This year, Americans will dole out approximately $60 billion on their pets. In recent years, consumers have been increasing their annual spending on their dogs and cats for an array of goods, such as lavish toys, organic treats, comfortable beds and a lot more. One of the biggest trends in the consumer pet industry is a pet day spa.
Indeed, the pet has become a major but welcomed expense for households that consider their dogs and cats as members of the family, which is why some owners will go as far as taking their furry critters to a pet day spa. With so many pet spas popping up all over the United States, it could be difficult to stand out, particularly with fastidious consumers that seek out the most caring and trustworthy establishments.
Pet day spas have to adopt a number of measures to accommodate pet owners and increase their profits. Here are five steps to increasing pet day spa profits:
Customer Service
In order to succeed, a pet day spa needs to have staff that offer impeccable customer service. This means they must be kind, friendly and attentive, since pet owners are unlikely to leave their animals in the hands of an uncaring attendant and business. Training in customer and pet care may be the biggest investment a pet day spa can make.
Pet Bakery
When it comes to extravagance for a pet, consumers like to indulge their pets with the finest treats available, and many will shop at pet bakeries. These stores provide specialty baked goods, treats and cakes that come in a variety of tastes and seasonal flavors. Offering bakery treats at your pet spa will require that you either partner with a supplier or produce your own products that cater to this market.
Retail
It's beginning to get chilly outside, and this means that many pet owners will start to cover their animals with a coat to stay warm, boots to cover their paws from the ice and snow, and perhaps even a costume for the upcoming holiday season. Maintaining a retail department within your pet spa can be a prudent decision to make, and one that can boost sales and increase your bottom line.
Self-Service Grooming
Sometimes, a pet may not want to be touched by anyone other than its owner. At other times, an owner just wants to groom the animal himself or herself. This is why some pet day spas are adding self-service grooming stations that allow customers to bathe, cut and brush their pets. To correctly install this feature, your business will need workstations, grooming kits, and washbasins.
Outdoor Exercise Areas
The best type of spa treatment for a dog would be plenty of exercise (unless they're a Basset Hound). A fully equipped outdoor exercise area would be a nicely added touch for any pet spa. This space provides an area where animals can safely run around, tackle each other, and utilize various apparatuses to get exercise that every pet needs.
It's important to do your homework by performing the necessary research of your market and clientele base as well as conducting an audit of your business expenditures and overall finances. If you plan to stay competitive in the pet day spa industry, adding these features to your business is a necessary endeavor.
Initial investments can be substantial, but the return on investment makes the expenditure worthwhile. However, if you find that you require additional funding, a merchant cash advance from a business like Quikstone Capital Solutions could be the solution you're looking for. Establish yourself as a pet day spa professional today!
