Dropshipping for Pet Businesses: Sell More Without Holding Stock

Your clients buy pet products every month: food, treats, toys, beds, leads and grooming tools. Most of it is bought somewhere else, because a grooming salon only has room for a small retail shelf. Dropshipping is one way to offer a much wider range without buying or storing stock. Here's how it works and what to think about.

What is dropshipping?

With dropshipping, you list products in your online store, but you don't hold them. When a client orders, the order goes to a supplier who packs and sends the product directly to the client. You earn the difference between your selling price and the supplier's price. You never touch the product, and you only pay for it once it has sold.

Why it suits pet businesses

Pet owners trust their groomer. If you recommend a bed for an older dog or a harness that fits a deep-chested breed, they're likely to listen. Dropshipping lets you act on that trust without filling a storeroom. It's also a way to earn from your client base between grooms.

The benefits

• No upfront stock costs. You don't buy products until clients have paid.
• No storage. Large items such as beds, crates and food bags don't need shelf space.
• A wider range. You can offer far more products than your salon could hold.
• Less admin. The supplier handles packing and delivery.

The trade-offs

Margins are usually lower than on stock you buy in bulk. You rely on the supplier's stock levels and delivery times, and if they make a mistake, the client will still see it as yours. You also need clear policies for returns and faulty products.

Choose suppliers carefully

Your reputation depends on your supplier. Check their range, product quality, stock levels, delivery times to your clients' areas and how they handle returns. Start with a small selection of products from a reliable supplier, and add more once you're confident.

Keep it relevant

The best dropshipping range complements your services. Coat care products, brushes suited to the breeds you groom, harnesses, beds, dental care and treats all make sense. A focused range that matches your expertise sells better than a huge catalogue.

Promote it naturally

Mention products when they're relevant: "Bella's coat is getting thicker for winter. This brush would really help between grooms. You can order it from our online store and it'll be delivered to your door." Add links in your messages and on your booking page.

Combine it with your in-salon retail

Dropshipping doesn't replace your shelf. Keep fast-selling, small items in the salon for clients to buy at pick-up, and offer the larger or less common items through dropshipping. Clients get convenience either way.

Keep the client experience smooth

Make sure clients know when to expect delivery, and keep them updated if there's a delay. Make returns simple. A good experience with their first order makes them more likely to order again.

Track your results

Look at what sells, the margins after all fees and any problems with delivery or returns. Drop products that cause trouble and focus on the ones clients reorder.

Built into PetConnect

PetConnect includes dropshipping alongside your in-salon retail and online orders, so you can offer more products to clients from the same system you use for bookings and payments.

Pricing dropshipped products

Set prices that cover the supplier's price, delivery, payment fees and a fair margin for your recommendation and service. Check what similar products sell for elsewhere so your prices are reasonable, but don't try to match the biggest online retailers. Your clients are buying your advice and convenience as much as the product.

Be clear about delivery

Show delivery times and costs before the client orders. If some products come from a different supplier and arrive separately, say so. Clear expectations prevent most complaints. Make sure clients know who to contact if something goes wrong; it should be you, and you should follow up with the supplier on their behalf.

Start with a small test

Choose ten to twenty products that fit your clients, tell your regulars about them and see what happens over a couple of months. You'll quickly learn which categories your clients want and whether the supplier is reliable, before you commit to a bigger range.

Keep an eye on reviews

Read what clients say about products they've bought through you, and pass feedback to your supplier. Drop products that disappoint.

Check the legal basics

Selling is selling, whoever packs the box. When you sell products, Australian Consumer Law applies to you, even if a supplier sends them. Clients are entitled to a refund, repair or replacement for faulty products. Make sure your supplier agreement covers returns and faulty items, so you can look after clients without losing money. Keep product descriptions accurate, and don't make health claims about products that you can't back up.

Learn more on our dropshipping and store and retail pages.