Next steps and where's best for advice

[Sarah Atkinson]

Hello,

I've been open now for 5 years and the Petshop has steadily grown in business, we're just branching out into the equine side, we cater for all the small animals, aquatics and reptiles (basic equipment, food etc) and poultry, we'll try and get anything in people want,

Our biggest rivals are B&M bargains and poundland, there's only a 3 local pet shops within reach of us. 2 with livestock one with just stock same as me,

I'm looking now at how to develop and grow the business, there is the possibility of getting next door and knocking through if finances allow

so my question is, what suggestions or advice can people give me, we've contemplated aquatics, grooming (renting space out) or creating actual floor space for the equine side.
Is online selling worth it? we've a pretty large, well established shop in the next town and they have now taken on a warehouse due to online sales taking off
There's a good size population around that ave horses and no local shops, nearest is Croston Corn Mill and Oakfield Saddlery.
Nearest aquatic specialist is 10-15 minutes drive from my town, so there is a possibility there for us.

Social media, we have twitter page and facebook page, but not enough activity, I need idea's etc to keep the page interactive and publicising the shop.

I'm on with getting some leaflets printed so I can start leafleting the area.

I feel the shop is looking dated now and want to move things around, we've nothing picture wise on the walls so I'm wondering if it's feeling a little lost and impersonal.

We try and keep away from the supermarket brands as they simply don't sell, though we've thought it may be worth getting a few lines in to see how they go.

Our prices are extremely competitive, being the cheapest in the area for the major brands,

We've 2 local papers, 1 paid one free which has very little circulation these days, is it worth putting in a large advert? we've tried in the past with small adverts with money off coupons but never had any response from them.

I've never in the 5 years had any contact with my bank manager, so not sure where the best place is to go for advice on growing the business, our local council have people we can contact, but I've heard from one person that the advice isn't always that great, for example, one got told to close his quiet days to keep his bills down, he ended up only opening on weekends and didn't last long!

Any help or suggestions would be great fully received
Thanks

 

[madams_ba]

First thoughts are - do some surveys in the local area to find out what people want/need. Last thing you want to do is knock thriugh the next door and stock it with things that don't sell.

 

[myfairworld]

First thoughts are - do some surveys in the local area to find out what people want/need.

Yes but be very careful about this. There is a huge difference between what people say they want and how they will actually behave when it becomes available.

 

[madams_ba]

True. But I wouldn't be as blunt as asking what they want. I would ask what their problems are with lack of availability (if that makes sense). Of course you have to take everything with a pinch of salt and create value thereafter. Which I'm sure you know from your already successful business. Best of luck in whatever you decide to do though.

 

[madams_ba]

Oh and on the newspaper side of things. My view is that the best adverts are those that look like news and portray news. But these are difficult to make work for responsive marketing.