How to start your own pet store How to open a pet store

Opening a pet store, with the right approach, can be a great business. Pets - fish, birds, cats, dogs and even reptiles - are present in almost every home and they all want to eat and have fun. Loving owners are ready to spend money on their pets, which means they will come to the pet store.

If you have already got the idea to open a pet store, it will not be superfluous to find out what formats of such stores exist.

1. The smallest and least expensive option would be to open a small shop with an area of ​​​​10 square meters, which does not require a license. It will be possible to sell food, toys and care products for animals.
2. A more solid store with an area of ​​60 square meters, selling not only everything for animals, but also the animals themselves. To open a pet store of this format, permits and licenses will be required. The staff must include a veterinarian.
3. A pet store that has a narrow specialization and offers a full range of services in its specialization. As a rule, these are stores specializing in aquariums. The staff in such a store must have broad knowledge in this area in order to be able to competently and fully advise customers.
4. And finally, the largest format is the zoocenter. In this format of the pet store, the maximum range of products and services for animals is presented. This format can combine a clinic, a shop, a hairdresser, a hotel, and an animal studio.

Business Plan Example

How to start opening a pet store? Of course, from the preparation of a business plan - this will allow you to get an idea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe upcoming costs at the initial stage. Consider a pet store business plan with calculations using the example of an average store with an area of ​​\u200b\u200babout 60 square meters.

Expenditure part:

• rent from 30 thousand rubles per month;
• registration and repair from 40 thousand rubles;
• equipment from 80 thousand rubles;
• purchase of goods from 250 thousand rubles;
• advertising from 10 thousand rubles;
• staff salary from 45 thousand per month;
• unforeseen expenses from 10 thousand rubles per month;
• utility bills from 10 thousand rubles per month;
• taxes depending on the chosen form of ownership.

Total initial costs amount to 525 thousand rubles plus taxes. Monthly expenses will be from 95 thousand rubles. The average check, in stores of this format, is from 200 rubles. With attendance from 30 people per day, the monthly revenue will be 180 thousand rubles. Payback will come 7-8 months.

Premises selection

Before you open a pet store from scratch, you need to choose the right premises. The main criterion for the selection of premises is its location. It is important to pay attention to the number of people visiting this place. Of course, the best place, especially for a large store or zoo center, will be the central part of the city. If for some reason you have not chosen a center, then you can open a pet store in a residential area, a large shopping center or not far from a veterinary clinic.

Modern lovers of pets at home spend large sums on their maintenance: food, clothing, accessories are not cheap. How to open a pet store from scratch? A step-by-step guide with financial calculations will help you set up your pet food business.

Marketing

The peculiarity of this type of business is that the products are quite specific, but at the same time, they are in demand by a large number of consumers. According to statistics, almost every second family has a pet, and the demand for feed increases by 20-25% annually.

In large cities, people keep at home not only fish, dogs, cats and hamsters, but also exotic animals - parrots, iguanas, chinchillas, snakes, turtles, crocodiles, monkeys. And although there are not too many of these originals, the cost of caring for and feeding unusual pets is much higher than for ordinary animals. In the provinces, the percentage of exotics is even less. Accordingly, the range and target audience of the pet store directly depends on the scale of the settlement.

Another important point in pre-marketing is the availability of operating similar points in the area of ​​the planned launch of the project. If there is a big store, then it makes no sense to compete with it. It is necessary to look for unoccupied sites or a highly specialized niche, which is quite risky. You can miscalculate the need for expensive unique goods and go bankrupt.

Market research can be done on your own, or you can turn to a professional marketer or marketing campaign who will give recommendations.

Business Options

You can organize the opening of a pet store in various formats:

1. Large store with a wide range of goods. You can find almost anything you want in it, including rare animals. The staff consists of 10-15 salesmen and a veterinarian. Its cost will be 5-7 million rubles, and investments will pay off in 2-3 years.
2. Small pet shop, family business. A modest assortment of the most necessary goods (food, fillers for trays, care products) can meet the needs of a small microdistrict. If relatives want to open a small outlet with pet supplies, then a room of 10 square meters will be enough. m.
3. Medium sized store. The most popular business model. On sale are both goods for animals and inexpensive animals - fish, hamsters, cats, rabbits. The sales area must be at least 70 sq. m., no matter in the center or outlying area of ​​the city.
4. Department in the shopping center. In terms of assortment, it is similar to a family shop, it brings good profit due to high attendance.
5. Highly specialized outlet. Usually sells goods for breeding fish. Less often there are shops focused on cats, dogs or other types of animals. Start by selling aquarium products: various types of fish, snails, and other aquatic life; aquariums of all shapes and sizes; special devices for aquariums; algae and grass; houses, shells, grottoes and other accessories; feed; special literature; means for treatment. A good side income is brought by services for the manufacture, installation, cleaning of aquariums, as well as consulting services for organizations using reservoirs to decorate premises.
6. Online store. They open to save on the cost of retail space and equipment. Many successful entrepreneurs who have used this strategy give positive feedback about it.
7. A complex of several different zoo-oriented enterprises - a shop, a pharmacy, a hotel, a hospital. A striking example of such an association is located in the Rumyantsevo business park near Moscow.
8. Franchise. A ready-made business with a detailed business plan, a promoted name and an established supply chain. In Russia, it is rarely used due to the high cost. And in the US, there is even a media franchise based on children's toys "Little Pet Shop". The song from this series is popular among little animal lovers.
9. Net. Opened if the initial project is very successful and brings enough profit to grow the business. For example, there are Beethoven pet stores in 10 Russian regions, and home delivery is carried out throughout the country.

