Would it possibly be a good idea to print out a little survey or opinion sheet for your regular customers that have other pets?
Maybe a, “We are planning to bring pet products to our store, as a faithful customer what would you like to see available on a regular basis?”
In winter, maybe paw friendly de-icer [ie a salt alternative?]
When I go to the specialty pet store on the other side of town I buy cat food because they stock a lot of different brands of grain free canned food that isn’t found much. They also have a catalog of good sturdy cat trees that you can order and pick up there. It’s hard to find the ones that have a lot of wood that really last a long time.
Freeze dried raw treats, catnip toys, catnip, and inexpensive cat toys.
This times 1,000! Heavyweight, good quality dog blankets in extra-large sizes are IMPOSSIBLE to find, and when I need them, I need them now. Doofus will always lose his just when it’s scheduled to be cold/sleety/rainy/snowy the next day.
And for the love of Pete, keep them in stock until winter is over . . . I went to Atwood’s (like Tractor Supply) last December to find one. Just one in Doofus’ size. I asked when more would be coming in, knowing it would be a week or so before I needed a new one. “Um - they’re seasonal.” “Yes. So when will they be in?” “Well - they’re seasonal.” Me: “Okay. So . . .” “Well, we won’t get more in, probably. They’re seasonal.”
By that time, I had no response other than :eek: Winter weather lasts through March, after all.
The only time I do big box pet stores is Petsmart for a pooper scooper that I like that Amazon doesn’t carry.
Otherwise, I patronize a small, locally owned pet store. I’ve gotten crates (twice) and it’s where I always get my dog food (Froome and The Honest Kitchen) as well as Mother Hubbards (I think it is) dog cookies. Not often toys as most of the toys aren’t terrier “suitable” 
Leashes etc I usually get on-line as I’m looking for something specific and their selection isn’t endless and I don’t “dress up” my pups (I think they would die from embarrassment although my one boy has a very pretty purple patterned harness for walks.
They also have in-house grooming and I patronize that.
They will also bring the food out to the car if you call in advance which, for me, is awesome as PITA in a w/c to get in/out the door and they’d have to probably carry the bag of food out to my car anyway. They know me and they know my pups
So many great ideas and thoughts thanks guys! I’m getting really excited about this and found the perfect spot in our store to make into our pet area. While I do sell some of our current dog stuff to the horse people that come in I really want to let non horse people know about us. I’m thinking of having a second grand opening for our pet products by having an adoption event for the spca in the store. I’ll have to talk to them about how something like that would work. I would love to some day create a dog training center/tack shop combo…but I think I’ll start with this first and see how it goes
So many times, I have wished that the specialty dog/cat stores sold crickets… More people have pet reptiles than most realize!
That’s a hard thing to stock in quantities… it’s hard to know how many you will sell… and having them hanging around from this winter to next cause you ordered too many takes up valuable storage space a store may not have.
Now if they could have ordered you one and had it in their store 2 days later, that would have been a good, customer friendly solution, perhaps.
I would start with consumables. Not dog food, but anything you have to buy over and over, treats, toys, etc. I would also ask customers what things they would like to see. If I am in a tack store, I am there for the pony, so would not spend a lot of money on the dog, unless it’s something I know I will have to buy soon, like training treats. JMHO
The pet supplies will not be marketed toward horse people. Yes some horse people do buy dog stuff while here but we’re right in the middle of a town where the closest place to buy anything for dogs or cats is a 15 minute drive away. I have the space and the ability to fill a need in the market and will be advertising this with the local pet parent, not horse people
Flea and tick supplies - with some natural options like diatomaceous earth and maybe even those amber collars.
I paid $200 for my dog’s bed. The reason, the cheap beds at Walmart, last around 6-12 months for about $40 each, so I did the math. Over 5 years I would have bought $200 worth of beds. The brand I bought is called Serta comes with a 10 year warranty to last 10 years
I paid $200 for my dog’s bed. The reason, the cheap beds at Walmart, last around 6-12 months for about $40 each, so I did the math. Over 5 years I would have bought $200 worth of beds. The brand I bought is called Serta and comes with a 10 year warranty to last 10 years
Part of it will depend on if you are marketing to dog owners whose dogs are general pets, or to horse owners who have farm dogs/hunting dogs.
For either group:
Cotton-web leashes – 6 ft and 15 ft. Much easier on your hand than nylon, less bulky than leather.
Training collars – good quality
ID tags
Bitter Apple
Simple Solution Pet Odor Remover – enzymatic cleaner
CET Virbac toothpaste
Good shampoo – Chris Christensen
Cool mats (gel filled)
Squeaky toys – all kinds
Stuffed toys
Toys that have/can be refilled with plastic bottles
Kongs, Gummabones, Nylabones
Bully sticks
Smoked bones (NOT pork bones! supermarkets sell them but they splinter easily)
Vet wrap (which you would have on the tack shop side, I’m sure!)
Paw booties for injuries or protection (thin vinyl ones)
Health items such as dental care stuff, over the counter meds like kaopectate, ear care, wound care, first aid items, anti-itch products, cone alternatives like soft cones
Supplements – especially for skin and coat, joints
Grooming clippers (yep, Andis or whatever you would have for horses)
Dremels and nail clippers
Underground fence kits
Bark collars
If you want boutique-type stuff for pet owners:
Bandanas
Fancy flat buckle collars
Fancy treats
Treat pouches to clip to a belt or waist
Night visibility items like LED collars and tags
Dog food storage containers
Cat water fountains
Door mats or placemats for food bowls
Collaspible soft nylon crates
Car seat covers
Belly bands (for males who mark, usually toy breeds)
Panties for females in heat
If you have hunting dog owners (dunno, but maybe…):
Retrieving bumpers
Ecollars (not the cheap ones)
Skunk smell remover? LOL
Anything in bright orange or camo! 
NOTHING by Hartz!!! :dead: LOL
I haven’t read this entire thread so apologies if I’m repeating stuff that has already been said.
I love pet stores for anything that comes in different sizes (beds, crates, chews, etc.) because then I can use it as a fun outing and just bring my dog with me and we can figure out what will be a good size for us. I never have good luck ordering that stuff online.
I also like pet stores with stuff that I might need in a pinch. Flea and tick stuff, food, treats. Doesn’t have to be massive bags, but just something that if I forget to order it online, I can pop in and grab it if I need it.
I’m also a sucker for those cute fancy treats and will probably buy a few of those if I see them.
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