The holiday season is a major selling opportunity for any retailer, and local pet supply stores are no exception. To yield the best results, it’s important to be prepared to meet the demands of your customers who are looking to spoil their animal friends.
As a store owner, your goal is not only to stock up but also to make sure you’re stocking the right pet products. In doing so, you can make more sales, please your customers, and build loyalty that lasts beyond the holidays.
Here’s a guide to help you make the most of the approaching season. This way, you can ensure that you have everything your customers need to have a great Christmas morning, memorable Hanukkah festivities, and an overall enjoyable season.
Seasonal Pet Toys and Accessories
Plenty of pet owners include their companions in their holiday festivities, so an array of seasonal pet toys and accessories are a must. Stocking-themed items, like Christmas or Hanukkah-themed sweaters and coats, are a great way to appeal to your customers’ festive moods. Try stocking items with bright holiday colors or items shaped like holiday symbols (ex: reindeer, Santas, or dreidels). Even paw print ornaments or other decor pieces might be worth considering.
High-Demand Pet Treats and Specialty Foods
The holiday season is a time to treat oneself, and many pet owners extend this to their pets by getting them special treats and food items. For example, some get exotic-flavored dog biscuits (like bison or duck), organic cat treats, or limited edition items.
Also, don’t underestimate the appeal of holiday gift baskets or bundles. You can create hand-selected gift sets that include treats, chews, and toys, wrapped in festive packaging. These make perfect gifts for pet lovers looking for an easy, ready-made option. ⭐️ Top Tip courtesy of Pet Boss Nation! ⭐️
Grooming Products for Holiday Preparations
Many pet owners travel with their animal companions during the holidays, so chances are, they want their pets to look their best for family events. Because of this, grooming products tend to be in-demand items during this season. Make sure you have a range of grooming supplies, like shampoos, brushes, and nail trimmers.
In addition, if your store provides grooming services, consider offering holiday promotions or discounts pre-holiday appointments.
Travel Accessories for Holiday Trips
As mentioned a moment ago, the holiday season tends to see a lot of travel, and many pet owners bring their furry friends with them. Offering an array of travel accessories, like portable water bowls, travel carriers, seat covers, and pet-focused travel kits, can help cater to these customers.
You might also want to stock products that help alleviate holiday stress, such as calming sprays, anxiety body wraps, or CBD-infused treats. Make sure these items are prominently displayed in your store to capture the attention of pet owners preparing for trips.
Cold Weather Essentials
The holiday season usually means cold weather, pet owners may be looking for products to keep their pets warm and comfortable until spring. Stock up on items like winter coats, heated pet beds, and booties to protect paws from snow and ice.
In areas with particularly harsh winters, consider stocking protective balms for paws and noses, as well as de-icing products that are pet-safe. These offerings not only help your customers keep their pets warm, but they contribute to the overall safety and well-being of animals during the winter months.
Stocking Stuffers and Impulse Buys
It’s easy to forget some holiday purchases until the last minute, so having a variety of small, affordable items near the checkout counter can be a benefit during this time of year. Think of items like mini toys, holiday-themed catnip mice, small bags of treats, or holiday-themed collars. These make great Christmas stocking stuffers and can encourage add-on purchases.
You can also create a “Holiday Pet Stocking” workspace where customers can pick and choose small items to fill a holiday stocking for their pet. This not only encourages more purchases but adds a personal touch that your customers will appreciate.
Consider Your Inventory Management
Having the right inventory management strategy in place is also a must if you want to make sure you’re well-stocked but not overstocked during the holidays. Take a look at your sales data from previous winters so that you can get a sense of which products are top sellers. Also, make a note of trends or new pet products that have gained traction in the current year.
Work with your suppliers to ensure timely deliveries, and consider placing orders early to avoid delays. The last thing you want is to run out of high-demand products during peak shopping days. Additionally, creating a reordering plan can help you restock as quickly as possible so that you can avoid losing sales due to out-of-stock items.
The holiday season is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful for local pet supply store owners. By carefully selecting seasonal, practical, and desirable pet products, you can attract a wide range of customers and provide them with everything they need for their pets this holiday season.
