View Full Version : Future Plan
Howsit
I have a plan to open an aquarium pet shop in the future (after my studies) and was wondering what the public would want in a lfs that they dont get in the already open lfs's.
Please give me your ideas and i will def get back to you.
It would be really nice to have a lfs that actually ORDERS the fish you want, especially if their supplier has the fish on their list......
Ooh- and if they stocked live food that would be an added bonus - before we started our culture we really struggled to find any live foods available in the LFS.
thank you veegal.
the lfs that i go to ordered all my fish for me. i found that if i went to the smallest lfs that there is you get the best service coz they get to know you better and there is a closer relationship with you than a big lfs that only takes you as a customer not as a friend. "A very good marketing strategy". But some times it is better to interact with your customer on a personal basis.
i am not trying to be mean but i see that i have 11 views and i only 1 reply why dont more people give me there ideas?
lithosza
07-06-2009, 06:05
What I would like in a pet shop:
- DONT sell any dyed fish
- DONT sell non-aquatic plants as aquatic plants
- Always give the latin names for the species of fish and the collection code if possible
- Always give the latin names for each plant that you sell
- Include some killifish species now and then :)
dont keep dead/sick fish, that is the biggest put off for me
keep a good selection of fish
rogerrabbit
07-06-2009, 09:45
It’s most probably not what you sell, but the way you sell it. Obviously a nice wide variety, and the odd strange or collector’s fish does add to your popularity. But do not overdo it with the strange or expensive and skimp on your cheap bread and butter fish. Remember 20% of your stock will make 80% of your profit and 80% of your stock will only bring in 20% profit. Variety of choice is most probably what most of us want, that plus friendly, knowledgeable assistance. And the shop must at least look as if you know what you are doing.
Again my opinion
Take some tips from the forum: NEVER TALK DOWN TO YOUR CUSTOMER, generally nobody likes it.
Let's face it... when you dealing with live stock... you are bound to find problems... especially if your suppliers are plentiful.
A pet store that earned my highest respect is a pet store in my area that has 3 or 4 quarantine tanks that are actually part of their displayed fish. Meaning, when they find a sick fish, they don't just ignore it and hope it sells to some ignorant idiot. But rather move it to their quarantine tank, where the public are able to see the symptoms of the illness, how they are treating it, etc etc. They have a notice stuck to the tank which states, "Fish in this tank are not for sale, but are in quarantine for XYZ Please speak to our assistants if you require further information on XYZ"
Just those small extra's make a big difference.
Gert Combrink
07-06-2009, 11:11
What I would like in a pet shop:
- DONT sell any dyed fish
- DONT sell non-aquatic plants as aquatic plants
- Always give the latin names for the species of fish and the collection code if possible
- Always give the latin names for each plant that you sell
- Include some killifish species now and then :)
I fully aggree with the above!
Send any dyed fish back to the suppliers
Keep only parrots that eat parrot seed and have feathers!
Send any "balloon" fish on a diet or back to suppliers:blink1:
Live food for any reputable lfs is a must!
My 2 cents...
Gert.
Let's face it... when you dealing with live stock... you are bound to find problems... especially if your suppliers are plentiful.
A pet store that earned my highest respect is a pet store in my area that has 3 or 4 quarantine tanks that are actually part of their displayed fish. Meaning, when they find a sick fish, they don't just ignore it and hope it sells to some ignorant idiot. But rather move it to their quarantine tank, where the public are able to see the symptoms of the illness, how they are treating it, etc etc. They have a notice stuck to the tank which states, "Fish in this tank are not for sale, but are in quarantine for XYZ Please speak to our assistants if you require further information on XYZ"
Just those small extra's make a big difference.
I think this is brilliant! Hats off to them :blink1:
Thank you so much for all your input and suggestions.
I will definitely strive to do all that is asked for and will hopefully become one of the best LFS's around, catering to everyone's needs!
Steve
brentnorm
07-06-2009, 14:43
When and where are you expecting to start up your new vunture?
Extend your aquatic plant variety & selection. If you don't have it, get it. There's a huge market for aquatic plants.
