For many pet store owners and entrepreneurs, the requirements of running a top-notch pet store demand more time and attention than they may have realized. Caring for the animals alone is a full-time endeavor. However, there are many operational changes you can implement for a more effective and efficient business. Continue reading for tips on how you can run your pet store for a successful future.
Make Retail Transactions Easy for Everyone
When it comes to making a purchase at your pet store, you want the process to be seamless, even enjoyable, for everyone involved. Whether a customer is coming into your establishment to adopt a new dog or pick up food for their cat, you want them to have a pleasant interaction.
The best way to make this happen is with a pet store POS system. The point of sale or point of purchase is the combined hardware and software that allow the transaction to occur. Today’s POS options may include a traditional cash register at a counter or a stand outside your store where customers can visit your pets in the fresh air and make their purchases via a handheld system.
These comprehensive systems are more than just purchase points. Technology has brought innovations to the forefront allowing you to operate your business with ease. Some options through the software and hardware include:
- Vendor Credit Module
- Simplified eCommerce Solutions
- Smart Order Inventory Systems
- Pre-Populated Pet Catalog Products and Descriptions
- Integration of Customer Loyalty Perks
- Smart Inventory Management
Spending time navigating between different systems to complete a sale or track your inventory is a waste. You can and should use your time more productively. That is why a pet store-specific system is right for pet store proprietors.
Maintain Online Visibility
Staying visible as a pet store with lots of competition means ramping up your advertising and marketing efforts. In today’s world that means being online.
If you have not already created accounts on the most popular social media platforms, it is time to do so. Commonly used sites include:
- YouTube
- Tiktok
Create fresh and relevant content daily to continue to excite, entice, and engage your pet store’s followers. Whenever a new pet arrives, begin to advertise it via your social channels. Highlight the pet’s features, known disposition, or history, and always include cuddle-worthy descriptions to pull potential customers into your store.
Add content for all pets, whether they are fluffy cats, scaly lizards, or colorful fish. Stage the pets with props and interesting backgrounds to make them look even more inviting. Incorporating videos with their daily activities and encouraging people to come back to your social channels serves to maintain interest and is a great way to advertise.
As the weather changes and seasons and holidays are on the horizon, it is important to acknowledge them. Invite pet parents to your store or online marketplace to purchase gifts for their pets. As winter approaches, you should highlight your in-store pets wearing a jacket and booties. Nothing says cute like a pet wearing clothing. It is the perfect advertising effort.
Hire Quality Team Members
Whether you call your employees just that, your staff, or even team members, is all consequential. By working within a team, you show the people you employ that they have value and are valued members of your business.
To have team members, you must first find high-quality individuals. This is not a comprehensive description of the employee you are looking for. Instead, it’s someone of character and dedication who will serve you well.
Look for people who can relate to both humans and animals in equal form. You want personable individuals who can establish a rapport with your customers, answer their questions, and make them feel welcome. These same people need to have a high comfort level regarding animal interactions and a willingness to clean up after them.
Now that you have a better understanding of what tools and resources you can utilize to your advantage in running a profitable and distinctive pet store, it is time to implement these tools and ideas. When it comes to success, you should work smarter, not harder, with productive software and hardware that will work to your advantage. Market your pets and products for greater exposure and more sales.
