New pet store in Surrey proves to be an instant hit
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DoLittle Pet Supplies has just opened its third pet store in Surrey and already it is proving to be a big hit with local pet owners.
Managing director Gareth Thomas revealed to Pet Trade Xtra why the company's latest venture has been an instant success.
When did the new store open?
Our third shop opened on April 1 - yes April Fools Day. It is a historic thing that we have always done when opening or moving to new locations, always on April Fools Day – it just seems to work for marketing and getting us noticed.
Where is the new store located?
The full address of the shop is 143 Cobham Road, Fetcham, Surrey.
Why did you open a pet store there?
Fetcham/Bookham was a natural progression for us really, having started the business six years ago just a mile up the road in a local garden centre. Many of our first customers all those years ago still buy regularly from us, using our free home delivery service or automated delivery system.These customers have encouraged us to open a store in the village. It’s also our community! All the staff associated and running the shop live within the locality. Our manager can walk to work. We are locals running a local business to the benefit of the local community – all these things are so important to our business ethos.
  Where are your other two stores?
Sutton Green between Guildford and Woking is head office and distribution centre, occupying 5,000 sq ft. Our second store Ashtead is little more than two miles up the road in the next village. We are firmly based in Surrey.
What's on offer at your new store?
Fetcham is a reflection of Sutton Green and Ashtead with the best of both combined into one store. Whilst offering all the regular brands of pets foods and accessories we also have three leading brands of frozen raw food for dogs and cats – Natural Instinct, Nutriment and Benyfit Natural – and offer others in lesser quantities. We have invested over £4,500 in the new upright freezers alone in this store. We are also offering the best in Grain Free diets from Canagan, Eden and our own branded Grain Free in six different flavours.
What other services do you offer?
DoLittle Dog Grooming is also represented in a new grooming salon set up in the rear third of the store. Over the next couple of weeks the new hydraulic bath and grooming tables will be installed so professional grooming can commence mid-May. Fetcham will also be promoting our free home delivery service across Surrey. Typically we try and deliver the next working day across the county, including all the frozen foods with a minimum 6kg order size. This is to prevent thawing. We are often the cheapest delivered including the internet and in a faster time. We pride ourselves on being totally customer focused giving the best service we can. How many staff do you employ?
There are three full time members of staff. Kieran Mant is our young manager, ably supported by Amy Stewart who grooms and helps run the shop floor when not tripping over Buzz her French Bulldog puppy pictured wearing his company uniform with Kate being our qualified head groomer. Other members of staff will be in store from time to time covering for staff days off and holidays. There are now a total of 11 full time staff within the business. Which is your biggest store?
Sutton Green is the largest store being head office (5,000 sq ft) – our satellite stores are between 750 and 1200 sq ft.
Did you have any outside help in setting up the new store?
Hertford Shelving were very helpful in supporting our design ideas and bringing them to fruition, doing the total shop fit.
More information about DoLittle Pet Supplies can be found by visiting www.dolittlepetsupplies.co.uk
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