Put A Qr Code On Your Door And More Aug-sep To-do’s For Pet Indies

Aug 2-8

OPERATIONS Is it time to go back-to-school shopping for team shirts? Replace any with wear and tear or introduce a new design!

BUYING Complete any last-minute planning for SUPERZOO, happening Aug. 12-14 in Las Vegas, NV. Per usual, we’ll be reporting live from the trade-show floor and sharing dozens of videos each day on our socials, website and via email. Plus, as media partner for SUPERZOO, we’ll produce the Show Daily. Whether you’ll be there or not, following us at facebook.com/petsplusmag,instagram.com/petsplusmag and signing up at petsplusmag.com/bulletins delivers all the news and product finds to your feeds and inbox. Don’t miss out!

Aug 9-15

NETWORKING SUPERZOO always offers plenty of opportunities to mix and mingle with fellow pet pros, and even more so this year. Pick up the Show Dailies for full details, but for sure put these two events on your schedule: the Emerging Brands + Retailers Networking Event at Swingers Mandalay Bay, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, and the always-epic SUPERZOO Beach Party, 7-10 p.m. Thursday at Mandalay Bay. Both involve free food and drinks and fun!

Aug 16-22

INVENTORY Deeply discount your summer stock to make room for the fall merchandise you ordered at or around SUPERZOO. Give a Dog a Bone in Evansville, IN, holds a summer sidewalk sale each year with items 50-70% off. Elizabeth Zikmund says, “Our customers love it and always spend a ton, and often come back again later in the day to shop more.” Pair that plan with fall prep, like Jennifer Larsen of Firehouse Pet Shop in Wenatchee, WA. She creates a central document for her team to access as fall merchandise arrives. It includes all orders and merchandising plans. “They start collecting and hold until we set the fall displays. And I do store maps so they know exactly what goes where and aren’t having to move things multiple times.”

Aug 23-29

MARKETING Start counting down to IndiePet’s Neighborhood Pet Store Day, happening Sep. 26 this year. Victor Santucci of Garden State Pet Center in Audubon, NJ, says his NPSD to-do list includes “coordinating with vendors, scheduling demonstrations, securing giveaways, and developing marketing campaigns.” He adds, “We begin promoting the event weeks in advance through social media, email marketing and in-store signage.” Get the NPSD Promotional Toolkit at neighborhoodpetstoreday.com.

Aug 30-Sep 5

OPERATIONS Post holiday hours ahead of Labor Day and encourage customers to check supplies to ensure they don’t run out before you reopen.

Sep 6-12

MARKETING Order a QR code decal for your door that sends customers to your website after hours, like this one at Bark & Luv in Chandler, AZ. It connects pet parents dining at nearby restaurants to the store after it has closed.

Sep 13-19

For the next week, delegate admin work, drop less important meetings and spend the extra time coaching employees so they’ll be ready to shine well ahead of the busy holiday season.

Sep 20-26

Speaking of holiday prep, for many pet business owners it’s time to complete minor repairs. Patti Carney of Hollywood Houndz, Lake Mary, FL, says, “We touch up paint and any moldings that were damaged in our boarding suites” during the summer. Also remind grooming clients to book well before the holidays. Kristina Robertson of The Pet Spa at Barkley Square in Falls Church, VA, says, “We even offer a ‘Schedule-Early Discount’ or free luxury product upgrade to those who do.”