of the business and estimate the payback period of the investment:

Payback for a pet store

Pet store franchises

For a newbie, navigating the pet supply market on your own can be challenging. In this case, he will need the support of experienced entrepreneurs, which the purchase of a franchise implies. The terms of cooperation include:

• The right to work under a well-known trademark;
• Recommendations on how to open a pet store from scratch, business plan;
• Agreements with reliable suppliers or direct deliveries from the franchisor;
• Assistance in the selection and design of premises;
• A detailed guide to advertising and corporate identity;
• Mention in general advertising campaigns of the franchisor;
• Training franchisee employees on trade rules;
• Assistance in obtaining licenses and other documents.

How profitable is it to open a pet store as a franchise? The most popular franchise offers on the Russian market have the following characteristics:

Popular pet store franchises

Name	Investments, rub.	First installment, rub.	Royalty, rub.	Payback
Beethoven	4500000–8000000	170000	No	12 months
Le'Murrr	700000–2700000	90000	No	12 months
Petburg	from 790000	95000–195000	No	12 months
Four paws	2500000–5000000	500000	100000	18 months

Conclusion

Opening a pet store is not in the top ten the best ways, . However, this type of business will allow the entrepreneur to do what he loves and enjoy working with animals. As for profit, its size directly depends on whether the store has competitive advantages that are important for customers. These could be:

1. Wide range, including items not available from competitors;
2. Politeness and attentiveness on the part of sellers;
3. Cleanliness, order and absence of odors in the store premises;
4. Strict control of product quality and shelf life;
5. Professional consultations on issues of keeping and treating animals;
6. Possibility to order a certain product, availability of delivery of heavy packages;
7. Price and product promotions, loyalty programs.

If you love animals, care about product quality, and can serve customers with passion and experience, you can become a pet store owner! Start with our guide...

Steps to take when starting a pet store:

• 01 | Find your niche
• 02 | Understand the cost
• 03 | Find a room
• 04 | Get licenses and insurance
• 05 | Initial equipment and inventory
• 06 | Sell ​​your store.

Is there anything the British love more than their pets?

They affirm life by offering unconditional communication. They give us purpose; something to care about, communicate with, and look forward to seeing after work every day.

So it's no surprise that the money we spend on pets has been steadily increasing over the years. In fact, UK spending on pets and pet-related products rose to £4.6 billion in 2017.

This means there is a strong demand for pet-focused retailers. Unfortunately, this also means that the pet industry is very competitive.

Behemoth chains such as Pets At Home are thriving, while online retailers, supermarkets and even pound shops are gaining traction, selling mass-produced pet supplies at affordable prices.

However, a small business, in this case your local independent pet store, can compete; finding its own segment of the market, stocking quality products and providing customers with the fully informed, wellbeing-focused customer service that supermarket and convenience store workers lack.

Find your niche

With independent pet stores facing such stiff competition from pet stores, supermarkets and discount stores, you will be able to carve out a unique spot in the market that others have not filled.

Conducting marketing research

To find out how you can offer something new, the first step is to conduct market research. Look at pet stores in your area and make a note of what they sell and what they don't. Why do people visit them? How can you be better?

You should also do some research on pet owners in your area. What animals do they like? What are their criteria for purchasing food, equipment, etc.? What is their typical income and how much do they spend on their pets?

Try starting an online survey or conducting a focus group to find out.

Still not sure what your unique selling point should be? Try answering these questions to spark some pet store business ideas:

• Would you like to sell live animals - along with the equipment, food and accessories they need - or would you rather just sell pet supplies?
• Is there any animal that is in demand and that you know a lot about - such as rodents, birds, reptiles or fish? Can you specialize in this animal, offering different types and/or inventory of materials specifically tailored to their needs?
• Is there a specific type of product that is in demand but not in demand at other pet stores in the area, such as natural or premium pet foods? Can you sell a wide range where others don't?

Along with the results of your market research, your own interests are also important. For example, no matter how popular reptiles are in your city, you will struggle to sell them as desirable pets if they make your skin crawl.

