Time to Open a Pet Store: What You Need to Know Before Taking the Plunge

Do you love pets? If so, starting a pet store or pet supply business is exciting and can be quite a lucrative career. It is certainly rewarding—the opportunity to connect people and their pets with healthy foods and treats and high-quality grooming services simply feels good. After all, we all know how much people love their pets. 

So, if you have decided to open a pet store, especially a Pet Evolution Franchise, it’s important to know the process and how long it will take before your store actually opens.

Opening a pet store can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. It depends on many things. We’ve compiled some insights to help you manage your expectations throughout the process. And if we haven’t mentioned it yet, we’re so glad you are considering joining the Pet Evolution Franchise team!

Getting Started: Conception and Planning to Open a Pet Store 

The first phase is all about ideation. This is where you are considering if starting a business is right for you. And if you do, you need to decide what type of pet store you want to open. Do you want to sell pets? Or, do you want to focus on selling healthy foods and offering services that pet owners need, such as dog washes, pet grooming, and mobile nail trims. 

Ultimately, in these early stages, you must ensure your idea will stand out in the market. Conducting thorough market research is integral. This involves understanding local pet product and service demand and identifying your competition. Tools like online surveys, local demographics data, and social media can provide valuable insights into what pet owners in your area are looking for.

Developing a solid business plan is next on your list. This plan should cover everything from how much money you expect to make to how you’ll reach your customers. Consider that the typical dog has expenses of more than $1,500 a year, and much of that is in food, supplements, toys, and other wellness items that you will likely carry in your store (not to mention grooming and nail trims).

Your business plan should detail your financial goals, marketing strategies, and your store’s day-to-day operations. Understanding the legal side of things is also important. This means choosing the right business structure, like a sole proprietorship, a corporation, or becoming part of a franchise, and getting all the necessary permits and licenses. It’s also important to get to know the regulations specific to the pet industry in your area to ensure your store complies with all laws.

Phase Two: Securing Your Finances 

After laying the groundwork with a solid plan, the next step in opening your pet store is securing the finances to make your dream a reality. The road from concept to opening day requires a significant investment. 

Depending on the scale and location, the total initial investment for a pet supply store with Pet Evolution can range from $635,200 to $988,800. This includes a $59,000 initial franchise fee for those opting to open a Pet Evolution Franchise under a single-unit agreement. 

Several funding options are available, including using personal savings, taking out loans, or finding investors. Each option has advantages and considerations, and choosing the right one depends on your financial situation and business goals.

Budgeting accurately is a non-negotiable. You’ll need to account for everything from inventory and staffing to the lease for your location and other startup costs. A detailed budget, outlined in your business plan, helps you manage your finances effectively and ensure you have the funds needed for a successful launch.

Phase Three: Location and Design 

Choosing the right location for your pet store can make or break its success. Look for areas that meet the following criteria: 

• Heavy foot traffic (lots of consumers)
• Easy accessibility from the road
• Ample parking
• Proximity to your target customer

The ideal spot is visible and convenient for pet owners. Consider near a popular park or within a busy shopping center where your location has an exterior entrance.

Once you’ve secured the perfect location, the next step is designing your store. Creating a welcoming and functional layout is necessary to draw customers in and provide them with a great shopping experience. Here are some simple criteria:

• Wide aisles that make it easy for customers to navigate
• Clear signage and sections for different types of products 

Consider the needs of pets and their owners alike, ensuring aisles are wide enough for shoppers with dogs and shelves are accessible.

Phase Four: Inventory and Supplier Management 

If you are opening a pet store from scratch, you’ll need to consider the types of products you plan to sell. And, since your assortment can’t contain everything and everything, this is a very discerning process. Determine the niche of customers you are catering to and ensure you offer the products and services they seek.

Consider the following product categories:

• Healthy food 
• Treats and chews
• Nutritional supplements
• Health and wellness items
• Feeding and watering supplies
• Bedding and pet furniture
• Cleaning and odor control
• Toys 
• Small animal supplies

This is where franchise ownership with Pet Evolution becomes especially appealing. We’ve already done all the heavy lifting when selecting the right brands and working with excellent suppliers. We’ll work with you on store set-up, planograms, merchandising, and everything else. 

Phase Five: Marketing and Grand Opening

Once you have worked through the previous phases, it’s time to start marketing your new store. You can start several months in advance to promote the grand opening and create awareness. 

Effective marketing strategies include leveraging social media platforms to reach a broad audience, local advertising in community newspapers and online to target potential customers in your area, and engaging with the community through sponsorships or participation in local events. These efforts spread the word and establish your store as a community-centric and people-centric business.

When leading up to your grand opening, consider the following activities:

• Organizing events involving the community before your doors officially open
• Host informational booths at local pet-related events
• Offer sneak peeks of your store
• Participate in charity events to show your commitment to pets and their owners in your community

For the grand opening itself, plan an event that stands out. Think about special promotions, fun activities for pets and their owners, and maybe even guest appearances from local celebrities or influencers in the pet world. Ensure the event highlights your store’s uniqueness and demonstrates your commitment to the pet community. A successful grand opening can create a lasting impression. It’s intended to attract a steady flow of customers and establish a strong local presence.

Here’s a quick checklist to ensure a successful grand opening.

• Finalize Date and Time: Choose a weekend or evening for better potential customer turnout.
• Permits and Licenses: Secure local permits to ensure your event complies with city regulations.
• Budget Planning: Set aside funds for decorations, promotional materials, and event-day activities.
• Marketing and Promotion: Utilize social media, local advertising, and press releases to spread the word.
• Decorations and Signage: Plan clear signage for promotions and store layout.
• Entertainment and Activities: Arrange pet-friendly activities that are appropriate for humans of all ages.
• Staffing: Schedule additional staff to manage the flow of traffic.
• Inventory and Merchandising: Ensure your inventory is fully stocked.
• Freebies: Have branded goodies ready for customers to take home—think refrigerator magnets, branded poop bags, or other usage items that will keep your pet store top of mind.
• Community Engagement: Involve local pet communities and organizations to build community ties. See if the mayor or another community official will attend the ribbon-cutting, and don’t forget to contact the local newspapers.
• Dry Run: Conduct a trial run to identify and address potential issues beforehand.
• Feedback Mechanism: Set up a simple way for attendees to provide feedback on their experience.

Ready to Get Started? The Next Pet Evolution Location Has Your Name On It!

All in all, it takes six to eight months to work through these phases with Pet Evolution. However, as we suggested earlier, it can vary based on the site’s readiness and the time it takes to secure financing, set up your store, and hire your dream team. Remember, you’re not in it alone. We offer structured support to help you achieve your goals.

• Advice on selecting the right location, construction of your store, sourcing equipment, installing signage, and acquiring your initial stock.
• In-depth training at the Pet Evolution corporate office, featuring both hands-on and classroom learning experiences.
• On-location support to assist with opening your pet store.
• Continuous education and regular support visits to oversee your Pet Evolution’s marketing, operational, financial, and maintenance needs.
• We provide detailed vendor lists for supplies and equipment approved by us (including products, pet food, uniforms, etc.).
• An exclusive operations manual that outlines crucial processes, stock management, marketing strategies, and customer service practices.
• Our team recommends premier technology solutions for inventory management, scheduling and payroll, point-of-sale systems, accounting, and security measures.
• Robust marketing assistance offering strategies for local advertising efforts, online presence management, and more.

Do you think you’re the next Pet Evolution Franchise owner? If so, click on Get Started today.