What is required to open a pet store. How to open a pet store - a profitable business in pet products. We are thinking about advertising promotion in the market

In this article you will learn about how to open a pet store and what you need for this. detailed instructions and advice will help you when opening this business.

Today there are quite a large number of pet stores, but despite high level competition, however, there are areas with a lack of specialized stores or stalls selling animals and goods for food. A pet store can take its rightful place in modern market, selling an exclusive product, for example, selling rare fish or some other animals for keeping at home.

Step-by-step instructions on how to open

Let's look at step-by-step instructions on how to open a pet store and what you need to open it.

Step 1

At the initial stage of opening, the enterprise must be registered as a private legal entity or LLC.

When filling out the “field of activity” column, it is better to indicate not only the retail sale of goods, but also the provision of different types services, which may include consulting and outbound trade. After all, many buyers may ask for delivery, installation or arrangement of certain types of goods.

Another important point is the location of the pet store. It is necessary to ensure that there are no competitors selling the same product.

The area of ​​the pet store must be rationally used and filled with a sufficient amount of goods; the revenue of the pet store depends on this.

To sell products such as live food, cat and dog food, vaccines and many others, you must obtain a license. Animals must be accompanied by properly executed certificates.

Step 2

To open a pet store you need at least 10-20 thousand dollars, which will pay off in about 2 years.

The success of such a pet store will depend on its specialization and assortment. Cat and dog products and aquarium products are in great demand, which bring the main profit. There is a lot of competition here, so it is important to choose some unusual product that is not available in other pet stores.

It is better to purchase products from different companies, and it is more profitable to go to wholesalers yourself, because many wholesale companies are characterized by poor quality delivery of goods. Some may deliver a smaller quantity of goods, while others may deliver it much later.

Step 3

By law, any pet store must have a veterinarian on staff, who can act as a salesperson or conduct a reception in the pet store itself. Buyers should be aware of its opening hours; this affects the prestige of the pet store. Moreover, these days it is not difficult to find such a specialist.

A pet store must have at least two shifts of sellers, with two people for each shift. Recruitment is one of the most important points, because a lot depends on their qualifications and level of knowledge. The seller must be able to understand the range of products and, if necessary, give advice to the buyer. In some cases, he must, to the detriment of the pet store, recommend a cheaper veterinary drug, the quality of which is no worse. Thus, the buyer will be satisfied and will continue to visit the pet store in the future.

It is very good when the director of a pet store himself performs the duties of a seller. This way he will always be aware of the wishes of customers. Some of the goods must be presented for tasting. This could be a kilogram bag of feed. The client will give his animal food to try and then decide whether to take it.

It should be taken into account that such a business is also affected by seasonality. IN summer time and during the New Year holidays sales decrease.

Step 4

The design of the pet store also plays an important role. When entering a store, the buyer must immediately determine the specifics of its work. The pet store should have separate display cases for cats and dogs. It is advisable to place a visual and background information on walls or counters. This can attract attention and in most cases, buyers themselves will find the answer to their questions. For the same purpose, you can create entire albums containing photographs of fish, plants and aquariums.

Step 5

Small but memorable promotions can help promote your pet store. Even ordinary aquarium cleaning can be turned into a promotion. After all, many people do not want to start an aquarium due to its maintenance. The pet store may offer new products that will make cleaning the aquarium easier. Having become familiar with all the intricacies of using a new device, about half of people buy it.

It is also important that the pet store has a list indicating goods that cannot be exchanged or returned. To prevent people from making thoughtless purchases, you can post a notice on the pet store announcing that the buyer may be refused service without explaining the reason.

  • dog food;
  • cat food;
  • cat litter;
  • a variety of tick and insect repellents, including collars;
  • special pet shampoos;
  • “bones” and other treats, various toys for animals;
  • ammunition for dogs;
  • various cat carriers, cages, etc.

You should also take into account the following list of minimum costs for opening and maintaining a pet store with an area of ​​20 square meters:

  • rental cost - from $1000 per month;
  • cost of equipment (display displays, refrigerators, etc.) - from 5 thousand dollars;
  • salary of pet store workers (director, four salespeople, accountant) - from $1,000;
  • the cost of purchasing goods is from $3,000.

That is, to open a pet store you will need at least $10,000.

useful links

  • Communication between those who want to open their own pet store and those who have already opened it // Biznet.ru

* 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?