Fish - Torpedo Barbs & Redtailed Sciccortails would be nice to see :)
JaguarCichlid
07-06-2009, 23:02
If you dont know, dont suck it outta your thumb!!!!
The amount of times that I've been told B*&^sh$t about a fish to be caught like a sucker.....
Good old fashioned service.
A smile on your face when your customer walks in (Even if you havin a bad day)
Clean shop
No dead fish in your tanks
and a good range to offer
A big sign outside that says that advice is free, the rest you pay for.... So many of the lfs's expect you to buy from them every time you walk in the door and ask a question....
Good luck, you are starting off the right way, ask the enthusiasts what they want.
I am studding a business manage course at the moment so that my father will fund me. Once I have completed that I will start to look for a place. It will be in durbz. Don’t know which area in drubs yet but going to look at the market for the best place.
[quote]
solex69Extend your aquatic plant variety & selection. If you don't have it, get it. There's a huge market for aquatic plants.
I agree with Solex69, especially here in Durban it is difficult to find good quality plants, i have travelled all over to try and find plants, eventualy found some in a small lps in Hillcrest. oh yes, dont have a sales pitch, that just pisses me off, if i am there for plants dont try and sell me a Marine Tank, Good Luck
Fish Fantasy
08-06-2009, 09:54
Well i would like a lfs that can help a newby who has no experience at all with fish keeping from start to finish. Expalin the full cycle, the in's & outs and warn them not to put fish in to the tank before it has cycled to a degree or put in one or two fish to help it cycle. I got caught that way when i started the lfs gave me all the equipment and alot of fish and i couldn't understand why the fish were dying i made that lfs rich, he totally robbed me blind and made me feel useless. It wasn't a good experience!
theosmit
16-06-2009, 00:58
Good advice here by the others...My two cents:
happy and loyal customers will come back again and again and again. And they spend almost every time. Even if it is R20. Some days it will be hundreds if not thousands. That should be with you...So spend the time with your customers and don't rip them off. We have a LFS in Cape Town that really push a sale to the point where you just want to get out. Stock is important, but get the customer to come to you 1st.
Regarding Stock: Except for a handfull of plants that is seen everywhere most LFS don't stock much of a variety...not sure if the $$$$ does not add up or whether it is availability.
thanks theo. i will have a look into that and i will get back to you about the plants.
marketing is key also, when people think of LFS your store should come to mind.
corylyle1
16-06-2009, 12:35
I agree with speedz!! I would like a fish shop to be neat! I hate it when there are shelves and shelves of accessories all over the place!! I would also like to see the names of the fish/plants next to the tank and their diet, compatible tank mates etc!! It adds a really good touch!
rogerrabbit
17-06-2009, 16:28
Knowledge is the power. If you do not know, dont BS. Maybe invest in some good books, leave them in your shop on a prominent place, if you are busy or stump't your customer can page through the books as well. Hardly any one of us go shopping with our books, but all of us have at some time or another wished we had.
Knowledge is the power. If you do not know, dont BS. Maybe invest in some good books, leave them in your shop on a prominent place, if you are busy or stump't your customer can page through the books as well. Hardly any one of us go shopping with our books, but all of us have at some time or another wished we had.
Brilliant idea! No-one knows EVERYTHING and I have much more respect for those who admit this and are willing to check up the information you require rather than try and spew nonsense and expect you to believe it.
Def will do that. i am thinking of having a touch screen system that will have as much info on the fish i have in my shop. I will type out all my ideas and will post it here, does anybody know of the name of that rugby players LFS in cape town. I want to do something like that but better as in do what my customers needs and not what i think they need.
does anybody know of the name of that rugby players LFS in cape town.
They are called NAAC (new age aquaculture).
