How to Increase Sales in a Pet Store. Layout of Products in a Pet Shop

A pet store is not just a place where people buy products for their pets. It's a space where customer preferences are formed, an emotional connection to the brand is created, and purchasing decisions are made.

Why do You Need Merchandising in a Pet Store?

Merchandising is a set of measures aimed at optimizing the layout of goods, improving the navigation of the store, attracting the attention of customers and stimulating sales.

The main tasks of merchandising in a pet shop:

• Creating convenience for the buyer. Logical arrangement of goods helps to navigate through the assortment faster.
• Increasing the average receipt. Related products placed next to the main categories stimulate additional purchases.
• Increased customer loyalty. A comfortable atmosphere and easy selection increase the likelihood of repeat visits.
• Efficient use of retail space. Optimal product placement allows you to use every meter for maximum benefit.
• Promotion of new goods and promotional offers. Layout and visual accents draw attention to profitable offers.

Basic Principles of Effective Merchandising in a Pet Store

1. Store zoning 

Dividing the store into thematic zones helps customers find the right products faster:

• Cat and dog food - placed separately, divided by brands and types (dry, wet, specialized).
• Toys and accessories - logically grouped by animal species.
• Vitamins and care products - are in a separate section next to the food.
• Fillers and toilets - placed in the area with cat products.
• Promotional and novelties - separate areas near the cash register or entrance.

Additionally, it is worth considering the psychology of product placement:

“Right Hand Rule": most shoppers instinctively turn right after entering, so the most important and marginal merchandise should be placed here.

Feeds and consumables should be placed at the far end of the store so that shoppers see additional goods on their way in.

2. Use the rules of product neighborliness

Combining products from the same category or complementary groups increases the customer's desire to buy more:

• Bowls and automatic feeders can be placed near food.
• Vitamins and treats are better placed next to each other, offering comprehensive care.
• Collars and leashes are logically placed near pet clothing.

3. Use of modern technology

For effective assortment and display management, it is important to use modern digital solutions. Planohero offers convenient tools for automating planogramming on a single platform: creating planograms, setting up the display, controlling the execution and analyzing the effectiveness of the planograms. Implementation of pet products planogram in the service will help to create an optimal scheme of product placement and increase the efficiency of sales, providing convenience for customers and staff.

Correct Product Layout in a Pet Shop

In order to properly design the layout of goods in a pet store you need to take into account several important factors: the viewing area, convenience for the buyer, categories of goods and the behavior of customers.

The basic principles of laying out:

1. Zoning. Divide the space into logical sections: feed, accessories, care goods, toys, medicines, etc. This will make it easier for shoppers to navigate.
2. Golden Shelf. The most popular and marginal products should be at eye level, as this is the area that attracts the most attention.
3. Grouping by category. Goods of the same group are placed together for logical perception.
4. Horizontal lay-out. It implies the placement of goods in one line, which allows the client to cover the entire category with a glance.
5. Vertical layout. Helps to distribute goods by levels: more expensive and popular goods are placed at the level of the buyer's eyes, and less popular - below or above.

When organizing the layout should take into account the equipment for pet stores. High-quality racks, showcases and checkout areas help not only to improve visual perception, but also to increase the functionality of the retail space.

How to Increase Sales in a Pet Store

To increase your pet shop sales, it's important to consider a few key factors:

Analyzing demand and assortment

The first step to increasing sales is to analyze customer preferences. It is necessary to regularly monitor which products are most popular, and which remain unclaimed. This will allow you to timely expand the range of in-demand goods and exclude positions that do not bring profit. It is also important to update the assortment depending on the season, offering customers relevant products, for example, tick repellent in spring and insulated cots in winter. In the summer, increase your assortment of cooling mats, flea and tick protection. For holidays (New Year, Valentine's Day) offer gift sets for pets.

Work with pricing policy

Competently built pricing policy helps to attract new customers and retain regular customers. For this purpose, you should implement promotions, discounts and loyalty programs, encouraging customers to make more purchases. Special offers such as “2-for-1” or “discount on the second item” make purchases more profitable and motivate customers to return. It is also important to place promotional materials informing about discounts and promotions to draw attention to favorable offers.

Using effective equipment for pet stores

The quality of retail equipment determines the convenience of shopping and the attractiveness of the store. Shelves in a pet shop should be comfortable, durable and spacious, so that the goods are located clearly and accessible. The use of POS materials such as price tags, advertising posters and promotional stands helps to attract the attention of customers to new products and promotions.

Incentivizing impulse purchases

Impulse purchases play an important role in increasing the average receipt. To stimulate them, it is necessary to properly place goods in the store. For example, you can place treats, small accessories and toys near the cash register, which customers can add to the cart at the last moment. Also an effective tool is the organization of demonstration stands with popular merchandise that attract the attention of customers. In addition, seasonal items should be located in the most visible places so that customers see them immediately and make a buying decision. 

Personalized recommendations

Trained staff who know the nuances of layout and product features can significantly increase sales.

Proper lighting

Bright colors attract attention, but it is important not to overload the space. For example:

• Green and blue are associated with nature and health, suitable for food and vitamins.
• Red stimulates buying activity and can be used for promotions and discounts.
• Yellow and orange create a sense of joy, suitable for toys and accessories.

Rules of Trade in Goods for Animals

• Compliance with sanitary norms and storage conditions.
• Availability of up-to-date certification and documents for products.
• Placing information on the composition, expiration dates and methods of use of goods.

Effective merchandising is not just a beautiful layout, but a well-thought-out strategy that can increase sales several times over. If you want to improve your pet store's merchandising, reduce losses and increase your average receipt, check out Planohero. Using proven methods such as planogramming of pet products and process automation, you can minimize errors and increase the efficiency of trade. By implementing these processes, you can make your pet shop successful and attractive to customers.