Owning your own pet supply store is perhaps one of the most popular business ideas that comes to the minds of budding entrepreneurs. Opening a small pet store requires relatively small investment, and the business itself seems simple to organize and run compared to many other types of small businesses.

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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, the unstable situation in Russian economy pet stores are experiencing an easier time 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. There is no consensus on which form is preferable. But for beginners in business who do not plan to work on a large scale and engage in wholesale sales, the best option is 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 solely responsible authorized capital legal entity, which amounts to 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. Application for transfer (by default you are assigned general system taxation) 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 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 in medical purposes, orthopedic products in specialized stores

    47.78 Other retail trade in specialized stores

    47.89 Retail trade in non-stationary shopping facilities and in the markets with other goods

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

    47.99 Other retail trade outside shops, stalls, markets

    53.20.31 Activities for courier delivery various types transport


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 of these, but conditionally several types can be distinguished retail outlets.

    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. 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 commercial premises of different 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.

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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 located in Network shops- that is, those who have 2 or more retail 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.


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In addition to the area, the location of your store is also important. 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 price policy. 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 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, whose residents usually have small animals), residents of one area prefer to keep birds, and residents of another – rodents...


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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 may become competitive advantage, if a rare lover of such pets comes to you in search of something that he could not find in 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 the selection of assortments by finding out the list of the most purchased goods 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 store, follow the principle of separation of goods; display cases for cats and dogs should be decorated separately.

If your 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 (in large cities there are also such specialized establishments), 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 sales consultant must know almost everything about animals in order to help the buyer with the choice of food, medicines, 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.

Salaries for pet store employees are usually formed 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 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 pet store can be a useful step not only for budding entrepreneurs, but also for those who want to save money on purchases. One of key advantages Purchasing a pet store franchise is an 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, 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 the chain has stores 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 need to be made?

To open a small counter-type 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 the purchase of goods, 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 room of about 50 sq. 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.

In practice, the daily revenue of mini-stores rarely exceeds 10-15 thousand rubles, while larger stores can sell 30-80 thousand rubles per day. The average markup on products sold is 50% (depending on product category it can fluctuate between 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 pet 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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Many families have a pet, and sometimes more than one. Each pet requires special care - there is always a pet store for their needs. In this case, establish own store there are enough pet supplies profitable idea. It is necessary to carefully consider how to open a pet store and develop detailed plan. The global pet products market is worth about $2 billion a year. With such a turnover in the city, entrepreneurs can open ten to fifteen pet stores without fear of competition.

Classification of pet stores in the city

What does it take to open a pet store with minimal expenses? Initially, the entrepreneur must decide on the type of premises. There are several types of pet stores:

  • Mini store with an area of ​​10 sq. meters - consists of essential products: various feeds, accessories for animal care.
  • Pet stores, size 50 sq. meters - a wide variety of products are available, including food and care products, accessories and medications.
  • Supermarkets - trading platforms with a wide variety of products for animals - are in demand in cities with a population of over a million.
  • A highly specialized pet store is a business aimed at selling certain goods or products for individual species pets. It makes sense to open such a point if there is a specific demand for products.

It is recommended to open a business in a premises of 50 square meters. It has enough space for pet supplies, enclosures, terrariums, aquariums, etc. A pet supply store can be established anywhere in the city - preferably near veterinary hospitals. Before opening a business, it is advisable to conduct a survey of the population in the area of ​​the store to find out about consumer preferences. It should be remembered that each type of animal in a pet store should have its own separate corner. Pets that make sounds should be kept in separate corners so as not to create a lot of noise.

The issue of financial expenses

When considering how to open a pet store from scratch, you should consider the required investment. Main costs:

  • Rental and renovation of premises.
  • Pet store supplies (shelves, display cases, cash register, scales, cages, refrigerators).
  • Advertising.
  • Purchase of pet supplies and other supplies.
  • Employees' salaries.

An interesting business pays off within 2 years. According to research, the income from a pet store is about 1.5 million rubles, observed in a city with a population of more than 350 thousand people. To open a business you will need about 10-15 thousand dollars.

