Pet owners are increasingly shopping at the “big box” stores for their pet supplies these days.  Part of the reason is convenience, but major discount retailers like K-Mart, Wal-Mart and Target are also part of the trend.  These major chain stores have begun devoting more space on their shelves to pet products and pet food because they’ve discovered how lucrative the pet industry can be.

Can you successfully compete with the chain stores?  Certainly!  If you take the time to really learn about your customers and find the right niche for your pet business.  You probably won’t be able to compete with the larger chains on price (volume buying discounts give them the price advantage), so you determine what you can offer that they can’t.

The strength of a small business catering to pets and their owners usually lies in tailoring your business to a particular market or offering service’s the chain stores don’t.  Take a look at your pet business model and look for some of these guaranteed success generators:

·        Outstanding Customer Service.  Is your staff thoroughly versed in the advantages of your product line? Can they answer customer questions intelligently and give pet owners suggestions on which product is best for their pet?  Do you answer every email quickly and always have someone available to cope with potential problems?  What about the ease of navigating your website and placing an order? 

·        Convenience.  If you have home delivery or pet food and other pet products or pick-up and drop-off for your pet grooming services, you’re giving customers convenience they won’t find at a chain store.  Find ways to make buying pet supplies from you preferable to driving to a big box store by making it easy, seamless and convenient.  Saving time is just as important to most customers as saving money.

·        Reliability.  Keep your shelves stocked with your customers’ favorite pet supplies at all times.  Many large retail chains are hit-or-miss in this area.  They restock shelves on a pre-set schedule, and if they run out of something early, the customer is out of luck.  Reliability also means keeping your promises and guaranteeing satisfaction. 

·        Unique Products and Services.  Pay attention to what your customers really want.  All chain stores tend to carry the same or very similar pet care products – they are appealing to the masses.  Make your pet business stand out by offering what they can’t.  If you have upscale customers, carry designer dog clothing, pet collars and other products that customers will have trouble finding elsewhere.  Is there a sizeable group of customers who are looking for eco-friendly pet toys and dog beds?  Make sure you’re the best possible source for green pet products!

By making your business the “go to” place for customers who have specific pet care needs, you can compete against the mega-stores and win.

In the last year, stocks have fluctuated wildly, major corporations have laid off thousands of employees, banks have faltered and failed….and pet owners have continued to purchase gourmet pet foods and a slew of other pet products for their furry family members.  It seems that even a recession doesn’t slow down sales for retailers specializing in pet foods, pet toys and even designer label pet clothing.

Record Breaking Pet Product Sales Predicted for 2009

In fact, the American Pet Products Association (APPA) estimates that sales of pet products will actually increase in 2009 by over $2 billion.  Yes, you read that right!  Americans spent over $43 billion on their pets last year alone, proving that pampering our pets is a favorite pastime.  In rough economic times, the comfort of having an adoring dog snuggling up in your lap seems to be worth the cost of a few extra treats or a designer dog bed.  After all, unconditional love is priceless, and our pets give us their affection unreservedly.

Bob Vetere, the president of APPA, recently confirmed, “People are cutting back on a lot of areas, but are not cutting back on their pets.  They are postponing those vacations or downgrading their cars just to make sure that Fido and Fluffy are well taken care of.”

Baby Boomers Spoil Their Pets

Most baby boomers have sent their children off to college or homes of their own, and the empty nest syndrome is turning pets into surrogate children for many boomer couples.  While they wait the arrival of grandchildren to spoil, pampering their pets is filling a void.  To that end, many pet product retailers and manufacturers are now targeting this rich market.  These are the couples who can afford to lavish their pets with gourmet treats and give them upscale chew toys and bedding. 

Targeting the right customers during a recession is crucial to maintaining a strong sales record, and Furry Friends Web Design is here to help.  We keep our paws on the pulse of the pet products and pet services industries and can tailor your company’s website and advertising for the greatest possible impact on potential buyers.  If you’re ready to get a bigger piece of the pet industry’s $45.5 billion pie in 2009, contact us for a free consultation.

Wonderful information and cute on how to care for a pet:

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