Pet Supplies

The pet supply industry grows by about $2 billion each year in the United States, making it a reliable earner for entrepreneurs. Pet owners from the Atlantic to the Pacific show love to their companions with treats, toys and other accessories. While Internet stores have accounted for some of this growth, the neighborhood pet store remains a fixture in many American cities. Major cities have independent and chain pet stores that serve several purposes for pet owners.

Significance

For dog, cat and bird owners, the local pet store is significant for several reasons. A reliable pet store serves as a free resource for information on pet products that can be customized to an owner's needs. The employees at the typical pet store take store clerk and grooming positions because they love animals. This commitment to working with animals means that pet owners can trust neighborhood stores with their dogs and cats while they return to work. Pet owners can also save hundreds of dollars on vet fees by asking basic health and product information from store clerks instead of making appointments.

Function

The essential functions of a pet store include grooming, pet training courses and an extensive inventory of pet products. Pet groomers work in special sections of a store to shave, shampoo and clip nails on dogs and cats. Store managers may conduct basic obedience training while outside experts enter the store occasionally to help difficult pets. The typical pet store carries pet treats, food, toys, carriers and novelties to help pet owners keep their companions healthy and happy. Some stores also carry small animals like fish, reptiles and rodents for adoption by first-time pet owners.

Types

The two types of pet stores in the United States are chain stores and independently operated shops. National chains like Petco and Petsmart have hundreds of outlets nationwide with similar inventories to help owners find their favorite products despite their location. These chains have hurt independent pet stores run by local entrepreneurs and families who have helped their neighbors take care of pets for decades. Independent pet stores typically sell food and treats at higher prices than national chains but can order custom products for regular customers.

Features

Aside from aisles of pet food and toys, pet stores also have sections for oversized products, newborn animals and aquatic animals. The oversized product section of a pet store contains dog beds, cat furniture and travel carriers that cannot be properly displayed in regular aisles. Pet stores display puppies and kittens in special glass cases to attract pet owners looking for young companions. Larger stores will have entire sections devoted to goldfish, betas and angelfish along with fish supplies like tanks, filters and foods needed for healthy aquatic pets.

Considerations

Pet store owners need to think about store cleanliness along with the trend toward natural pet food as they open their businesses. Every pet store needs to be swept, disinfected and kept free of debris as pets walk through for grooming and obedience classes. The grooming area and play area needs to be cleaned frequently to maintain sanitary standards set by state agencies. Store owners can show their commitment to pet health by stocking shelves with green and natural products. Companies like Companion Natural Pet Food and Greenies carry products in multiple flavors to aid digestion without using unhealthy ingredients.