On the other hand, if reptiles are your favorite animal, customers will be excited to learn about them and buy them from you—enthusiasm is contagious, after all.

Need to know: While pet shops in the UK are allowed to sell cats by law, the practice is discouraged by animal welfare organizations who are concerned about the living conditions and level of social interaction cats encounter in the store (pet shops are prohibited from selling dogs on similar grounds and also to prevent success in puppy mills).

Likewise, although some pet stores sell birds, many feel that the retail environment is not conducive to the welfare of these animals (with the exception of garden centers and specialty aviary stores). Eventually there won't be enough room for them to fly around in your store.

In general, we would advise sticking to animals that are suitable for cage and aquarium life, such as small mammals, reptiles and fish, to ensure that you are selling happy, healthy animals and not being criticized for your practices.

To further differentiate yourself (and perhaps increase your income), you might also consider offering pet-related services or experiences from your store—provided you have the expertise to do so. For example, you could:

• Offer pet sitting or grooming services.
• Conduct classes on caring for specific animals. Encourage customers to bring their pets for an element of fun.
• Offer a zoo-themed experience with animal interactions in your store that will appeal to kids and families.
• Write and print your own booklets on caring for specific animals and distribute them to clients.
• Bake or make homemade pet food or treats to sell.

Customer service is key

Pet parents are increasingly paying attention to the products they buy for their fur babies, and they are also increasingly striving to make the most informed decisions when it comes to purchasing a pet.

With that in mind, customer service is as important as any other product when it comes to running a pet store - and a warm welcome, a smile and an informative chat with your customer can mean the difference between browsing and going home armed with everything they need to take care of their creatures.

So naturally, it is important that you are excited and know your pets and your products inside out. Like any niche you carve out for yourself, personal, informed and friendly service will really help you compete with other stores and ensure repeat business.

Writing a business plan for a pet store

A business plan is a comprehensive document in which you introduce your pet store, examine how you will approach each aspect of its operation, and make projections.

Writing a business plan is a lengthy process, but it will prove to be a valuable exercise - not to mention one that future investors or loan providers will want to see.

To help you create a pet store plan, Start Up Loans has created a free business plan template.

When it comes to pet store name ideas, you need to make sure you find something that makes your niche clear, reflects the tone of your business (for example, is it high-end, premium luxury, or more fun and friendly?), and is different from any other names. stores that your customers may have already heard of and is easy to spell, read and pronounce.

How much does it cost to open a pet store?

Far from being a cheap start-up idea, opening a pet store requires a significant investment. Your main expenses will come from:

• Rental of premises.
• Paying business rates (although easing rates for small businesses may help).
• Renovate and renovate your store.
• Purchase and replenishment of stocks.
• Payment utilities such as electricity, heating and water.
• Payment of insurance and licensing.
• Buying food and Consumables, you need to care for any animals you sell.

It's difficult to determine exactly how much it will cost to start a pet store, but in general you can expect to pay from 10 000 before 50,000 pounds to get started.

Of course, you don't have to pay this bill yourself; There are many funding options available to retail startups, from grants to angel investments to bank loans. Check out our guide to small business funding sources to learn more.

Find a suitable premises

For any retail business, launching in the right location can mean the difference between success and failure—and pet stores are no different.

Ideally, you want to start in a place that...

• Busy. High streets and shopping centers are usually guaranteed attractions, but premises in these centers can be expensive. Visit the shopping streets and areas of your city and count how many people pass by at certain times of the day, on certain days of the week, to figure out where you'll get the largest share of passing trade (which will most likely be your bread and butter).
• Has convenient transport links and/or nearby parking. You want to make it as easy as possible for people to travel to visit you.
• Located next to other pet stores. While it may seem counterintuitive, launching close to competitors is actually a good strategy. With customers looking for pets and pet supplies already drawn to the area, you can take advantage of the marketing efforts of other pet stores by reeling them into your store instead.
• Has access to a vehicle. This will allow you to load and unload inventory into your store faster and easier. This will also make life easier for customers who do not want to carry heavy bags of feed for a long time.