Store success: large selection

In a pet store, in addition to standard pet products: food (accounting for 50-60% of purchased products), tray fillers and medicines, you can sell accessories and furniture for animals (20% of all purchases). It sells well in big cities, where people do not skimp on household items for pets. There are several types of furniture and items for pets:

  • Mattresses.
  • Sofas.
  • Houses.
  • Sun beds.
  • Devices for jumping and running.
  • Scratching posts.
  • Trays, bowls for water and food.

The furniture should be decorated with soft material inside, and a special design pattern should be made on the outside to match the interior. It is preferable to create universal furniture. Few people think of starting a business for making furniture for animals, and the idea should bring a good income. The payback of such a business is 100%. The warehouse should always have a stock of assorted goods - after all, there may be a shortage of pet supplies in competing stores. This will always be a big plus.

We must not forget that to trade in medicinal products for animals, you need to open a license.

Legislation and business registration

You can open a business by registering an individual entrepreneur ( individual entrepreneur). This will reduce tax payments and simplify accounting and reporting. To open an individual entrepreneur, an entrepreneur must be a pharmacist by training. When registering an LLC, the pharmaceutical education of one of the employees is sufficient. If the entrepreneur does not intend to sell medications (anthelmintic, anti-flea drugs) and animals, then there is no need for a license. Otherwise, it will not be possible to open a store without the necessary documents. The Russian Ministry of Agriculture regularly carries out legal regulation. If you want to open a veterinary pharmacy in residential buildings, you must follow certain requirements. When a pharmacy is located in a separate room, there are accepted standards for lighting, microclimate and drinking water.

Veterinarians will need a specialist certificate obtained from the Union of Pet Business Enterprises. To sell pets you must:

  1. Obtain veterinary certificate No. 4 - issued at any clinic.
  2. Be inspected by the sanitary and epidemiological station, veterinary and fire services.

After sending all the documents to the authorities, a commission comes to the pet store with a check in accordance with Gosstandart. Tax regime – UTII (single tax on imputed income). After official registration, you can safely open a store and start trading.

According to Russian law, it is prohibited to sell animals to children without the presence of parents and to people in a drunken state.

Necessary PR for business

Business does not require special advertising. A bright sign and posting notices in places of passage are sufficient. potential clients (veterinary pharmacies, parks for walking dogs, zoo exhibitions). A pet store with a small area should have a special feature to attract customers: exotic animals or interesting interior details. A person will come to see an overseas iguana sitting in an ultra-modern illuminated terrarium, and will buy branded cat food. Small promotions will help promote the store. Even ordinary cleaning of a large aquarium turns into an interesting mini-presentation. For regular customers, when purchasing pet supplies, you need to enter discounts and savings cards. When opening a pet store, you can give out small gifts and flyers. It is necessary to create a pleasant atmosphere in the pet store (music, helpful staff, beautiful design of pet products, etc.). Then the visitor will definitely return.

Own staff

According to the law, a pet store must have veterinarian, capable of independently dispensing goods and accepting four-legged patients in the store.
Two shifts of salespeople will be required - two people per shift. The seller must understand the range of goods and be able to give advice to the buyer. It has been proven that the buyer is willing to overpay for products with good service. It is better to pay salespeople a fixed salary and additional interest. It’s good if the director independently sells pet products - he will always be aware of the popular goods and customer complaints. Also, a pet store will definitely need a cleaner.

Features of a business idea

Instead of a traditional pet supply store, you can start an online store. It is easier to open than a regular one, but taxation cannot be avoided. There are only two types of taxes for online trading:

  1. STS (simplified taxation system) - applied to stores with a turnover not exceeding 45 million rubles for nine months.
  2. OSN (general system).

Delivery of goods from pet stores will attract additional customers, which means more profit.
It is better to purchase products in large regional centers. Delivery of pet supplies to the store should be carried out only from trusted sources and purchased from honest suppliers. The entrepreneur must check the product for quality and expiration date. All animal care products, toys and accessories must have certificates. Animals for sale are taken from nurseries or by hand. Additionally, you can enter into agreements with suppliers. A profitable business is possible only if you have large assortment, experienced staff and flexible system discounts

Animal lovers spend, according to rough estimates, from two thousand rubles a year on their pets. And many, much more. It follows that a business related to animals can bring good profits. And if you love animals and are well versed in all aspects of keeping them, this will bring you considerable pleasure. Do you want to sell everything your pets need, and maybe even the pets themselves? So you need a pet supply store. We'll look at how to open a pet store in this article.