To launch an enterprise in any form, a common feature is pre-planning and drawing up step-by-step instructions.

Important project milestones

Where to begin? What documents are needed? How much money will have to be invested in the project? The following steps should be taken into account:

• legal registration and obtaining permits;
• location determination;
• assortment development;
• room equipment;
• recruitment;
• advertising;
• economic calculations.

Documenting

It all starts with the registration of a legal entity. The sole owner draws up an individual entrepreneurship, which does not require a lot of time and money. Several owners create an enterprise in the form of a limited liability company, they are required to keep accounting and tax records.

For trading, you must select activity code 47.7 "Retail sale of other goods in specialized stores." To provide veterinary services, code 75.00 "Veterinary activities" is required.

You will also need:

1. Obtain permission to sell animals from the State Veterinary Administration.
2. Obtain a permit from the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service.
3. Obtain a work permit from the Fire Department.
4. Obtain a license to trade in veterinary drugs.

After legitimizing the activities, they begin to search for premises for trading, taking into account the advice of marketers.

room

The place is mainly chosen in an area with inexpensive rent or in a large shopping center. In the first case, an advertising campaign is organized to attract buyers, using a wide range of goods and animal species. In the second case, the flow of people will always be large in itself.

The area of ​​​​the premises depends on the scale of the business idea and the format of the institution. The minimum requirement is 50 sq. m. for the location of the trading floor and utility departments. However, the more spacious the store, the better. In cramped conditions, it is inconvenient for buyers to choose goods, and it is difficult for sellers to lay out the entire range in a conspicuous place. If animals live in the store, then they need sufficient living space.

It is very difficult to get rid of a strong specific smell in a pet store, so it is undesirable to place an outlet in a residential building and you must definitely take care of a high-quality ventilation system. For the needs of the store, it is preferable to find a separate building.

Range

The most requested products are:

• feed for various animals;
• vitamins, medicines;
• toilet fillers;
• animal care products;
• dishes, trays;
• toys;
• houses, cages, aquariums;
• collars, leashes, carriers;
• books and magazines on zoological subjects.

To start each position, 1-2 types are enough, in the future the range will expand in accordance with customer demand.

Special equipment for aquariums is also in demand - compressors, lamps, filters.

A separate niche is clothing for animals. It can be both a decor and a necessary thing, for example, in a harsh winter period for short-haired animals.

It is better to purchase goods from wholesale suppliers, official representatives of the manufacturer or directly from the manufacturer. This will make it possible to set prices with a favorable margin, reduce costs and receive products with a quality guarantee. You must carefully monitor the expiration dates of medicines and food products, otherwise animals and the reputation of the store may suffer.

Animals for sale are purchased from nurseries or private breeders. Exotic species are delivered to order from abroad.

Room equipment

The main equipment of the hall of the pet store is commercial equipment:

1. Various racks and shelves.
2. Showcases.
3. Counters.
4. Cash machine.

There will also be a need for facilities for keeping animals sold - cages, pens, terrariums, aquariums. A convenient device for pet clothing is a rack with hangers.

Their technical equipment will require high-quality ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, a refrigerator for medicines, a computer, and an Internet connection.

Store staff

In the state, depending on the format and scale of the enterprise, you may need:

№	Job title	Approximate salary, rub.
1	Shop assistant	20000
2	veterinary doctor	23000
3	animal care worker	15000
4	Merchandiser	25000
5	Administrator	30000
6	Accountant	18000
7	Cleaner	7000

Sales consultants must be experienced, well versed in the subject, be polite and courteous with customers. After all, the attendance and profitability of the pet store depends on the quality of service.

General management may be carried out by the owner or hired by a director. An accountant with experience in a trade organization should keep internal, tax and commodity records, draw up reports, calculate salaries and social fees.

• Come up with a catchy name. For example, the famous children's animated series is called "Little Pet Shop". The song from it is perfect for background sound in the trading floor.
• Brightly and unusually decorate the sign and the outer part of the room.
• Open an online store website with the possibility of online ordering goods and home delivery.
• Regularly make discounts, organize promotional offers, introduce discount cards for regular customers, distribute free samples of goods.
• Place information about your pet store on external advertising media - billboards, city lights, banners.
• Some time after the opening, distribute flyers throughout the city.
• Write and post store opening announcements.

Video: pet store - 4 stages of opening.

