You’ve put in the hard work — creating a solid business plan, securing the capital, sourcing the products, and finally opening your pet store.
But here’s the thing: The hardest part isn’t over just yet. Now it’s time to figure out how to manage a pet store for the long-term.
Small businesses are the backbone of America, yet 45% of new businesses fail within the first five years. However, companies with fewer than 100 employees make up over half of the country’s workforce. To overcome the odds, it all comes down to effective management.
If you're unsure how to manage your pet store for growth and success, we’ve got you covered with seven tips and tricks.
Before jumping into what to do, let’s talk about what not to do when it comes to managing your pet store. One of the main reasons businesses fail is lack of knowledge, skill, or simply getting too comfortable. The old saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” doesn’t always apply in retail. It’s more like, “it may not be broken, but it can always be better.”
It’s important to stay on top of pet store trends, technology, and what consumers expect when they walk into your store. The pet world moves fast — whether it’s food or toy recalls, new health supplements, or grooming trends. But staying on top of what customers want is only part of the picture.
You also need to focus on yourself as a leader — what’s your management style? How do you communicate with your employees? Do you have the tools you need to lead effectively? How do you handle conflict in the workplace? There are a ton of questions to ask yourself, and they’re all equally important. Here are some tips and tools to help you manage your pet store.
In 2023, a survey by Salesforce found that businesses were losing 23 full days of vacation to repetitive, menial tasks that could easily be automated. Fast forward to today, and not much has changed. It’s estimated that inefficiencies can be costing businesses up to $1.3 million in potential revenue. If you’re thinking, “I don’t even make that much!” — let’s break it down and put a number on what you could be losing.
Studies show that 32% of an employee’s time is spent on tasks that don’t contribute to increasing revenue. For example, if you have an employee working 40 hours a week at $20 an hour, they’re wasting 12.8 hours on tasks that don’t move the needle for your business. That’s $256 a week. Now, multiply that by four weeks and the number of employees you have — and you’ll see the bigger picture.
It’s like having the windows wide open and the AC blasting in the middle of summer — money slipping away without even realizing it.
Solution:
We recommend keeping track of everything you do in a day or week, and how long it takes you to complete each task. This way, you’ll have a clear picture of what tasks take the longest — and whether or not they can be automated.
For instance, does creating new purchase orders take a massive chunk of your week, or is it constant inventory counts or restocking? What about crunching the numbers at the end of the month?
Once you know where you need help in your pet store, it’s time to get it. Invest in point of sale (POS) software designed specifically for pet stores. It doesn’t matter the size of the business — every store benefits from a point of sale system.
A pet store POS can manage your inventory, automatically create purchase orders when stock gets low, give you detailed reporting on your sales, and much more. It can efficiently take over most of the tasks you and your employees would otherwise do by hand.
Fostering a positive workplace is a bit subjective, since different people have different ideas of what makes a great work environment. For some, it might mean supportive leadership and open communication, while for others, it could be about flexibility, work-life balance, or opportunities for growth.
Consider your management style. Do you micromanage or are you pretty relaxed? Can you manage conflict between employees? Are you adept at delivering constructive criticism?
Working for a small business like a pet shop can have its positives and negatives. While employees are drawn to small businesses because they feel they can easily communicate and build camaraderie, many employees fear small businesses foster toxic work environments — for instance, a lack of clear onboarding, paths to grow, or clear expectations of job responsibilities.
Solution:
Just like you need to stay ahead of what customers expect from your pet store, it’s important to understand what your employees expect, too. If you don’t, you might end up with high turnover or unhappy employees — which means your customers won’t feel as welcome either.
Here’s what we recommend:
Now, let’s move on to another important aspect of managing your pet store — ensuring you have the right systems in place to keep things running smoothly.
This might seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised — 42% of small business owners admit they had no financial literacy before starting their business. And that often extends to personal finances as well.
Not separating your finances can create obvious confusion, like not knowing exactly how much revenue you’ve made or, even worse, how much profit you’re actually bringing in. If you’re paying your employees from the same account you use for rent or mortgage, you might find yourself facing overdraft fees or mistakenly thinking you’re making more than you really are.
And, let’s not forget about taxes — Uncle Sam will get his share one way or another. So, make sure it’s not by garnishment.
Solution:
To avoid these pitfalls, it’s time to separate your personal and business finances. Open a separate business bank account and use it solely for business transactions. Invest in accounting software that can help you track expenses, manage payroll, and give you a clear picture of your financial health.
Make sure your payroll software, like QuickBooks, integrates seamlessly with your POS system. This integration can streamline processes like payroll, sales tracking, and inventory management, saving you time and reducing the chance of errors.
This not only helps with budgeting and decision-making, but also makes tax season a whole lot easier. Plus, you’ll have a clear line between your personal and business money — keeping your peace of mind intact.
When you're first opening your pet store, it's tempting to pinch pennies and choose the cheapest software options out there. After all, you’re trying to keep costs low while getting your business off the ground. But here’s the catch: Choosing the cheapest option can actually end up costing you more in the long run.
