I want to open my own LFS!!!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Oscaroo - I know that that is why Petsmart does so well. But depending on where the store is located, meaning how much money is around, strictly determines the selection of what they carry. Most of the people I know don't even like going there. They do because it's easy/convenient. i do however plan to carry food and supplies for other animals I do not sell. My store will be fish and reptiles, but supplies for everything!
 
i to want to open a fish type store business. i am saving up some money for some in alabama to open a freshwater stingray breeding facility.
 
I had a friend who had a lfs for about 10 years and it ruin the hobby aspect for him. He said it turn the thing he loved into a job. It's like the mechanic who has a car with problems he do not have the energy to fix... Good luck if you go for it.
 
There is no room to make margin in the industry with a typical brick and mortar retail store. If you sell low enough to compete with the online stores you will never make enough to cover your operating expenses. Your best bet is to do a strong web operation out of your retail location. This will allow you to sell enough merchandise to be able to sell it at competitive prices. You'd have to be in a huge city to cover your expenses with livestock sales only. The other thing to consider is how many people actually go to the Lfs for advice anymore. The serious people go online. The idiots go to petsmart or petco. Not much room left for your typical LFS.

The other option is to go larger than petsmart. Much larger. Theory would be to make it like a bass pro shop where it becomes a regional destination. Huge selection huge displays large online presence. This would obviously take a significant amount of capital....


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The problem I see is that LFS can't compete with prices on the Internet. You have to raise your prices to pay for rent and overhead, meanwhile anyone can go to EBay and get the part at a fraction of the cost and shipped for free. Example- my LFS is selling an fx5 for 300.00 with no media. I can get one full of media shipped for free for 230-250 bucks off the internet. Not only dry goods but fish too. There's no way to compete and this is why LFS are closing all over the place. Same goes for small businesses all over the place. Why waste gas driving all over the place when you can buy with one click from your iPhone and save money doing it? It's sad, but that's where the future is headed. I'm sure not to far on the distant future all shopping will be done online, even grocery shopping, which by the way you can do already. Something to think about.


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Red_Man said:
Pacu Mom - I'm not independently wealthy nor do I have money just to throw at a LFS. I don't think anyone who opens a pet store does. I have thought about opening a LFS for a while and done a some research into the are where I plan to open it. There is a big hole in the market where I live. There is only one LFS near me and they cater almost specifically to salt water. I plan to offer fresh and saltwater as well as reptiles. I have been combing the forums looking for advice and what people in my area are looking for. I don't plan on offering just the usual fish either. I plan to bring in some of the rarer fish on the market today. I also plan to offer tank maintenance, delivery and set-up, custom tanks built in house that are glass or acrylic, and custom stands and canopies. I am doing research in to finding a wider selection of products to offer as well. I don't expect this venture to make me rich, but I do hope it will be able to carry itself and put some jingle in my pocket. I plan to find staff that is somewhat knowledgeable and willing to learn. I'm positive I will have the 21st century LFS! Top to bottom, front to back, it will be a totally new experience for hobbyists new and old! And as for competing with
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I can see the potential for a fish tank setup/maintenance business in the right area, especially for reef tanks. There are a lot of salt water tanks in doctors offices.....there are gorgeous 4000+ gallon tanks on Reef Central. It seems like the majority of big tanks are reef. Setting up and maintaining those kind of tanks could be a great business venture.
 
pacu mom said:
I can see the potential for a fish tank setup/maintenance business in the right area, especially for reef tanks. There are a lot of salt water tanks in doctors offices.....there are gorgeous 4000+ gallon tanks on Reef Central. It seems like the majority of big tanks are reef. Setting up and maintaining those kind of tanks could be a great business venture.
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A friend of mine in town does this. A lot of his clients are in some sort of office. He mostly does SW as there's more money in it. He also has a degree in zoology from a good school, not a bad thing to have on your resume in that business...


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All the successful LFS' here have been that way for great service and honest advice...

One of them even sells setup nano aquascaped tanks which brings in some extra cash...


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