Before planning to open your store, you need to sort out a considerable number of questions: how much money you need to spend to purchase everything you need, what licenses and documents are required, where is the best place to open such a store, what range of products is needed, how to find suppliers, etc.

Marketing research

Let us ask ourselves: how many animals does our population have?

According to the results of surveys conducted by statistical centers, the situation is approximately as follows: 35% of families keep cats, 20% - dogs, 3% - fish and birds, 1% - turtles and hamsters.

Other exotic animals - chinchillas, rabbits, iguanas, pygmy pigs, etc. - less common and make up less than one percent.

And all the owners of these animals are concerned that their pets are fed, healthy (and sometimes even dressed and shod) and happy with life. Then the owners will feel happy. Your goal is to satisfy these needs.

The pet products market is huge, but competition is also high. Therefore, before deciding to open a pet store, you need to figure out how many similar stores exist in your city and in your area, whether there are enough of them to satisfy all the needs of city residents, whether there are unoccupied niches and areas where there is not a single pet store.

You can get information from the Internet by chatting on thematic forums in your city. You will find out who is praised and for what, which sellers and manufacturers are criticized, what animal owners lack in your city or region. When you are ready to open a pet store, all this information will be very useful.

If you yourself have pets and have considerable experience in keeping them, it will be much easier for you to understand the topic and understand how best to act in this particular case.

Legal registration

Usually small stores, large ones. But in any case, both options are possible. In addition, you will need permission from the Trade Authority. You must obtain an extract from the state register and then register with Pension Fund and the Tax Inspectorate. When you do, you must indicate that you will be engaged in retail trade.

To sell animals you need to obtain a veterinary certificate and other documentation from Government controlled veterinary medicine of your region or region (permission to import animals, birds, fish, etc.). Permission from the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station and the Fire Department is required.

A patent from the licensing chamber is not needed when opening a pet store.

You will need a cash register and a machine for cashless payments via plastic cards.

Pet store format

Decide what kind of pet store you need:

  1. A large store with several departments with a wide range of different animals, fish and birds, as well as everything that may be needed in caring for these pets. Such a store may employ several dozen salespeople and consultants. Animals of different breeds and species, as well as rare and exotic animals, can be presented here.
  2. A pet supply store organized on a self-service basis, staffed by several consultants and 1-2 cashiers.
  3. A medium-sized store that sells several types of animals, as well as accessories, food, medicine, furniture and clothing. Such a store is serviced by 2-3 sales consultants.
  4. A small store selling animal food and care products.
  5. Pet products department in a large hypermarket.
  6. Special shop. Perhaps just such a store is missing in your city - specializing in fish, or only in dogs, or in clothing for animals - there are a lot of options.
  7. Online store. In some cases, this is a very convenient form of trading. It can be either an independent enterprise or an addition to your offline store. In this case, you will need a delivery service, which you can either organize yourself or use couriers.
  8. Another interesting form: a zoo center. This is an association of several enterprises specializing in animals under one roof: a veterinary clinic, a veterinary pharmacy, a pet store, specialized stores of various types, a hotel for animals, a hairdresser for pets, etc.

Small pet store

The simplest option, which requires the least cost, is to open a small store or department that will mainly sell food for cats and dogs, litter for toilets, as well as accessories: collars, leashes, muzzles and care products: shampoos, combs, etc. P. The above positions are the most hot commodity, which is necessary for animal owners every day and brings the fastest profit.

The area of ​​such a store can be very small - about 10 square meters. m. It does not have to be located in the city center, but the place should be quite accessible: next to other shops or with veterinary clinic, close to a bus stop, on a busy street.

If you do not sell veterinary drugs, you will not need a license.

Average pet store

The next option is a full-fledged medium-sized pet supply store. Its area must be at least 70 sq.m. It can be located either in the center or in any other area, it depends on the size and needs of your city. The assortment of such a pet supply store should include:

The store should have catalogs of rare and exclusive goods supplied to order.

Suitable conditions must be created for animals and they must be properly cared for. The staff of such a store must be highly qualified, preferably with a veterinary education. In any case, the store must have at least one certified veterinarian - this is necessary for licensing. In addition, a veterinarian consultant will increase the prestige of your store and increase customer confidence.

Specialized pet store

It is good to open a highly specialized store to those who themselves understand the chosen field and, perhaps, are its fans. For example, if you love aquarium fish and are well informed about everything connected with them, then your hobby, when opening a store, will bring you good profit.

