Thinking about opening a pet supply store? You’re in the right place.
The pet industry is thriving — and with more and more people treating their pets like family, the demand for pet products and services has never been higher. But how do you turn that opportunity into a successful business?
Starting a business isn’t without its challenges — did you know nearly 45% of new businesses don’t make it past their first five years?
Don’t worry, though. With the right planning and tools, you can set yourself up for success. The journey will have its ups and downs, but with careful preparation, you’ll be ready to tackle the challenges of entrepreneurship head-on.
In this blog, we’ll share the common mistakes many business owners make that hold them back. We’ll also walk you through nine simple steps to open your pet supply store. Plus, we’ll explain how a POS system designed specifically for pet stores can make running your business a whole lot easier.
Common Mistakes New Entrepreneurs Make
Unfortunately, many new businesses fail for various reasons, some of which are beyond your control — like changes in the market or even something as big as a global pandemic. But other failures come down to avoidable mistakes. Here are a few of the top reasons pet supply stores may struggle or not make it:
- Lack of market research
If you don’t have a solid understanding of your customers’ needs, your pet supply store might miss the mark. For example, stocking products that your local community isn’t interested in or overlooking key pet care trends could hurt your sales. It’s important to understand the types of pets people own in your area, their shopping preferences, and what they value most when choosing pet supplies (like eco-friendly products or premium pet food). - Underestimating cash flow
Pet supply stores can have significant upfront costs — whether it’s purchasing inventory, securing a retail space, or investing in equipment. Failing to plan for these expenses, as well as the day-to-day costs of running your store, can quickly lead to cash flow problems. You need to have enough working capital to cover slow months, unexpected expenses, and the cost of replenishing inventory — all while aiming for profitability. - Ignoring marketing
Even with a great selection of pet food, toys, and accessories, if no one knows about your store, you won’t see customers walking through the door. Without a strong marketing strategy — whether it’s social media, local advertising, or loyalty programs — it’s easy for your store to be overlooked. Pet owners are loyal to brands they trust, so creating a relationship with your community and engaging with them through promotions, events, or discounts makes all the difference. - Not adapting to change
The pet industry is constantly evolving, with new trends in pet care, pet food, and pet wellness emerging all the time. If your pet supply store isn’t keeping up with the latest products or changes in consumer preferences, you risk falling behind. For example, pet owners are increasingly interested in organic or locally sourced pet products. Not adapting your inventory to meet these demands could cause you to lose potential customers to more up-to-date competitors. - Poor customer service
In the pet supply business, customer service is key. Pet owners are passionate about the well-being of their animals, and they want to shop at stores where they feel understood and valued. If your staff isn’t knowledgeable about products or fails to provide helpful, friendly service, customers will go elsewhere. Building strong relationships with your customers, offering personalized advice, and providing excellent service can turn first-time buyers into loyal patrons who return again and again.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 1 million small businesses were opened between March 2022 and March 2023. However, nearly 25% of those businesses failed within the first two years. By recognizing these pitfalls early on, you can avoid them and give your pet supply store the best chance at success.
How To Open a Pet Supply Store: 9 Steps to Success
Before jumping into the excitement of how to open a pet supply store, you need to lay the groundwork. Now that you’re aware of the common mistakes to avoid, it’s time to focus on the steps that will give you the best chances at lasting success and growth.
1. Do Your Homework
Success is where preparation and opportunity meet, and one of the biggest parts of prepping involves research. Understanding the local pet supply market and your competition will help you figure out which types of pet products are in demand. Spend some time visiting other pet stores in your area, both big and small, to see what they offer. What’s missing? Is there a gap in the market that you could fill?
Look into trends in pet care. Are there specific types of food or pet accessories that are becoming more popular? For example, organic pet food, eco-friendly toys, or high-end pet grooming products might be growing trends. Researching these trends can give you an edge when stocking your store.
Don’t forget to consider your target audience — are you catering to pet owners who prefer premium products, or are you focusing on affordable options for a wider range of pet owners?
Related Read: 10 Unique Pet Business Ideas To Increase Sales
2. Create Your Business Plan
A business plan is like a roadmap for your pet store. It helps you figure out how much money you need to get started, which products you want to sell, and how you’ll reach your customers. Even if you’re not searching for investors, having a plan keeps you on track.
Start by outlining your pet store’s goals. Will you focus on food, toys, or grooming products? Will you offer additional services like dog training or pet grooming? Your business plan should also include a budget, with estimates for everything from inventory costs to rent and utilities.
And remember: Your business plan isn’t set in stone. As you learn more about your customers and the market, don’t be afraid to adjust your plan to meet their needs.
Related Read: Create Your Pet Store Business Plan: 7 Steps to Success
3. Pick a Great Location
Location, location, location. This old saying rings true when it comes to opening a pet supply store. The ideal location for your pet store will depend on a few things: foot traffic, visibility, and the local pet culture.
Try to pick a spot that's easily accessible for pet owners and has plenty of parking. It helps if the location is near other businesses that attract pet owners, like a veterinary clinic or a pet grooming service. The more pet-friendly businesses in the area, the better!
Think about the size of your store, too. You don’t need a massive space, but you’ll need enough room to display your products in an inviting way. Keep in mind that you’ll also need storage space for inventory and possibly an area for customers to interact with pets.