Decide if the premises are suitable for your pet store

Of course, availability will always factor into your decision. And while that vacant store may be in an ideal location, you should also consider whether the building itself meets your standards and expectations.

Consider:

• How much big This? Any cages, tanks and chambers in which animals are kept should be spaced at least one meter apart - is there enough space for this, plus all the products you sell?
• Which facilities he has? Is there a toilet and staff room? Is there enough space in the warehouse? Are your heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electricity reliable?
• Is the building structurally reliable? You will want to find out if the building is energy efficient (does it have effective insulation and double glazing?) and if there is mold or damp. Is there a chance that the building could flood in bad weather? You don't want to put your animals at risk.

Remember, your space should be warm, well lit and inviting. Pet stores can have a reputation for being cramped and dirty, and you don't want to play into that stereotype - for the benefit of both your customers and (if you sell pets yourself) your animals.

Pet store tip: If you sell animals, pay close attention to the environmental needs of each species and make sure you are fully meeting their needs. Fish and reptiles in particular may require very specific temperatures, lighting and environment to thrive.

Likewise, keep animals that thrive on social interaction, such as rabbits, gerbils and guinea pigs, in pairs or small groups (and encourage clients to buy more than one if they don't already have one at home).

Get licenses and insurance

To open a pet store where you can sell live animals, you need to obtain a specific pet store license at your local authority, which will provide you license only if you meet their requirements and prove that you can care for your animals and run a safe store.

These requirements fall under the Domestic Animals Act 1951 and are as follows:

• Housing: The cages, tanks and enclosures in which you keep your animals must be of a comfortable size, suitable temperature, have suitable lighting, have suitable ventilation and be clean.
• Food and drinks. Animals need to be fed and give something to drink feeding them the right food as often as they need. They should also interact and check in regularly.
• Age: Mammals must reach a certain age before they are sold.
• Health: you must take all possible measures to prevent the spread infectious diseases and conditions among your animals.
• Emergencies: you should have appropriate procedures in place in case of an emergency in your store, such as a fire or flood.

Remember: licenses for pet stores operate in within one year, therefore you will have to pay to renew it every 12 months. This annual fee can vary greatly depending on what local authorities charge - some cost as little as £20, while others cost over £400. In 2014 the average fee was reported to be £131.86.

Your local authority has the right to inspect your store - or send a veterinarian to inspect your store - at any time.

If an inspector ever finds that you are violating the terms of your license, it may be revoked and you may face legal consequences such as:

• Fines up to £500.
• Refusal to maintain a pet store for a certain period of time.
• Imprisonment for up to three months.

In other words, if you plan to play background music in your store - be it atmospheric forest sounds or UK pop charts - you'll need licensed by photographic Performance Limited (PPL) .

Other legal provisions you should be aware of:

UK law states that you cannot sell animals to animals under 12 years of age- this may result in your license being revoked. Therefore, if you have reason to doubt that the client is quite old, be sure to ask for proof of age.

Likewise, selling your pets in in public places, on street or at market is also a criminal offense, so be sure to stock them in your store.

Pet store insurance

To minimize the risk of costly legal problems, you need to get the right insurance coverage.

Some insurance providers offer a cover package specifically designed for pet shops - it's worth shopping around for one and making sure your policy covers you for all eventualities.

Your package should include:

• Civil liability insurance.
• Product liability insurance.
• Employer's liability insurance (if you employ staff).
• Equipment cover.
• Buildings insurance.

Pet Store Tip: Maintaining a high standard of care and keeping animal welfare at the forefront is extremely important when running a pet store.

Instead of treating your animals simply as stock to sell, you should treat them as your pets; making sure they are fed, clean, stimulated and comfortable at all times.

It's also your responsibility to make sure they stay healthy, so don't forget arrange conservation with a reputable local veterinarian, who can see your animals if they are not feeling well.

Initial equipment and inventory

First of all, you need to stock your store racks And set up islands that effectively showcase your products. You will also need counter, through which you can accept payments.

You will also need telephone(plus a business phone number) so clients can call you with any questions.