Project Economics

How much does it cost to open a pet store and whether it is profitable to do this business can be roughly calculated by adding up all the planned expenses and income.

For example, a medium-sized pet store in Rumyantsevo is taken with a wide range of products.

The initial cost of starting a project can be:

№	Naming of expenditures	Amount, rub.
1	Legal registration	20000
2	Premises for rent	100000
3	Repair	140000
4	Equipment	100000
5	Purchase of goods	1500000
6	Advertising	80000
7	Other	100000
Total		2040000

Monthly operating expenses include:

The payback period can be calculated, given that the average markup on pet products is 30%. Moreover, for the most popular group - 20%, for veterinary drugs - up to 100%, for accessories - up to 50%. The profitability of a pet store is usually 25-35%, which is quite a high figure.

The monthly approximate income is about 1,000,000 rubles. Pricing should be built, focusing on the average level of cost of pet products from competitors. Some positions should be made a little cheaper to attract buyers.

When planning the store's annual budget, keep in mind that pet supplies are a seasonal business. However, the initial investment pays off in less than a year.

A pet store is a profitable business for aspiring entrepreneurs who love animals and understand their needs.

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According to the latest research, about 20 million dogs and 30 million cats live in Russian homes. In terms of the number of pets, our country is second only to the United States of America. Parrots, rodents, amphibians, and fish live in people's apartments. Already today, the turnover in the pet products market is more than 50 billion, while the amount increases by 20-30 percent annually. Impressive? In this article we will tell you how to open a pet store and what you need for this.

Before you decide to open a store, analyze the competition in your city. To do this, find out:

• pricing policy of pet stores;
• store locations;
• filling with goods.

This analysis will help you understand where to locate the store, assess the overall demand for products, and find out the scarce categories of goods and animals. Without such research, the business will only bring you frustration and loss, so you need to take it very seriously.

After the analysis, it is necessary to register the future enterprise. Since you will have to work with wholesale companies, and over long distances, it is better to register an LLC. Such an enterprise will have more confidence on the part of partners and suppliers, although fines in case of violations will be much more serious and the registration procedure will be more complicated.

Do not forget in the column "field of activity" in addition to the sale of goods at retail, add the provision of consultations and outreach trade. Many buyers prefer to order home delivery.

Remember: to sell live food, cat and dog food, medicines and animal vaccines, you must obtain a license and have a veterinarian on staff! To sell animals, you need to obtain permission to sell from the Committee of Nature, pass an inspection by the SES, veterinary and fire services.

Determining the scale of a pet store

Before proceeding with the search for premises, it is necessary to determine the scale of the future store. There are several types of pet stores:

1. Mini shop. It is a small shop of the most necessary goods for animals: feed and care products. Brings little money, but it takes much less to open. For such activities, one seller and a trading place up to 10 square meters will be needed. It is advantageous to place it on the first floors of multi-storey buildings, thus capturing a certain territory and customers.
2. Medium store (up to 50 square meters). In such a pet store, you can allow to expand the range of goods and arrange places for small animals (rodents, turtles, birds).
3. Large pet stores (from 80 square meters). Such a store can accommodate a wide variety of goods, as well as cages with animals. Popular with the right location, requires staff for several shifts and high costs for rent and purchase.
4. Highly specialized pet supply stores. Designed for owners of certain types of living creatures. For example, a store with marine life: fish, turtles and others. Additional profit is obtained through the sale of aquariums, cleaning products and accessories.

Room search

Having decided on the scale of the pet store, you need to start looking for premises of the desired area. The hardest part is finding the right location. To do this, before renting, you need to study the area well, if there are any competitors nearby.

For medium and large stores, renting a place in a shopping center is ideal, where, due to high traffic, you will definitely find your buyer.

For mini-shops, it is better to settle in the yards of high-rise buildings, where rent is cheaper, and all residents will have in mind.

Remember: before renting the premises, analyze the traffic around the planned trading place, even in shopping centers there are places where a person’s foot rarely steps.

But you don’t have to bother with the city district, since such stores are required both in the center and on the outskirts.

Remember: an online store with a delivery option will increase the profits of the pet store and increase the visibility of the chosen place.

Range selection

An important success factor when opening pet stores is the right assortment of products. Absolutely every pet store must have:

• pet food;
• animal care products;
• accessories;
• animal medicines.

In addition to this list, pet stores offer clothes for pets, cages, houses, trays and other little things. You can also offer advice from a veterinarian who can diagnose and suggest drugs for the treatment of animals.

It is not at all necessary to trade animals in a pet store, there is a great danger of losing the “product” before it is sold (pets die even with proper care). Therefore, for small pet stores, selling animals is not profitable.

If you are planning to open a small pet store, it is better not to trade animals.

Possible risks

Any type of business with the wrong approach is dangerous with losses. Therefore, the miscalculation and analysis of possible business risks is an important component of future success.

• Experiment.