A store specializing in aquarium fish should have the following product categories:

Additionally, we can provide services for the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of aquariums. With good advertising, this type of activity will certainly bear fruit, since aquariums are a fashionable and prestigious interior detail, not only in private apartments, but also in many trade and service enterprises.

Product suppliers

Suppliers of pet supplies are found on wholesale markets and warehouses, on the Internet, in directories and catalogs of enterprises in your city. If you are going to open a pet supply store in a small town or village, then it is better to purchase goods in a large regional center, where they will be cheaper. You may be able to buy the product directly from the manufacturer’s factory if it is available in your area or from an official supplier imported goods in Russia. In this case, you will be confident in the quality of the product, and the prices will be lower than those of dealers.

If you are opening a small store, then it will be more convenient for you to work with one large supplier of goods that has a wide range. For a larger store, it is necessary to work with several suppliers in order to select the best offers and the best prices.

An experienced supplier can advise you on which of their stocked items are most in demand among pet owners, what is selling out the fastest, what is moving slowly but should still be stocked in the store. His advice is worth listening to.

Most likely, at first you will make some mistakes in choosing a product, but after a couple of months you will figure out what your customers need and what is most profitable for you.

Animals for sale in stores are taken from nurseries. If there are no such products in your area or city, or you are not satisfied with their range, you can negotiate deliveries from other cities. They can also be taken from the public. Among lovers of hamsters, parrots, rabbits and other small animals, there are many who breed them.

Advertising

You can do without using additional advertising resources altogether. If the initial budget of your store is small and you want to save money, then it will be enough to order a bright sign and customers will find you themselves. Of course, to do this, your store must be in a busy place.

If there are enough funds and you open large store pet supplies, it would be a good idea to advertise on local television or radio, as well as in newspapers or magazines. In addition, you can distribute booklets and leaflets advertising your store among the population of the area.

On the opening day of the store, organize a party, decorate the entrance with balloons to attract customers, announce discounts and gifts to the first customers. Be sure to issue discount cards to those who regularly come to your store.

Make sure your store has a pleasant, conducive shopping atmosphere. The product should be placed in showcases according to thematic groups, it should be clearly visible and have price tags. Cages with animals should always be cleaned, and animals should have a healthy and thriving appearance.

Keep in mind that pet stores often smell bad. This problem can be solved with the help of high-quality ventilation and special flavors.

Your salespeople should be warm, friendly, and always available to answer customer questions. But we need to warn them against being too intrusive. Let the buyer not buy anything today, but if he likes it, he will definitely come next time and recommend your store to his friends.

Finance

Is it profitable to open a pet store? Let's study this issue in more detail.

The main expenses are:

  • Renting or purchasing premises. Including repairs, lighting, air conditioning, signage.
  • Retail store equipment. Counters, racks, display cases, cash register, refrigerator for medicines and so on.
  • Product.
  • Employee salaries.

Opening a mid-range pet store will cost approximately 1.5-2 million rubles. A larger store with an expanded assortment and staff will require 3 million rubles.

The markup on goods in a pet store is approximately this: on average, it is 30%. For animal feed - from 10 to 20%, for accessories, furniture and clothing it can be from 20 to 50%, for rare types of goods it can reach up to 200%.

A pet store pays for itself in an average of 1.5 – 2 years; the profitability of such a store is from 20 to 30%.

You can draw up a business plan for a pet store yourself, if the store is small or you have relevant experience, or you can turn to specialists, it will be more reliable.

Here are rough calculations for a medium-sized store located in a city with a population of 500 thousand people. The store sells wide range products for animals, but does not sell animals.

Store capital costs:

  • Repair and signage – 220,000.
  • Trade equipment – ​​150,000.
  • Inventory – 1,600,000.
  • Working capital – 250,000.

Thus, the capital costs required to open this store amounted to 2,210,000.

Now let’s calculate the monthly profitability of the same store:

  • Revenue – 1,100,000.
  • Cost – 758,621.
  • Gross profit – 341,379.
  • Expenses – 219,560.
  • Profit before tax – 121,819.
  • UTII tax – 20,000.
  • Net profit 101,819.

Your store will be in demand and bring you the expected profit if it is located in the right place, the service is of high quality, the prices are competitive, and the assortment is wide enough.