If you sell live animals as well as supplies, you need to make sure you have first-class, spacious tanks, cells And fencing for them (quality is extremely important here - you want your animals to be comfortable and happy, and your business won't be popular if they aren't). Remember, animal enclosures must be located at least one meter apart.

In addition to housing, you will also need your own supply products- such as cleaning equipment, food, toys, grooming tools and accessories - to care for your animals while they are in your store.

Accepting payment in your pet store

It goes without saying that you won't succeed in business if you can't accept customer money. Thus, the system electronic point of sale (EPOS)- complete with cash register and monitor, barcode scanner, card reader, receipt printer and EPOS software - will be an essential addition for you.

To process and accept payments, you will also need commercial bank account And trading account, where customers' money will be stored until their bank approves their payment and transfers it to your business account.

Buying animals for sale

Purchasing animals for your store comes with responsibility. It's true that many people frown upon the sale of pets from stores, but this is often because many pet stores buy cheap livestock from battery farms that treat their animals poorly (or even cruelly).

We advise against funding battery breeders, but instead buy from reputable ethical breeders, who treat their animals with the dignity and respect they deserve while breeding happy, healthy animals that will keep your clients' satisfaction high.

You can even choose a set of ethical criteria that your breeders must meet in order to provide for you.

Pet store tip: Don't negotiate with a breeder until you've visited them and understood how they operate first hand. Remember to also always check the health of the animal before you buy it.

Once you have found your ideal breeders, use your market research to purchase a small number of animals that you know are popular in your area.

Over time, you will get a clearer idea of ​​which animals sell well. Remember to make notes every time a client asks about what kind you don't have - if enough people ask for it, you'll know to look for it.

Buying pet supplies for sale

To stock your store with pet food, equipment, grooming products and accessories, you will need to find products from a reputable (and affordable) pet store wholesale supplier.

The items you choose to stock will depend on your niche, but don't fill your store to the brim using your first order (this will cost you a lot of money and could result in a lot of product wastage - a seller's nightmare).

Instead, get a small amount of the basics and see what's popular. You can place a new order every week or two weeks; capitalize on what sells well.

For example, if your natural pet food is flying off the shelves, try purchasing a different brand or more flavors. If your rhinestone collars prove popular, purchase them in a few more colors.

Pet store tip: Look for wholesalers who have minimum order quantities that work for you. You don't want to waste money and space on thousands of devices just because your vendor requires it.

Remember that no matter what your market research tells you, you can't predict what will sell and what won't. high accuracy. So, be prepared for an element of trial and error here.

To find the right wholesaler (for products) or breeder (for animals), try:

• Research local farms and see if they breed and sell pets.
• Do a simple Google search for options.
• Ask pet industry colleagues for recommendations.
• Find out where other pet stores in your area get their animals or products.
• Use an online forum to ask pet stores to rate their favorite breeders and/or suppliers.
• Visiting pet industry exhibitions to meet with wholesalers.

Sell ​​your pet store

Here are a few key marketing techniques to get you started:

Launch website

Every small business should have a sleek, well-designed website with effective SEO (search engine optimization).

You can even give your website a broader appeal by writing and sharing blog posts about pet selection, pet care, your favorite products, and more.

Creating a website may seem daunting, but don't worry—you can hire freelance web designer or use tool for creation websites(usually no technical experience required for this). You can find the right website builder tool for you by filling out our free comparison form.

As your business grows, you may want to sell pet products and supplies online through your website, opening up a new sales channel for your brand.

Be visible on Google

When someone Googles "pet stores in [your city]" or "pet stores near me" showing up in the Google Local Pack results, where Google lists the most significant local businesses along with their contact details, opening hours and any reviews, can do wonders . for your clarity.

To appear, you must first register with Google My Business (GMB). This is a free service where you can get necessary information about your store.

Even if you don't include it in your local package (no guarantee), having a GMB profile will still make your store details clearer to potential customers—and make your business look established and professional.

Advertising on social networks

The great thing about pet store marketing is that you have a key subject - animals - that resonates with a lot of people. Social media in particular is full of animal lovers.