My plan is to have an aquarium shop that will cater to everyone’s needs. I will have a suggestion area, so that the customer can leave their comments and suggestions on what they would like to see, and have available at their request and what they think would benefit the fish in the long term. I will also have about 3 or 4 touch screen monitors that will be for the customer to get information on what type of tank and mates they can keep with there wanted fish. The screens will also be there for customers like me who are too scared of asking what they need and how much it will cost if they want to setup a salt or freshwater tank in all sizes. There will be a big board of the black listed fish and plants for people to be informed. I would also want to find out if there is a company or person to contact if the customer knows of a place that sells or distributes the fish or plants in anonyms or known. I will have as many assistants on the floor to help people in a non sales way. I will offer advice to all my customers, as that is what I am passionate about – “helping people”, and if I make a sale “it’s a bonus”. I will have tanks that have fish from the most common to the rarest, and the rarest will only be on sale unless you can prove to me that you are experienced in fish keeping (is that alright to have that attitude?). I will maybe have tanks for children to see how guppies are bred and posters of other fish. I will have as many plants in stock as possible, and will grow my own in tanks in the middle of the shop floor for the customer to learn about the different stages of the plants’ life. I want to be able to build tanks to the customers’ specs but I will need to have an experienced person doing that. If I have left anything out, please tell me.
rogerrabbit
17-06-2009, 19:34
You know IMHO bigger is not always better. I am the type of person that buys meat from the butcher, not Pn? ,fill my script at the local pharmacy and not the Hyper/super/clickedy whatever. So my idea of the perfect petshop is the cosy personal shop that can fulfill all your needs, looks like a lfs and gives friendly service. I have seen twice in 2 different towns, one on the east rand and in Potch where the small local friendly guy withstood the onslaught of the big multi bucks outlets. Not only withstood the onslaught, but their business actually grew in the face of this massive competition. Both where out stocked, out decorated and out financed and in both cases the opposition fell, because these guys where small enough to care about their customers just as much as they cared about making money.
The short of this is do not overdo it, start small, start correct, keep it manageable.
Hmm lol now I feel like a right old (Afrikaans) box. But I understand what you are saying. Rather start small and slowly grow your business. The only problem is there is so many small pet shops in Durban and a huge one in Springfield park that if I don’t start with something different my business is sure to die.
What is Rep power: 1
rogerrabbit
17-06-2009, 22:44
Dont apologise for your thoughts your feelings and never, ever, ever apologise for your dreams.
You have visionary ideas and I truly hope your dads pocket is deep enough to realise your dreams.
Always thought going to the lps must be an entertaining experience.
Best of luck.
Oh I think Rep power means you have said something someone likes.
hi Rory!
They are called NAAC (new age aquaculture).
they maybe a bit new-age..but it's new APPROACH ...:p
Thanks Roger. I always live in the present hope the best for the future and never dwell on the past.
I always live in the present hope the best for the future and never dwell on the past.
Nice words to live by :bigsmile:
theosmit
20-06-2009, 00:45
...there is so many small pet shops in Durban and a huge one in Springfield park that if I don’t start with something different my business is sure to die...
If you are worried about competition...
In a suburb where there are children there is probably space for a small petshop in the local centre. You will have to focus on bird, dog and cat products too, but that will enable you to establish a shop where you can specialise as time goes on. It will also make the business more feasable. Furthermore your location is probably more important than what you offer. Once there are feet walking past/into the shop your battle is halfway won.
Agree with Theo on main points - a successful shop is Location-Location - LOCATION..
If you specialise in fish then it may take a bit longer but can be better in the long run. If you specialise be prepared to import "specials" for people and ship all over the country..
I would be your first customer for specials :)
If you want more info on this side of things give me a pm
I think what we need more than anything in this country is an online shop.
Firstly it solves the location problem, and secondly it caters to all the die-hards where the average LFS does not.
Take this forum for instance, having it around means no need to phone the LFS for advice. Now if only we could buy the stuff here, that is discussed so often.
Even if they don't sell Live Stock, if I could find a single shop that offered me all of the brands of tanks and hardware I would be dealing with them constantly.
I'm thinking Kalahari.net here, but with Fish stuff instead.
If I had the revenue I would start one right now.
butcherman
24-06-2009, 08:11
there is a local reef forum that have a online store. not sure if i can mention it and they have great products, prices and specials all desigened on what the people on that forum want and need.
