286 
SEED TRADE BUYERS GUIDE 
Pet Supplies 
T hat people are becoming 
more "pet minded" is indicated 
by the fact that more dogs, 
cats, birds, goldfish and other pets are 
being sold every year. This increased 
pet popularity has naturally greatly 
swelled the sales of pet supplies, 
foods, remedies, etc. Retail seed deal¬ 
ers all over the country have found 
that stocking these supplies has in¬ 
creased profits for them and has 
eliminated dull seasons because 
there is an active demand for these 
items the whole year around. 
Here are some suggestions for the 
successful conduct of a pet depart¬ 
ment: 
First of all, make a study of the 
people in your community to find out 
what kind of pets they have, and then 
purchase your stocks accordingly. If 
you find that dogs are popular, be 
sure to carry dog foods and remedies, 
harnesses, leashes, etc. If there are 
more bird lovers, then, of course, 
more bird foods and remedies, cages, 
cuttle bone, and items of that kind 
should be stocked. In other words, 
get a good idea of your customers' 
pets before you order your supplies. 
* * * 
Be careful not to over-buy. It is 
much better to buy sparingly at first, 
until you have definitely discovered 
your customers' demands, than to be 
over-enthusiastic and as a result find 
yourself overstocked with merchan¬ 
dise which you may have difficulty in 
moving. 
The pet business, like any other 
business, requires actual working ex¬ 
perience to make it a success, and 
like any other business, it takes 
nerve, initiative and good common 
sense to get it started and keep it 
going strong. But remember this— 
that a pet department always adds 
to a store's popularity and prestige 
in any community. 
* * * 
Open displays are usually found 
the best for all pet foods and sup¬ 
plies. The stock should be placed on 
open tables or racks, where people 
can see and handle it. All mer¬ 
chandise should be plainly price 
marked. Panels himg on sides of the 
walls are excellent for the purpose of 
displaying such articles as dog 
harnesses, leashes, etc. 
* * * 
Anything alive in a window never 
fails to draw a crowd. There are 
many people who would never- think 
of buying their pet supplies in a seed 
store until they were reminded of it 
through an action display of puppies, 
birds, goldfish, kittens, or some other 
live animal. When these pets are 
shown, the numerous supplies inci¬ 
dental to their care, feeding and well 
being should also be featured. 
* * * 
Work closely with the manufac¬ 
turers of pet supplies, pet foods and 
remedies. They can give you some 
Directory Section Index—Pages 2-4-6-8-10 