You can also use social media to share special offers, advertise your key services - such as events or experiences you can host - and even run competitions. Social media is an opportunity to get creative and really hone your brand voice - so have fun with it!

Try traditional advertising

Keep in touch with clients

Sending your customers regular email newsletters is a great way to attract them to your store; especially if you share special offers and updates about your animals and products, as well as information about what the business does.

A CRM (customer relationship management) system will help simplify this process and personalize email and newsletters, automate shipping, collate customer data and more. Just be careful about what GDPR regulation will mean for how you create and manage your contact list.

Try flyers

It's as simple as writing and printing flyers about your store and placing them in the mailboxes of local homes.

In your flyers, you'll want to clarify what your business does, write about any offers or deals, list any special experiences or services you enjoy, and provide contact information and, most importantly, the address of your store. Flyers need to be well designed and to professional standards, so it's worth seeking help from someone who knows design; maybe even a freelancer.

You can print them yourself at minimal cost or, if you prefer to run a larger campaign, have another organization manage you for a higher fee. Royal Mail offers this service.

What's next?

While the pet industry provides fantastic opportunities for business growth, it is also quite saturated and competitive.

However, if you remember to store food wisely, take care of animals, serve customers with passion and expertise, and capitalize on a great USP, you will have great potential for success.

By following the instructions in this guide, you'll be ready to go in no time. Good luck!

* The calculations use average data for Russia

700,000₽

Starting investment (mini market)

200,000 - 300,000 ₽

20-25%

Profitability

From 6 months

Payback period

Pet stores have been and remain one of the most popular ideas for small businesses, with which small retail outlets can still compete with large chains. What do you need to open a pet store?

Your own pet supply store is perhaps one of the most popular business ideas , which comes to mind for budding entrepreneurs. Opening a small pet store requires relatively small investments, and the business itself seems simple to organize and run compared to many other types of small businesses.

One of the main advantages of pet stores compared to other types of retail is considered to be crisis resistance. Surprisingly, but true: it is easier for owners to cut their own food costs than to switch their beloved pet to cheaper food. Therefore, pet stores are coping with the unstable situation in the Russian economy more easily than other types of retail.

How to register a pet store

The most convenient organizational and legal forms for opening a pet store are individual entrepreneurs and LLCs. Unanimous opinion as to which form is preferable, no. But for beginners in business who do not plan to work on a large scale and engage in wholesale sales, the best option is an individual entrepreneur. The fundamental difference between these two options is that when debt obligations arise, all the personal property of the entrepreneur can be called upon to fulfill them. The owner of the LLC is responsible exclusively for the authorized capital legal entity, which is 10 thousand rubles (50% of which can be the funds of the project initiator, and the second half - the funds of the attracted investor).

The procedure for opening an individual entrepreneur does not require a lot of time and money. Detailed information information on registering individual entrepreneurs can be found in this article. It is recommended to choose the simplified system (STS) as a form of taxation. An application to switch to it (by default you are assigned a general tax system) is submitted along with registration. If you are only going to lead retail trade, then during registration you will be able to select OKVED code 47.76.2 “Retail trade in pets and pet food in specialized pet stores.”

As additional codes according to the latest classification (OKVED-2) for a pet store, you can choose:

47.19 Other retail trade in non-specialized stores

47.73 Retail sale of medicines in specialized stores (pharmacies)

47.74 Retail trade of products used for medical purposes, orthopedic products in specialized stores

47.78 Other retail trade in specialized pet stores

47.89 Retail trade in non-stationary retail facilities and markets of other goods

47.91 Retail trade by mail or via the Internet information and communication network

47.99 Other retail trade outside pet stores, tents, markets

53.20.31 Courier delivery activities various types transport

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To open a pet store in the selected premises, you will need to obtain permission from the SES and fire supervision. Also keep in mind that to sell medicinal products for animals, that is, veterinary drugs, you will need a license, as well as a secondary or higher veterinary education. The same license is used when opening a veterinary pharmacy. In connection with this requirement, small pet stores are often limited to selling food and other pet products, the sale of which does not require licensing.

