Question

Topic: Customer Behavior

No Competition?

Posted by Anonymous on 10/20/2010 at 12:40 PM ET 125 Points
I know pet supplies are a big business, and I have contemplated an online supply biz. But there is one particular niche that does not seem to have any competition, or at least I can't find any - grooming/cleaning products. There are some sites that sell grooming items to pro groomers, and of course all the general pet supply sites have a section of these products. But I can't find any that have just those items, and I would think that they would sell well (everyone wants and needs a clean healthy pet and home) and be something people would by over and over. Am I right, or has it been tried and just never attracted the customers needed? But you do need to specialize in a niche market, especially with so many people selling pet supplies? Any help would be great, thanks.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 10/20/2010 at 1:02 PM Accepted
    If you are thinking of starting this business, I wold start writing up a business plan. In the process of developing the plan, you will in effect be answering your own questions.

    Here is a book I recommend for anyone in the States considering starting up a business:
    https://expandabroad.blogspot.com/2005/08/start-up-book-recommendation.html

    Now a general question you should answer for yourself - can these grooming products not be bought at brick and mortar and online pet stores? I don't have a pet requiring grooming products, but if I did, this would be where I would check first.
  • Posted on 10/20/2010 at 3:50 PM Accepted
    What would be the key benefit someone in your target audience would realize if your store existed and were convenient for them? Why would they shop at your store instead of at a local pet store? What's in it for them?

    Isn't this a little bit like starting a store for just shampoo, for example? Shampoo is available at just about every food and drug store, plus thousands of salons. But there are not many/any stores that just sell shampoo. But, as in your situation, what is the unique benefit someone would have buying shampoo at this hypothetical shampoo-only store?

    What do you bring to the party other than a very narrow focus? And what's the consumer benefit from that narrow focus?
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