PetEdge Grooming Question: How Do I Add Retail To My Grooming Shop?

Compact, attractive displays of consumable products are great for beginning retailers

Many of the pet groomers that we talk to say that they'd like to add some retail items to their grooming shop, but they aren't sure where to start.

The idea of making some extra money is nice, but many groomers feel overwhelmed by all the different product choices, or reluctant to add another set of responsibilities to their already hectic workday.

But adding retail to your shop doesn't have to be so scary. It can be easy if you start small, plan ahead, and take a proactive approach to marketing and merchandising. 

Putting Together a Retail Plan

Here are a few questions to consider before you get started:

• How much room do I have to dedicate to retail?
• How much money do I want to invest in getting it started?
• How much do I need to make on retail to consider it a success?
• How will I manage it? Will I do it myself? Or will I add another staff member?
• What additional licenses, permits and tax forms do I need to get before starting to sell?

Making an Order

Once you figure out how much space you have to work with, how much you want to invest in the program, and how you're going to run it, you can start ordering retail products for your shop.

We recommend starting with some small, low-cost items that your customers are likely to need on a regular basis.

This includes:

• Collars
• Leads
• Harnesses
• Treats
• Toys
• Finishing Sprays
• Nail Files
• Nail Polish
• Bows
• Bandanas
• Grooming Tools
• Toothbrushes
• Ear, Eye and Cleanup Wipes
• Waterless Shampoo
• Food and Water Bowls

If you're still not sure where to start, leave out a suggestion sheet asking your clients to tell you what items they'd be interested in buying, or ask customers when they come in to pick up or drop off their pets.

Getting Started in Your Shop

Once that first shipment of retail items arrives, take time to arrange the products in an appealing and well-organized way.

As professional pet stylists, you already have an eye for style, a knack for details and a flair for the dramatic. Use these skills to create compelling retail displays.

You can also search online for "suggestions for displaying retail items." There are lots of helpful blogs and how-to articles that can provide advice on placement, arrangement, lighting, location and more.

But it's not enough just to put the products out there and hope that customers will buy them. You have to tell customers why they should be buying them.

That's why signage is key. You can create demand for your products simply by adding signs to each retail display.

One sign could encourage customers to reward their pet after a grooming session by buying them a new toy or treat.

Another sign could encourage your clients to keep their dogs "fresh from the grooming shop clean" by stocking up on waterless shampoo, finishing sprays, ear wipes and eye wipes.

Our nail file display is perfect for impulse sales

The Importance of Appearances

Pay close attention to your retail displays to ensure that they always look their best. If possible, keep products away from direct sunlight so the packaging or material doesn't fade. This will limit the product's appeal by making it look old before it's time.

Make sure to devote a few minutes each day to dusting, cleaning and organizing your shelves. You'd be surprised by the difference that an attractive presentation makes in determining whether a product will sell.

If you can present your customers with an attractive array of reasonably priced products that they need (or want) for their pets, the sales should come.

Small toys can be a great way for customers to reward their pets after grooming

Evaluate As You Go

Once your retail program is up and running and you get a better sense of what will sell and what won't, you can adjust your approach to cater to the tastes of your customers.

This might be the time to explore bringing in more big ticket items like beds, carriers, crates and apparel if you think the market is there for them.

Your Turn

Do you have a retail success story that you'd like to share with us? Post your comments on the blog or on our Facebook page. We'd love to hear from you.

Thanks and happy grooming :)