If you intend to engage in animal trafficking, you will also need the appropriate veterinary certificates. All animals presented in the pet store will be required to undergo an examination by a veterinarian, following which a certificate will be issued that confirms that the animals are free of diseases.

Choosing the format and premises of a pet store

You should start looking for premises even before the individual entrepreneur registration procedure, since registration is carried out within 3 days, while searching for a place may take more than one month. First, decide on the format of your store. There is no clear classification, but several types of retail outlets can be distinguished.

kiosks and small counter-type pet stores with a narrow assortment. The most common format of pet stores. Most often, these are retail outlets with a minimum area (10-15 sq. meters), where consumer goods are sold - food for cats and dogs, pet care products and a minimum set of accessories.

pet stores with a wider range of pet products- counter-type or self-service stores of a larger area (usually from 20 to 70 square meters), where not only consumer goods can be sold, but also rare and expensive food, animals, veterinary drugs, etc.

highly specialized pet stores- stores focused on a specific type of animal, for example, goods for lovers of aquarium fish, amphibians and reptiles, stores of rare and expensive food, etc. Pet stores with a narrow assortment are found only in the largest cities of the country; in small cities such outlets are unprofitable.

Most pet supplies take up little space, so in an area of ​​20-30 square meters you can easily place a fairly wide range of them. The rental amount will depend on the region, location, area, room conditions, traffic and many other factors.

Average rental value of commercial premises of various sizes in Russia, rub.*

*according to analysis of advertisements on the Avito website as of March 20, 2019

The location must meet several requirements:

convenient location;

proximity to busy roads (and, preferably, to a veterinary clinic);

high cross-country ability;

lack of competitors nearby.

Ready ideas for your business

Before you start looking for premises, research the density of competition in your city using online map services. As a rule, it will be highest in the city center, but new residential areas may lack pet stores.

The most difficult thing for individual pet stores is to coexist with and compete with chain stores: prices in the latter will be much more preferable and will lure away customers. But networkers are mainly concentrated in the largest cities of the country. For example, in Moscow, according to the 2GIS service at the end of March 2019, there are 975 pet stores, and more than 68% of them are chain stores - that is, those that have 2 or more outlets. Moreover, slightly less than half of this number (423 points) is accounted for by large retail chains with at least 20 pet stores. At the same time, if we compare the Moscow market with the Krasnodar market (169 pet stores), we can note that the share of chain pet stores does not exceed 38% (64 pet stores). Moreover, exactly half of this number (32 stores) falls on the two largest chains in the city.

Ready ideas for your business

In addition to the area important also has the location of your pet store. It can be opened in a separate building (on the ground floor, in the basement) or in a shopping and entertainment center (MEC). The latter option would be ideal if it were not for the high cost of rent, as well as the increased risks of competitors appearing from among network operators, with whom it is difficult to compete in prices. But a pet store in a separate building has one advantage over a location in a shopping center: pet owners can enter it along with their pets. This is important if you are also going to sell dog clothing that requires pre-trying before making a purchase.

When choosing a location for a store, study traffic flow (traffic is counted on weekdays in the morning, afternoon and evening, as well as on weekends at different times). The presence of direct and indirect competitors, their range and pricing policy are also taken into account. If all conditions are satisfactory, a rental agreement is concluded. The main thing that you should find out after you find the desired premises is why the previous tenants did not take root in the old place. Good places are usually not empty.

How to properly formulate a pet store’s assortment

A convenient location is undoubtedly a plus for your pet store, but it is far from the only condition for its success. People should find not only your store, but also the product they need in it. Therefore, carefully consider the range of products that will be presented in your store. Regardless of its format, product groups usually remain unchanged. This includes food and various treats, animal care products (shampoos, brushes, nail clippers, etc.), accessories and medicines. In addition, clothing and furniture for pets (mainly cat houses, scratching posts and dog beds) are in good demand.

What exactly will be included in this or that product category, what trade marks choosing and which price category to place special emphasis on depends on the area where your outlet is located. In this case, the preferences of the residents of the area and the species diversity of animals are of decisive importance. It is almost impossible to predict in advance which foods will work and which will not, as well as to analyze how many bird, fish or rodent lovers live in your area.

