With 67% of Americans owning at least one pet, pet stores can count on a high demand for their products and services. As a result of the “humanization of pets,” more pet owners are willing to pay premium prices for premium-grade pet products. This growing trend, in which pet owners treat pets as members of their families, has helped the pet store sector to remain virtually recession-proof even in financially challenging times.
Suppose you have decided that owning a pet store is the right option for your next business venture. In that case, you have two primary routes to consider: opening a franchise location or starting an independent brand. To be sure, either of these two options can be successful. However, there are many advantages to joining forces with an existing franchise.
Instant Trust
Pets play such an important role in the lives of their owners, so you want to make sure customers have a reason to trust you right from the start. That might be hard to achieve if you start a new brand in the market and has no reputation. But, on the other hand, with a brand that is already known and trusted to pet owners in other areas, you’ll have immediate legitimacy, and you should have an easier time bringing in customers at the start.
An Established Direction
There are so many ways you can go with a pet store business. Are you going to offer everything pet owners need or just work in one specific niche? Will you sell high-end toys and treats or focus on the budget end of the market? These decisions can be hard to make, but they are mainly for you when opting for a franchise. The franchise brand will have a model in place, and you can follow that model as you get started.
A Marketing Plan
If you are coming to this new venture from working in the pet industry, you might understand the products and services pet owners want, but you might not know the first thing about marketing. Again, this is where the power of a franchise helps you out. With a marketing plan to lean on that has been proven to work in other places, you won’t be all on your own in a competitive market.