It is possible to estimate the demand for pet products only due to periodic changes in the range of goods, brands of feed, medicines, and accessories. After a few months, it will be possible to identify hot items, thereby stabilizing your profits.

• Staff.

Illiterate staff will alienate potential buyers. If the sellers do not understand the products offered, cannot advise a medicine or a convenient accessory, then a dissatisfied client will leave himself and will not advise others to go. Therefore, it is necessary to hire experienced salesmen and veterinarians without saving on wages.

• Store atmosphere.

The buyer should have a desire to return to the store. Pleasant atmosphere, music, properly laid out goods, useful brochures and friendly sales assistants will make the client come back and make him come back again.

It has been proven that people are willing to overpay for goods and services, provided that they receive competent service and have a pleasant environment. This can be your trump card in the fight against competition.

Staff

For systematic work in a medium-sized pet store, it is recommended to organize work in two shifts. Each shift should have two sales assistants, one of whom should have a veterinary education. Thus, four employees with a fixed salary and a percentage of sales will be required.

It is undesirable to leave a large salary for the seller, since his interest in customers is falling, and interest is a good incentive to work. The recommended salary is 10 thousand rubles plus 10 percent of sales.

In order to motivate staff for productive work, it is recommended to allocate a large part of the salary to percentages of sales.

Cost items for opening a pet store

How expensive is it to open a pet store? Let's calculate the main items of expenditure.

• Registration of LLC;
• Obtaining licenses and permits;
• Renting premises, cosmetic repairs;
• Purchase of commercial equipment: showcases, racks, counters, refrigeration equipment, animal cages;
• Purchase of goods;
• Employee salaries;
• Taxes.

Prices for each item vary in cities, and also depend on the size of the store. On average, opening a medium-sized pet store before the crisis required 1.5-2 million rubles, and almost half of the funds were pledged for the purchase of goods.

Example #1

Calculation of expenses for the year (for opening a store with an area of ​​50 square meters, including the purchase of animals)

№	Name	Amount, rub.
1	Registration of LLC	4 000
2	Obtaining licenses and permits	2 000
3	Installation of air conditioners and fire alarms	30 000
4	Retail store equipment	200 000
5	Purchase of goods	1 600 000
6	Employee salary	960 000
7	taxes	140 000
8	Rent	840 000
	TOTAL:	3 176 000

The amount of revenue with this scale of the store is 200 - 300 thousand per month, in this scenario, the store will pay off in less than 1.5 years.

Conclusion

If, after all the calculations, you still decide to open your own pet store, then read a few of our tips:

• Be original

Come up with an unusual but memorable name, make a large sign and pointers to the store.

• Don't overprice

First you need to attract a client, this is possible with the help of discounts and promotions for opening, due to which a person will save significantly.

• Allocate an advertising budget

Put yourself in the customer's shoes, where do you see or hear an advertisement for a pet supply store? In public transport, in shopping centers, at bus stops. Use "guerilla marketing", hire a promoter and give out 200-300 discount cards with the name of the store and its address.

The key to success in any business is patience and daily work, so do not give up and develop your store, then it will start to bring good income.

More than half of the inhabitants of Russia keep animals or birds at home. Someone is limited to a cat or dog, others prefer fish, hamsters, guinea pigs or more exotic lemurs and snakes. At the same time, enthusiastic owners are more likely to save on their own lunch than limit pets in treats or toys.

Given these prospects, many enterprising animal lovers are wondering how to open a pet shop from scratch. There are no additional difficulties or nuances in this process, and the procedure is the same as for any other outlet: you need to register an enterprise, select a room, install windows and purchase goods. The only difference is that in addition to food, furniture and accessories, pets themselves can be sold here, and in terms of popularity, pet stores compete with grocery supermarkets, since 60% of the residents of neighboring houses are representatives of the target audience.

Business Features

There is an opinion that the main task of a pet store is to sell rodents, songbirds, fish, turtles and other pets. However, in reality, the situation looks somewhat different: it is the work with animals that gives the entrepreneur the greatest amount of inconvenience, since it is accompanied by a high risk of illness and even death of pets during transportation, due to the wrong choice of food or violation of the conditions of detention.

In addition, commercial equipment designed to keep and display animals in a store can hardly be called affordable: the prices for cage batteries and aquarium stands are ten times higher than the cost of ordinary showcases. Is it profitable to open your own pet store from scratch given these circumstances? Many businessmen consider such difficulties unjustified and limit the choice of pets in the windows to a few popular types of hamsters, or completely abandon the idea of ​​their implementation.

Indeed, in order to open a business, it is not necessary to equip a pet store with expensive aquariums and terrariums: the sale of related products - feed, fillers, accessories, equipment - also brings a good profit. Considering that the cost of keeping a thoroughbred cat or dog is 1,500–2,500 rubles per month, it can be assumed that an entrepreneur selling such products will not lack customers.