You can partly get an approximate picture by carefully studying the assortment of other similar pet stores located nearby, but this does not always work. As the entrepreneurs themselves note, in one area of ​​the city, for example, dogs of large breeds may predominate, and in another - small ones (however, a relationship can be established here. For example, by counting the number of private houses in the yards of which large dogs are often kept for protection, and apartment buildings, the residents of which usually have small animals), residents of one area prefer to keep birds, and residents of another – rodents...

Ready ideas for your business

Generally speaking, cats and dogs come first in popularity among Russians as pets; there are about 30 and 20 million of them in Russia, respectively. However, there is a lot of competition in this segment. Rodents and birds are much less common. Food and equipment for keeping amphibians, insects, reptiles and fish can also be included in the assortment, but these positions should not only not predominate, but also occupy a significant share of the assortment. They can be a competitive advantage if a rare pet lover comes to your place looking for something he couldn't find at other pet stores in your area.

Pet products in high demand:

dog food;

cat food;

cat litter;

repellents for insects and ticks (including collars);

shampoos for animals;

"bones" and other treats, toys;

ammunition for dogs;

cat carriers, cages, etc.

The most popular items in the pet store are animal food and litter. Therefore, these positions sometimes account for up to 80% of the total assortment. But you won’t earn much on them, since the markup on them is less than on other positions.

Therefore, the optimal ratio between food and accessories in the assortment of a retail outlet is 50% to 50% or even 60% to 40%. As for feed, again, preferences may vary, so at the very beginning of your work, do not try to save on purchasing goods by purchasing feed in large packages right away. It is better to try to cover a larger assortment range, albeit in small quantities (this applies not only to packaging, but also to the number of items). Even though in the first weeks you will have to go to the wholesale warehouse for goods more often or contact suppliers, but you will not accumulate illicit liquid, which will later be difficult to get rid of. You can also consult with suppliers on selecting a pet store’s assortment by finding out the list of the most purchased products from them.

To identify the preferences of your customers, do not forget to ask visitors to your stores what kind of pets they have and what food they prefer. Offer them services for purchasing large packaging of food to order, which will be more profitable for them than buying food by weight or in small bags. Keep in mind that food in large packages is usually purchased by owners of adult dogs and large breed puppies. But cat lovers and owners of small dogs prefer to take food in small bags, because, in their opinion, it quickly dissipates in large bags. Inside the pet store, follow the principle of separation of goods; display cases for cats and dogs should be decorated separately.

If your pet store is located in the city center, in a shopping and entertainment center (whose visitors are usually more solvent) or near a beauty salon for animals (there are such specialized establishments in large cities), then you can also include a small number of products in the assortment premium segment - stylish clothes for small dogs of the Chihuahua, Toy Terrier, Spitz breed, unusual carrier bags, etc. But still, it is better to bring these categories to order, offering customers to choose the items they are interested in from catalogs.

As for suppliers, it is better not to focus on the products of one company, but to buy products from different companies, choosing where the prices are cheaper and the range is wider. The store owner should go to negotiations with suppliers himself in order to evaluate the goods and agree on the best conditions.

Pet store staff: requirements and salary level

In a store that sells exclusively food and accessories, there are no requirements for personnel. However, if you are trading in veterinary drugs, you must have on staff a certified specialist in the field of veterinary pharmaceuticals with higher or secondary veterinary education and at least 3 years of work experience. In any case, experience in sales and working with people is also highly desirable.

A pet store sales consultant must know almost everything about animals in order to help the buyer with the choice of food, medicine, vitamins and flea remedies. Since the majority of pet owners are amateurs, the sales consultant must be able to promptly recommend to buyers the products their pets need, which the former often forget about, for example, flea treatments - anthelminthics. Most often, the responsibilities of sales assistants in small pet stores are quite broad: they are involved in displaying goods, working with the cash register, advising customers, and keeping order.

Wage Pet store employees are usually paid according to the “salary plus percentage of sales” scheme. On average in Russia, judging by the advertisements on the website hh.ru, employers offer pet store employees a salary of 27 thousand rubles.

In Moscow and St. Petersburg, salaries can be 2-2.5 times higher. The number of employees and their schedule is determined depending on the size of the pet store and operating hours. For a small pet store, even two sellers are enough. It is possible to reduce wage costs when the store owner himself takes over the counter. In addition to paying salespeople, you need to consider the cost of an accountant, who is best outsourced. For a wide-format store, it is worth thinking about dividing responsibilities and hiring an administrator, sales assistants, a cleaner, etc.

Pet store franchises: pros and cons

Opening a franchise store can be a useful step not only for budding entrepreneurs, but also for those who want to save on purchases. One of the key advantages of purchasing a pet store franchise is the opportunity to receive discounts and networker privileges. Due to the fact that the chain purchases large volumes of pet supplies, it receives a substantial discount from suppliers. Often, chains of pet stores are opened by distributors themselves.

Typically, companies offer approximately the same franchise package. In addition to exclusive delivery conditions, it includes assistance in selecting premises and forming an assortment, rules for displaying goods, advertising materials, and a staff training program. Thanks to a franchise, it is much faster and easier to resolve the issue of documents for the sale of veterinary drugs and animals, since the parent company already has some of the documents. Often, franchisees have the opportunity to connect to a ready-made online store.

Since cooperation with a large company usually involves a large lump-sum payment, not everyone is ready to buy a franchise. You should not attach excessive importance to the branding of the company. It would be most advisable to purchase a franchise only if there are pet stores in the chain in your city, and the chain itself is popular among the population. Otherwise, a brand from another city will mean absolutely nothing to a local buyer.

We calculate the income and expenses of a pet store

What investments will you need to make in a pet store?

To open a small counter-type pet store with an area of ​​10 square meters. meters in the region, you will need 400-500 thousand rubles. To open a mini-market, you will need approximately 700 thousand rubles. If we talk about opening a pet store with an area of ​​50 square meters. meters will require an average of 1.5 million rubles, and a large store with an area of ​​100 square meters will require at least 2.5 million rubles.

Start-up costs, in addition to purchasing goods for a pet store, include repairs (the design of pet stores does not play a big role, so investments in this item are not large), shelving, display cases, cash register equipment and software. Racks are selected depending on the types and dimensions of your products. Keep in mind that food in large packages takes up a lot of space. To save space, they are usually placed on the floor. Food in small bags is displayed on the shelves, and various small items (pet toys, medications, treats, accessories, etc.). It is also advisable to include 2 months’ rent in the starting costs.

To purchase commercial equipment for a pet store with an area of ​​about 50 square meters. meters will require about 100-150 thousand rubles. Glass showcases can be made to order. One glass box will cost 10-15 thousand rubles, but in any case it will be more profitable than installing anti-theft equipment, which costs at least 70-80 thousand rubles plus materials for marking each product item.

The daily revenue of small pet stores in practice rarely exceeds 10-15 thousand rubles, while larger pet stores can sell 30-80 thousand rubles per day. The average markup on products sold is 50% (depending on the product category, it can range from 35-65%). For the most popular items (popular food and litter) the markup is usually less (15-25%), and for less popular ones it can sometimes reach up to 200%. The optimal inventory is determined by the amount of inventory balances in the amount of two months' revenue at purchase prices.

It is not difficult to calculate that a store, for example, with an area of ​​30 square meters, working with two employees and an outsourced accountant, will not go into the red if the revenue exceeds at least 150 thousand rubles per month. The key expenses of the main period will be employee salaries (about 90 thousand rubles, including deductions) and rent (about 30 thousand rubles). Pet stores, regardless of format, begin to break even after six months of operation. The profitability of a business selling pet products is usually at the level of 20-25%.

According to pet store owners, you shouldn’t hope for big profits from one point. Having decided on the assortment, worked out the sales technology, and received the most preferential terms from suppliers, entrepreneurs, as a rule, open the next similar store in another area of ​​the city. At least three to five retail outlets located throughout the city will bring good profits.

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