Fish Fantasy
24-06-2009, 08:25
Sauron that's a good idea it would make life so make easier! TASA should seriously think about it and let us know what they are willing to do!
Ferryman
21-08-2009, 23:47
Def will do that. i am thinking of having a touch screen system that will have as much info on the fish i have in my shop. I will type out all my ideas and will post it here, does anybody know of the name of that rugby players LFS in cape town. I want to do something like that but better as in do what my customers needs and not what i think they need.
along with that idea, which is a good idea if implemented right, i'd say, i'd use that if it weren't on the main floor where sales staff will probably assail you and ask enthusiastically "HI! can i HELP!?" - judging that, since you are looking something up, or standing still for more than 5 seconds, you therefore want or need someone to tag along for the rest of your visit like an unwanted wart, staring at you with this "i'm gonna make a SALE" expecting stare..
Idunno about others, but in ANY store, i like the help to be visible and approachable, but they should NOT rush me the moment i start slow-browsing their shelves, i usually wanna be left alone to browse and take it all in
Knowledge is the power. If you do not know, dont BS. Maybe invest in some good books, leave them in your shop on a prominent place, if you are busy or stump't your customer can page through the books as well. Hardly any one of us go shopping with our books, but all of us have at some time or another wished we had.
i work at garden centre, where we constantly get all kinds of enquiries as to the species, needs, sicknesses, fungus, aphids, where it should grow, why its getting yellow, is the soil correct, does it have special needs, etc. We have staff thats expected to be as informed as possible, we have an enquiry counter just for customer questions, and if there's something we dont know, we radio to the floor for the most informed horticulturists for answers, and if that fails, we have quite a few books that we pull out to help the customers, sometimes we&customers each grab a book... if we cant find it, we take their details and get back to them, leave the BS to the competition
Gilbertr14
22-08-2009, 09:45
They are called NAAC (new age aquaculture).
Oooooer :weird: This is the age of Aquarius... :blink1:
A few things that could make a LFS better:
- Photos of the fish on the tank or near it with information. So a bar graph for aggression, a picture for biotope, indication of temperature and pH, what to feed them (maybe list some of your stock that's compatible), the kind of substrate they like, NUMBERS for social fish, juvenile and adult SIZE (would prevent people putting massive fish in small tanks), and include the life expectancy and possible diseases and the level of expertise needed to keep the fish happy. I saw this weekend at a pet shop that they had big posters of all the different birds they keep, which I thought was a great idea.
- Display tanks. Show people what they can do, inspire their imaginations with some nicely aquascaped tanks and some biotope tanks and some nano setups too.
- Complete systems. Don't just have a starter kit with the usual in it. Use a spreadsheet or something and come up with some nice combinations that a beginner can buy and make sure to include a "system discount". But this must be something where they can change things on it like the heaters or the substrate or the stock list.
- Have a bit of a staff library system where they can find information when a customer asks. Also have a PC connected to the net where they can look for info, but obviously don't leave it open for the customers to abuse.
- Provide a website with up-to-date content, this could make a big difference as to how many people find your shop. Put up pages (where possible) with every stock item and all your livestock. That could be something to keep some of your staff busy when the shop is slow. You could put up your own photos and use descriptions from manufacturers and Fishbase and the like. Make sure there's a MAP to your store that's easy to find.
- Take part on local forums!!! There's quite a number of local forums that could do with some input and it makes for great marketing. Even if it's just putting up a shop profile with lots of photos and then posting when you get new stock. It could also be a nice way to get orders for special imports and the like. And of course it would also serve as a barometer of when you need to make your website into an online store.
- Do free water tests. It's amazing how many people I've seen that have no idea what their tank parameters are in the begining. I was one of them. And I would have loved to have been able to take my water to my LFS to figure out what's going on. It would also be a great intro to a test kit sale...
- Stock different priced goods. So don't just stock the expensive food for instance, have a few options because not everyone can afford Hikari. And make it easy to find alternatives. I've often found the cheaper alternatives hidden far far away from the expensive food that I can't afford. Oh, and maybe stock a bit of the more exotic stuff for those that want it, or at least have the option of ordering it for the customer.