Finally, some of the risks and challenges associated with this line of business should be mentioned. In the question of whether it is profitable to open a pet store, often these factors are decisive:

• In large cities, the market for zoological goods is almost completely filled. Accordingly, the entrepreneur will have to enter into competition, look for free places in sleeping areas, or engage in the sale of rare and exclusive goods and animals;
• In small towns, residents of the private sector are usually not puzzled by the search for special pet food, preferring products from their own garden. Therefore, considering what is needed to open a pet store in such a locality, it is necessary to explore the possibility of combining a retail outlet with a veterinary office or pharmacy;
• There are no reliable methods for forecasting the demand for pet supplies. In each case, this information has to be collected empirically - to change the assortment, enter and withdraw positions, analyze the structure of daily and monthly turnover, be interested in the opinions of customers;
• Unskilled, incompetent or rude staff is the best way to permanently scare the customer away from the store. Therefore, experienced sellers who are sincerely passionate about animals must be found before opening a pet store from scratch: instructions recommend in such situations to pay attention to the presence of applicants of their own pets;
• Comfort is important for customers: the sale of pet products and animals is usually accompanied by strong noise and a characteristic smell. In addition, some entrepreneurs try to expand their assortment as much as possible and clutter up the trading floor, leaving no free passages. Accordingly, a clean, bright and spacious store is more likely to attract a customer, in which cages with parrots do not hang over the heads of visitors.

Point of sale format

The scale of the future outlet, as well as its assortment, is determined by the structure and volume of demand: it is important to be able to serve all potential buyers. In addition, when choosing a format, you need to remember how much it costs to open a pet store from scratch: an entrepreneur does not always have unlimited capital at his disposal. There are several types of retail outlets available to small businesses, classified according to size and investment required for their construction:

• Stall or pavilion. You can open a small pet store near a bus stop, at a metro station or at the intersection of major traffic flows. An area of ​​15–20 m² is enough to accommodate showcases with popular feed, fillers, accessories and other small items. In addition, such activities do not require licensing or other permits;
• Average store. In a retail outlet of this size, the buyer can be offered not only related products, but also several types of animals directly. On the question of how much money is needed to open a pet store, we are talking about an amount of one and a half million rubles - this is exactly the capital that is needed in order to equip a trading floor of 50–60 m² with everything necessary;
• Special shop. An entrepreneur can focus on a particular type of pet - for example, sell only aquariums, fish and everything to care for them, or products only for cats, dogs or rodents. In any case, narrow specialization will require the formation of the widest possible assortment and the hiring of qualified sellers who have knowledge in this area at the level of experts;
• Online store. Despite a small investment, opening an online pet store from scratch is often even more difficult than a regular outlet. Firstly, many customers need detailed advice from the seller before buying. Secondly, such stores must have significant competitive advantages - a loyal pricing policy or a wide range of products. Finally, the specifics of working with animals completely excludes the possibility of selling them through the site, even if there is a courier delivery. Therefore, a businessman is recommended to organize the work of a real outlet before opening an online pet store in addition to it.

Range

Unfortunately, there are no universal methods for forming the assortment of a pet store. Therefore, when compiling a list of goods, an entrepreneur must proceed from the solvency and preferences of a specific target audience.

Considering how much it costs to open a pet store from scratch, at the initial stage it is better not to buy everything at once in large quantities, but to limit the assortment to a couple of hundred of the most popular items, including:

1. Rodents (hamsters, rats, guinea pigs);
2. Birds (budgies, canaries);
3. Fish, turtles (no more than a dozen varieties);
4. Aquarium plants (five to six species);
5. Fillers and equipment for aquariums;
6. Well-known brands feed;
7. Feeders and drinkers for different types of animals;
8. Accessories for dogs (leashes, collars, muzzles);
9. Cages for birds and small animals;
10. Houses, mattresses, carriers and sharpeners for claws;
11. Trays, fillers for toilets and cages;
12. Brushes, tools for cutting wool and trimming claws;
13. Literature and reference books in paper and electronic versions;
14. Chemistry for animals (flea and tick remedies, shampoos);
15. Vitamins, feed additives, treats.

It is profitable to open a pet store with such an assortment: the average retail margin for goods is in the range of 45–50% (15–20% for feed, 40–60% for accessories and equipment, 120–150% for rare and exclusive products).

Activity registration

“I want to open a pet store, where should I start?” Entrepreneurs who have given preference to this business have a lot of questions about the legalization of activities. In fact, the sale of feed, accessories and related products is not subject to licensing - a typical set of documents is enough, the same for any outlet. This includes:

Permission to conduct activities issued by Rospotrebnadzor.

Sanitary documentation:

• Production and sanitary control program;
• Sanitary books of sellers;
• Contracts for the disinfection and disinfestation of the premises;
• Contract for the removal of garbage and waste;
• Logs of sanitary measures.

Fire safety documentation:

• Orders, instructions on compliance with security measures;
• Fire prevention plan;
• Evacuation plan;
• Regulations for the maintenance of warning and fire extinguishing devices;
• Personnel documentation (work books, staff list, employment contracts).

