Thinking about Opening a Pet Food Store? Here’s Expert Advice You Should Know in Advance

The pet food market is growing, so if you’re curious about opening a pet food store this may be just your time. Here are three things you need to know to get started with your new business.

It’s a Great Time to Open a Pet Food Shop

Good news! Market trends are in your favor. The global pet food market was valued at over $87 billion in 2019 and projects $37 billion in growth by 2027.

Pet adoption numbers are rising for all sorts of pets. Families adopt dogs as home companions. Cat owners increasingly have more than one cat in the home. The number of millennials adopting pets continues to grow.

Pet owners are seeking out premium options. Trends show they prefer high-quality organic and natural pet foods over conventional sources. Demand for dry food is rising especially because of its convenience for busy pet owners. It’s a great time to enter this burgeoning market and open your pet food store.

Find Your Niche and Understand Trends in the Pet Food Business

When you’re thinking about how to start a pet food business, consider what kind of business you want to have, how to stand out from the crowd, and what products you want to offer your customers. 

Independent pet food stores often bring unique options to pet lovers in their area. Quality products, a welcoming environment, and excellent customer service help small businesses stand out. When you consider your location, choose a place where you’ll be convenient for pet owners without having to compete with large retailers’ prices. Local pet food stores can be community hubs for pet owners and offer a more personal environment than big box stores. In addition to in-store service, you may also choose to sell pet food online. This opens your business up to an even wider customer base.

Stay on top of pet nutrition and other aspects of pet health. Learn what brands folks trust and which lesser-known and niche products may appeal to your customers. Build a staff who knows what they’re talking about and can offer guidance to curious pet owners looking to make a purchase.

Consider what kind of pet food you want to offer. Customers often choose their dog food or cat food based on brands they trust, seeking premium options and tending towards organic and natural food purchases. Dry food is often the most convenient and therefore the most popular among pet owners. Wet pet food serves a niche market of pet owners who choose this option for health reasons like hydration and allergies. 

Customers also look for nourishing snacks to enhance their pet’s diet. There is a growing interest in raw pet food without preservatives, grains, and fillers, as well.

Your suppliers are an essential element to your success

Of course, with your great customer service, you’ll be building excellent customer and community relationships. As a small business, your suppliers are another essential element of your success. It’s not only about the brands and products you want to sell but also about how you source them. It is also critical to check if your suppliers can meet all the regulation in your country before importing their products. Here's a step-by-step guide to import to and sell food products in Singapore.

If you’re wondering where to source your new store’s pet food, this is the right place to be. Trustana is a business-to-business (B2B) trade marketplace where you can find trusted pet food suppliers. We pre-screen suppliers and ensure the products they offer are certified, so you can be sure you’re getting high-quality products.

Trustana can help you find the right suppliers for your business. Our experts provide on-demand sourcing services to help you match with the perfect suppliers to meet your customised needs. If you’re sourcing from multiple suppliers, we can consolidate orders to simplify your business. This B2B service can take the worry off your plate as you begin your new business adventure.

Next Steps

Congratulations! Now that you’ve got answers about your pet food business, encouraging market trends, and pet food sourcing, you’re ready to take the next step. We look forward to working with you to help your business thrive.

References:

1. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/pet-food-industry#:~:text=The%20global%20pet%20food%20market%20size%20was%20estimated%20at%20USD,the%20pet%20food%20market%20growth%3F
2. https://smallbusiness.chron.com/start-own-pet-food-store-4564.html