- Posters of what different diseases or parasites look like and what products can treat them. It might be best if you get these made with some good, clear photos.
- Bulk discounts for social fish. Like R25 per fish but R100 if you take a group of 5.
- Make it obvious to the customers that you can have tanks made to order and maybe have some example pictures and prices.
- Stock lots of materials for aquascaping, so different colours and sizes of substrates, rocks, roots, wood, mesh for making moss walls (maybe with the moss already in it), eggcrate (which I recently saw at Animal Kingdom for R200 a sheet !!!), sealing end caps for lights, some of that pvc piping and connectors that everyone uses, polystyrene, plastic sheets. And if you don't have it, have a place that you can get it from. Oh, and most importantly, have lots of different plants, find someone who grows them or grow them yourself. There's a very successful business out in Muldersdrift where the owner has massive variety and has a lot of stuff that he grows/breeds himself. You'll have lots of repeat customers in this section, I know I'm constantly changing the insides of my tanks but keeping the livestock relatively static.
- LIGHTS!!! Don't just stock the hellishly expensive name brands, do your homework and find the cheap alternatives. I don't think there's a single thing discussed more on fish forums than lighting and where to find cheap globes. Maybe even stock some components and kits with instructions for people to make their own DIY LED lights like the moonlights (http://www.instructables.com/id/Aquarium_Moonlight/) that everyone so desperately wants.
- Have a look at some international stores for inspiration. I've seen some beautiful displays for plants in the UK shops listed on www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk (http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/) especially Aquajardin (http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/shopfinder.php?store=680&thiscounty=Gloucestershire), Harrogate Aquatic (http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/shopfinder.php?store=748&thiscounty=North+Yorkshire), and The Green Machine (http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/shopfinder.php?store=1462&thiscounty=Wrexham)
Basically, you need to capture the customer's imagination and be well informed and supply what they want, not just what you think they want.
Okay, that's a whole lot of stuff, sorry for the long post :)
Ferryman
25-08-2009, 20:30
wow, i'd love to shop at the store you just created Whip... seriosly, its like the reaction guys get to visiting builders warehouse or a huge allrounder hyperama or such.
I've heard people call their stores a pet hyper, you get there and cough and splutter at how understocked it all is, or how FAR it is from what you thought HYPER means...
But the depiction above sounds awesome actually, if the prices aren't (^%*^% crazy...
Hehe, I have an "optimising" personality, so this is just what I've built up over the past year that I've been interested in fish :)
Call it criticism of existing stores with a bit of imagination mixed in.
There are obviously things that will be prohibitively difficult/expensive, like getting intelligent staff at a cheap rate or keeping actual stock of the exotic stuff, but I think most of it can be accomplished with a reasonable amount of research and interest and a customer-centric attitude.
One store that definitely gets it right is Exclusive Pets in Centurion. If they don't have it they'll find it, and that's the right attitude to have. They might be more expensive than other stores, but I keep going back because they know what they're talking about, their tanks are clean, they have a fair amount of exotics, and they're always willing to help. Oh, and they have live brine shrimp for R10 a bag :)
Another two things to add to the list...
- Water. Either sell RO water, or sell the machines, or have a contact that can get them at a good price. Exclusive Pets has a big tank in the back of the shop and they sell the water that they make.
- Delivery. Maybe at a cost, but it should definitely be free for large orders. Imagine buying a nice new 1.8m tank and only driving a golf. Or buying R500 worth of fish and not having a nice coolerbox or something to catch the water in the case of a leak.
If you can take all these points that every body has given you here and actually implement them in to you r future Pet shop you will have the best pet shop in your province and you will be very successful and I who definatly order by you if you were going to courier all over the place.... Hell I would even drive down that way just to visit a pet shop like that
Gilbertr14
25-08-2009, 21:54
What about an online community tank configurator, like on www.thinkfish.co.uk (http://www.thinkfish.co.uk)
This with your online resource will help people when making choices.
This being online on your website, people can create tanks, save them , and when they collect.
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