Statutory documents:

• SPD registration certificate;
• Certificate of assignment of TIN;
• Letter of assignment of OKVED codes;
• Technical passport of the premises from the BTI;
• Lease agreement or certificate of ownership;
• Consumer Corner (complaints book, text of the Consumer Rights Protection Law).

The process of selling animals is not complicated either: for each pet purchased by the store from suppliers or breeders, the nearest veterinary clinic receives a certificate in form No. 4, confirming the absence of various diseases, before being allowed to sell. If the animal was born directly in the store, then it is better to contact the regional branch of the Veterinary Administration with the question of the need to draw up such documentation.

In order to include veterinary drugs, which also include flea and worm remedies, in the assortment of the outlet, you will have to obtain a license worth about 7,500 rubles. Such a permit is issued to entrepreneurs who have fulfilled a number of conditions before opening a pet store: step-by-step instructions include filling out special registers, purchasing medical refrigeration equipment for storing medicines, and appointing a specialist with specialized education as the head of the enterprise.

Location

It is advisable to start the process of searching for premises simultaneously with the previous stage, since when processing some documents, you will have to indicate the address at which the store is located. Considering the available options, you need to take into account the chosen format of the outlet and the presence of nearby competitors.

To determine whether it is worth opening a pet store in a chosen location, first of all, you should study the location of the main points of attraction - bank branches, grocery supermarkets, markets, stops. Potential buyers are more likely to visit places where several problems can be solved at the same time, so the traffic here will be an order of magnitude higher. For the same reason, it is not recommended to open a store in courtyards, away from the main routes of residents of nearby houses. Rents in residential areas can reach 700-800 rubles per square meter per month.

It is better to open medium-sized and specialized stores on one of the central streets, since a wide range of products and the opportunity to look at animals in this case attract additional and casual buyers. Having a nearby veterinary clinic or pharmacy is considered a significant advantage: in fact, in this way, you can create a new point of attraction for pet lovers. In the center, the rent is somewhat higher - from 800 to 1500 rubles per month per square meter.

However, sections in large shopping centers are the most popular among entrepreneurs. The disadvantage of this option in the form of an increased rent (up to 2,000 rubles per month per square meter) is fully offset by the obvious advantages - high traffic and no need to raise funds for repair work in the premises.

Room preparation

Depending on financial capabilities, an entrepreneur may consider purchasing or long-term renting a suitable space. In this case, a good investment would be to purchase a well-located apartment on the ground floor, which, after being removed from the housing stock, is turned into a store - a porch is attached, a sign is installed, the interior space is divided into a trading floor, utility rooms and the manager's office.

Being engaged in the arrangement of the store, it is necessary to remember the specifics of the business: the sale of animals and feed is significantly different from the sale of clothing or food. Therefore, when carrying out repair work, you need to pay attention to the following factors:

• The majority of clients are adults and the elderly. Therefore, the outlet should be located in the basement or on the first floor. Too steep or high stairs will surely stop some buyers;
• Choosing the degree of illumination, the entrepreneur will have to solve a difficult problem: on the one hand, visitors like light stores more, and on the other hand, an excess of light causes discomfort and aggression in many animals. Therefore, a level of 200-300 lux at the level of the counters will be optimal;
• The room must be able to install a ventilation system with a capacity of at least 30 m³ / h for each person on the trading floor. It is advisable to slightly exceed this rate, since the specific smell from animals and feed often causes complaints not only from store visitors, but also from neighbors.

The requirements for the interior design of a pet store are not strict, since all the walls here are covered with shelves with goods. Therefore, in most cases, you can develop a project yourself or take the help of friends who have minimal artistic taste. Preference should be given to pastel shades, avoiding too saturated colors and white furniture, which in pet stores loses its original appearance in a matter of days.

Retail store equipment

For the arrangement of pet stores, two types of equipment are used - standard and specialized. The first is unified and can be used in any retail outlets: glass showcases, shelving made of metal and chipboard, racks, economy panels, counters. The second is exclusively for the sale of animals: this includes terrariums, aquarium stands, cages and cellular batteries.

It is quite difficult to purchase specialized equipment, since only a few enterprises are engaged in its manufacture, and the high price is due not only to the need to integrate climate control, ventilation, heating and lighting systems here, but also to the lack of competition among manufacturers.

In general, for a medium-sized store that will sell not only related pet products, but also several popular species of animals, birds and fish, you need to purchase and install:

Equipment for a pet shop with an area of ​​50 m²

Name	price, rub.	Quantity, pcs.	Amount, rub.
Shopping room
Rack with shelves	2500	8	20000
Perforated rack	3200	2	6400
Econompanel	4000	2	8000
Hook for economy panel	40	50	2000
Showcase glass	6000	2	12000
aquarium stand	104000	1	104000
Terrarium stand	45000	1	45000
Rack for 9 cells	90000	1	90000
Glass counter	2900	10	29000
Checkout counter	2600	1	2600
Buyer's corner	1200	1	1200
Air conditioner	18000	1	18000
Cash machine	15000	1	15000
Feed scales	2000	1	2000
Ventilation system	35000	1	35000
Lamp	750	10	7500
Security and fire alarm	15000	1	15000
Utility rooms
Table	3500	2	7000
Chair	1200	4	4800
PC or laptop	18000	1	18000
MFP	10000	1	10000
Warehouse rack	2500	2	5000
Closet	3000	1	3000
bathroom	10000	1	10000
Total:			470500

Staff

“I want to open a pet store - where do I start?” At the initial stage, an entrepreneur puzzled by such a question is recommended to take a direct part in the trading process - to stand at the counter, study the range of goods and consumer preferences, and think about improving customer service algorithms.