4. Take Care of the Paperwork
Now comes the not-so-fun part — the paperwork (licensing and permits). While it might not be the most exciting step, making sure you're legally compliant is a must before you open your doors. Depending on your location, you'll need several licenses and permits to operate your pet store.
At minimum, you need a general business license and a sales tax permit. If you plan on selling pet food or treats, a health permit may also be required. Additionally, don’t forget to review local regulations surrounding animal welfare and pet products to ensure you're in compliance. It’s a good idea to consult with a local attorney or small business advisor to make sure everything is in order.
To find out exactly what you need, check out the resource linked below. Since each state has its own set of regulations, a quick Google search for your state will provide a variety of resources, including local government sites with the latest updates, as laws and requirements can change quickly.
Related Read: What License Do I Need To Open a Pet Store?
5. Stock Your Store With the Right Pet Products
Once you’ve secured your location and handled the paperwork, it’s time to think about inventory. This is where your market research comes in handy. You want to stock products that your target audience wants to buy, while keeping an eye on trends in the pet industry.
Start with the basics: pet food, treats, toys, grooming supplies, and accessories like collars and leashes. As your business grows, you can start adding specialty items, like pet apparel, organic food, or eco-friendly products.
It’s also important to partner with reliable suppliers to keep your shelves stocked. Establish solid relationships with manufacturers and wholesalers, and consider offering some exclusive or private-label products to set your store apart.
Related Read: Supplier Selection Criteria for Pet Stores: 11-Step Guide
6. Set Up Your Store Layout
Now that you have your inventory, it’s time to set up your store. A well-organized pet store layout makes all the difference when it comes to customer experience. You want your customers to feel comfortable and have an easy time finding what they need.
Consider creating themed sections for different types of pets — for example, a section for dogs, another for cats, and maybe even an area for small pets like rabbits or guinea pigs. Keep your bestsellers at eye level, and use signage to clearly mark product categories. A clean, well-organized store makes customers want to stick around and shop longer.
And if you’re planning to offer services like grooming or pet training, make sure those areas are clearly marked and easy to access.
Related Read: 12 Unique Pet Shop Display Ideas
7. Get the Right Technology
Running a pet store requires more than just great products — you also need the right tools to manage your business. This is where a point of sale (POS) system comes in. A POS system designed specifically for pet stores helps you streamline operations, track inventory, and provide excellent customer service.
With a specialized POS system, you can easily manage your pet store’s sales, track customer preferences, and even offer loyalty programs to keep your customers coming back. The right pet supply store POS system will have built-in pet product catalogs, making it easy to find and manage your suppliers and the items you carry.
Plus, many offer inventory management tools that help you reorder stock with just a few clicks, so you never run out of your most popular items.
Beyond in-store needs, a good POS system also helps you grow your business online. Many systems integrate seamlessly with your e-commerce platform, allowing you to manage both your in-store and online sales from one place. Some even include tools for creating a website to sell pet products online or enable customers to schedule grooming appointments on their own.
This level of convenience and integration saves you time and helps you stay organized, all while offering your customers a better overall experience.
8. Market Your Pet Supply Store
With your store set up and ready to go, it’s time to tell people about it! Marketing is key to building awareness and bringing in customers. Start by creating a website and setting up social media profiles. Pet owners love to engage on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where you can share cute pet photos, promotions, and tips.
Hosting events or offering special discounts can also help draw in customers. You might consider partnering with local pet shelters for adoption events or offering in-store demonstrations for new pet products. You could even create a loyalty program where customers earn points or discounts for frequent purchases.
Don’t forget about local advertising, too. Flyers, local newspaper ads, or sponsoring community pet events are all great ways to get the word out.
Related Read: 7 Marketing Ideas for Pet Stores
9. Hire a Great Team
As your business grows, you’ll need a reliable team to help run the day-to-day operations. Hiring staff who are passionate about animals and knowledgeable about pet products makes all the difference when it comes to customer service.
Invest in training your team on the products you sell, customer service best practices, and how to use your POS system effectively. A friendly, knowledgeable staff will keep customers coming back and ensure your store runs smoothly.
Remember: This is a solid framework with a clear starting point on how to open a pet supply store. As you move forward, some of these steps can be tailored to meet your specific needs, especially as you learn how your customers interact with your store.
For example, marketing is something that will always need tweaking to stay in tune with new trends and customer preferences. Be sure to keep track of your metrics and reporting, so you can identify what's working, troubleshoot what isn’t, and make adjustments as needed. Flexibility and continuous improvement are key to growing a successful pet supply store.
Open Your Pet Supply Store With eTailPet
By doing your research, creating a solid business plan, and leveraging the right technology, you’re well on your way to turning your pet store dream into a reality. This is where eTailPet comes in.
eTailPet is designed specifically for pet supply stores and can help any budding entrepreneur succeed. With features like the Astro Loyalty program, you can reward repeat customers and keep them coming back. You can also build your own website, choose from a catalog of over 160,000 pet products, and easily manage your inventory and suppliers.
eTailPet makes it simple to manage staff, track sales, and access detailed reporting. This gives you a clear picture of what’s working (and what’s not) so you can make informed decisions and adjust accordingly.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule a free demo today.