In the early stages, those budget-friendly solutions might seem like a win, but as your business grows, they can quickly become a hassle. The software that seemed like a good deal may not scale with your pet store. You’ll find yourself outgrowing it, and suddenly you're faced with the challenge of replacing it and training your employees on a new system — a costly and time-consuming process.
On the flip side, you might be tempted to go for a system with all the bells and whistles. But all those extra features can break the bank when you don’t yet need them. The last thing you want is to pay for a system that’s way beyond your current needs, leaving you with a hefty bill and tools that don’t add value just yet.
Related Read: 5 Things To Know About Inventory Management Software for Pet Stores
Solution:
The key is to find software that fits your pet store’s current needs — but can grow with you as you expand. A POS system designed specifically for pet stores offers scalability. You’ll get exactly what you need when you need it, without paying for unnecessary features right out of the gate. Look for a system that allows you to pay for only the essential features at first, and then scale up as your business grows.
A tailored POS system helps you manage inventory, track sales, and manage customer data, while offering flexibility to add features as your needs evolve. This way, you can avoid the pitfalls of both cheap, outdated software and expensive, overcomplicated systems. The right POS gives you a strong foundation without breaking your budget, and will grow with your pet store for years to come.
In the pet store business, building lasting customer relationships is important for long-term success. Loyal customers not only spend 67% more than new ones, but they’re also much more cost-effective to retain than to acquire.
It’s about more than just making a sale — you need to foster a loyal customer base that keeps coming back. The more you engage with your customers, the more likely they are to return, recommend your store, and spend money.
A lot of pet store owners make the mistake of focusing solely on the transaction, but it’s the ongoing relationship that really matters. Whether it's keeping track of birthdays, knowing their pet's preferences, or offering helpful advice, these small touches go a long way in building trust and loyalty.
Solution:
Invest in a POS system that includes built-in customer relationship management (CRM) and marketing tools. This allows you to manage customer data, track purchase history, and target them with personalized promotions. A POS with CRM can help you create and maintain a customer loyalty program, which is a great way to encourage repeat visits. Offering discounts or rewards for repeat purchases can go a long way in building a loyal customer base.
By making it easy to engage with your customers and providing personalized experiences, you’ll build relationships that last — and keep them coming back for more.
Even if your business is thriving in person, having a website allows you to reach a broader audience, create more sales channels, and boost your credibility. A website serves as an extension of your store, providing information, selling products, and even allowing customers to book services online.
Without an online presence, you’re missing out on a massive opportunity to connect with potential customers who are searching for pet products and services on the web.
Solution:
To make it easier, choose a POS system that offers an integrated website builder. This allows you to create and manage your online store without needing separate platforms or tools. With an integrated solution, you can sync your inventory, track sales, and update products across your physical and online stores simultaneously. This not only saves you time, but ensures consistency and accuracy in both your in-store and online offerings.
A website helps you reach more customers, showcase your products, and keep your pet store top of mind, even when they’re shopping from home.
Related Read: How To Create a Successful Pet Store E-Commerce Website
One way to make your pet store stand out in a crowded market is to create your own branded products. Whether it's grooming supplies, shampoos, natural remedies for dogs with allergies, or even unique pet accessories, your own brand can set you apart from the competition.
When customers see your products on the shelves, they’ll associate them with your store — and if they trust your brand, they’re more likely to return to buy more. Not only does this help build your reputation, but it gives you more control over your offerings and pricing.
Solution:
Look into creating your own line of branded pet products, like specialty shampoos, health supplements, or dog toys. These products will give your store a unique identity and foster loyalty. Customers who love your products will keep coming back — and they’ll tell others about it, too.
Branding your own products doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Start with a few high-quality items that align with your store's values, and gradually expand your brand as your customer base grows. It’s a powerful way to strengthen your store's reputation.
When you focus on the right things — like automating tasks, keeping your team happy, and staying on top of your finances — you’re setting your pet store up for growth. It’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day, but knowing how to manage a pet store means making small improvements that pay off big in the long run.
The key is to keep improving, invest in the right tools, and build strong relationships with both your team and your customers. With that in mind, let’s move on to the next step that’ll help you grow your business even further.
Managing a pet store requires the right tools to keep things running smoothly, and eTailPet offers just that. With an integrated website builder, you can create a seamless online shopping experience for your customers, all while syncing your inventory between your physical and online store.
Plus, with robust reporting features, you'll gain valuable insights into your store’s performance, helping you make data-driven decisions to boost sales and improve efficiency.
eTailPet also offers automated marketing tools to enhance your online presence and attract more customers. These tools help streamline your marketing efforts, increase customer engagement, and improve your business’ reputation by generating more reviews.
On top of that, the system’s smart ordering feature keeps track of fast-moving products and automates restocking, so you never have to worry about running out of your bestsellers.
If you're looking to grow your pet store, eTailPet provides the tools you need to succeed. From customer relationship management to reporting, marketing, and more, eTailPet helps you manage and scale your store with ease.
Ready to take your business to the next level? Schedule a demo today to see how eTailPet can work for you.