In the future, for a store of the indicated size, it is possible to hire three salespeople - two consultants working in shifts, and one senior, who will be replaced by the entrepreneur over the weekend. These employees must know the product and its characteristics perfectly, be able to advise customers and solve their problems, select the appropriate food, accessories and medicines.

In addition to sellers, it is advisable to hire a livestock specialist who will monitor the animals, feed them, clean the cages, and change the water in the aquariums. It is undesirable to shift these responsibilities to sellers, since being torn between serving customers and feeding hamsters, they will not be able to perform two jobs simultaneously with high quality and conscientiousness. Accordingly, the staffing of the outlet will look like this:

pet store staffing

Financial investments

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To determine how much it costs to open a pet store, you need to take into account its size and expected turnover, since it is these factors that determine the amount of equipment purchase costs and the amount of products needed to fill the outlet. For a medium-sized store with a monthly turnover of 500,000 rubles, the list of initial expenses includes:

Initial Costs

Considering the structure of monthly expenses, it can be noted that their main share will again be associated with the need to replenish the inventory:

Monthly expenses

Profit and profitability

Is it profitable to open your pet store from scratch? The profitability of a future outlet depends primarily on the correct choice of location and assortment. According to statistics, the average check for stores of this size is in the range of 400-600 rubles. Thus, an entrepreneur who can attract 45–55 customers per day will receive an income of 25,000 rubles. After the calculations of economic parameters, the payback period of the project will be determined, which in this case will reach two years.

Calculation of economic indicators

Index	Meaning
Monthly turnover, rub.	750000
Gross profit, rub.	250000
Monthly expenses, rub.

Alexander Kaptsov

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An interesting idea for a novice entrepreneur may be to open your own pet store. From an economic point of view, the attractiveness of such a business is quite obvious, because according to statistics, every third family has a cat, and every fifth family has a dog. There are also lovers of aquarium fish, birds and hamsters. The demand for pet products is stable at any time of the year, so we can talk about the profitability of the business. The main thing is to correctly determine the range of the desired products and draw up a competent business plan.

Opening a pet store: business pros and cons

As with any business activity, opening a pet store has its pros and cons:

Since there are still more advantages in opening this business, it makes sense to invest in a pet store. The decisive importance in the promotion of the idea is given to the competent territorial location of the premises and a carefully selected assortment.

What documents are needed to open a pet store from scratch - requirements and permits

In order to work calmly, and not wait for the arrival of regulatory authorities, it is better to immediately legalize your business.

How to start preparing all the necessary documentation:

1. Naturally, the first step should be the registration of an enterprise in the status of an LLC or individual entrepreneur. Registration as an individual entrepreneur is advisable if the area of ​​the pet store is less than 50 m2, and the planned turnover will be small. Registration of the status of a legal entity (LLC) makes it possible to conclude contracts with wholesale suppliers, obtain a license to sell medicines if there is a veterinarian in the staff.
2. The next step is to obtain permits from the SES and the fire inspectorate. They will be issued based on the report of commissions that will visit the establishment to verify its compliance with current regulations.
3. You will also need permits from the environmental society and the veterinary service.
4. License for the sale of veterinary drugs.
5. OKVED codes (47.76.2; 46.38.22; 46.11, etc.) and the optimal taxation system (USN or ENDV).
6. Registration of the cash register.

An entrepreneur will have to spend several months and about 70,000 rubles on collecting and processing the necessary documentation. Professionals will solve all issues faster.

What do you need to organize a pet store from scratch?

To start a pet store from scratch, you will need not only the official registration of the enterprise and obtaining work permits. We will have to solve a lot of organizational issues related to the choice of premises and the purchase of equipment, interior design and promotional activities, staffing and selection of assortment. But first things first.

Location

According to experts, the most successful option for the location of a pet store may be its placement in a veterinary clinic or on the territory of a hotel for animals. This is due to the fact that people with animals regularly come to such institutions. It is this category of visitors that is most interested in purchasing goods in a pet store.

If the implementation of such an option is unrealistic, then you can open a store in any other passage place, it is not necessary that these be the central streets. You can even rent a small room in a large shopping center or in a residential area.

The main thing is that the outlet is located on the ground floor of the building and has a front entrance, a sign over which can be used as an advertisement. It should be bright and memorable.

Pet shop space

To choose the right room for a pet store, first of all, you need to decide on its format:

• For the functioning of a small stall, 8-10 m2 is enough.
• An average pet store will require a room of 50-80 m2.
• Well, a supermarket for animals should be located on an area of ​​at least 100-150 m2. In this case, it is better for an entrepreneur to rent a separate one-story building.

With a sufficient area of ​​the pet store, the best solution would be to allocate thematic zones in it. For example, these can be departments: "All for cats", "Aquarium", "Clean paws", "Poultry" and so on. Store visitors will be able to more conveniently and purposefully decide on purchases.

To save money, it is best to rent a ready-made and adapted for work premises in a non-residential fund. This makes it easier to get all the necessary permissions and open your store faster.

Furniture and interior design

You rarely see interesting interior solutions in pet stores, and you can play on this to attract visitors. A colorfully designed façade with funny animal prints, as well as aquariums or bird cages displayed in the display windows, are likely to arouse shoppers' interest and desire to visit the store. Inside, the interior can be complemented by paintings of pets, funny plush toys “living” on the windowsills, and original furniture. Fresh flowers and plants will become an excellent decoration for the store and an excellent background for living creatures. Here's something you shouldn't skimp on!

Proper placement of cages, terrariums and aquariums will allow them to be viewed from all sides. The best option for their installation would be special podiums. If you suddenly want to update the interior, then shelving on wheels will come to the rescue. They can be moved in any direction, easily creating different compositions. However, without closed shop windows, a work table and counters, the list of furniture will be incomplete.

Reference . Only food and large items can be freely accessed. Veterinary drugs must be placed in closed display cases.

Equipment and inventory

As for the arrangement of a stall for the sale of feed, then equipping it is as easy as shelling pears. It is enough to install racks and table scales - that's all the equipment.

It will be more difficult to decide on a pet store, because the purchase will require significant costs:

• Refrigeration equipment (cabinet and showcase) - 77,000-80,000 rubles.
• Cash counter - 3,000 rubles.
• Animal heating lamps, UV radiation systems - 5 580-76 130 rubles / piece.
• Cages, aquariums, terrariums - from 1950 rubles / piece.

Moreover, ordinary cages used at home are not suitable for keeping animals in a store. They must have a certain margin of safety, be easy to clean, and so on.

The installation of electrical equipment will also be a costly part. But you can’t do without it, because many of the animals need lighting. If an entrepreneur still does not have enough funds or experience to keep large breeds, then at first he can start selling small animals - hamsters and budgerigars. They do not need special care and can be kept in regular cages.

Range

Professionals know how difficult it is to form the right assortment immediately after opening a store. Usually, this, taking into account the specifics of the region, takes about three months. At first, in order to establish a trade, you can borrow the experience of existing pet stores, and then use your own developments.

According to experts, the greatest profit for the business is brought by animal feed. Food for cats and dogs is best bought up, a little worse for rodents and birds. The second most popular product group is tray fillers and care products. The sale of cages, aquariums, food bowls, cat houses, pet care literature also brings some profit, but it does not compare with the sale of food. However, the assortment of the store should be varied, as the quantity and quality of goods affect the level of sales and profitability of the business.

The ratio of product groups in the assortment of the pet store as a percentage:

Staff

The selection of employees in a pet store is undoubtedly an important step in the development of a successful business. Moreover, this business is distinguished by a certain specificity - work with animals. That is why only people with a veterinary education can apply for the position of sales consultants. At a minimum, there should be 2 sales assistants in the store. Of the professional qualities they must have: sociability, desire to learn, knowledge of the topic. Salespeople will have to spend 40,000 rubles a month on salaries. plus 10% of revenue.

Who else to invite to work:

1. Store directors . At first, an entrepreneur can himself perform the functions of a director.
2. Veterinarian . It doesn't have to be enlisted. He can work independently, leading a private reception.
3. accountant . With a small turnover and in the process of promotion, accounting can be ordered from an outsourcing company. The monthly cost of such a service will cost 2,600-3,300 rubles.
4. Cleaning woman . The salary of a cleaner is usually 12,000 rubles.

If the store will be a family affair, then try to manage on your own, without involving outsiders.

Marketing and advertising of a pet store: how to promote a business from scratch?

Even the best pet store should take care of the proper advertising for its promotion at the start of the project.

When asking the question of how to promote a business from scratch, you can get many solutions:

• The original design of shop windows and bright signs will certainly attract the attention of passers-by to the store.
• Posting advertisements at stops, billboards and in transport will cover a significant resource of potential buyers.
• Promotion of the store through social networks and thematic groups on the Internet will expand the audience of customers.

In addition, it would be a good idea to conduct all kinds of PR campaigns:

1. Food tasting events.
2. Promotional programs such as "Buy two products for the price of one", "Make a purchase, get a gift".
3. Bonuses and discounts for regular customers.

Ready business plan for a pet store from scratch: calculation of profitability and costs

In its most general form, a business plan is presented as follows: