Sharing the secrets of how to create a great pet store
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Bents Garden & Home near Warrington picked up gold in The Greatest Christmas Awards for its outstanding pet team performance. Here we discover why the pet category is so important to the garden centre’s success.
How important is the pet sector for Bents?
The pet sector is an extremely important part of our business. We understand pets are a huge part of people’s lives and we believe that this should be shown by the quality of our Pet Place, which is another added value to our overall offering.
Can you give details of your pet features?
In addition to our retail element one of our main features is our Pet Café where customers can dine with their pets, with refreshments for both humans and hounds! We have an interactive selfie booth and encourage customers to take pictures with their pets and upload them to social media using #petsagram, which is proving very popular. We also offer puppy training classes, teenage tantrums and a guided walk around Windy Bank Woods, which is to the rear of the centre and our pet behaviourist, Lesley, can give specialist information about your pet. In addition we have an instore groomers, spa and vaccination clinic with a viewing area. We offer a huge range of products and a friendly atmosphere that enables our customers to come and enjoy their visit.
What special events did you hold for pets and their owners at Christmas?
We had various offers on products combined with specific offers for our privilege club members. We really embrace Christmas and buy seasonal products for pets such as coats, stockings, toys and festive treats. We had a Christmas selfie competition, with a prize for the best dressed dog and we have had a book signing from the author of the Pug a Lugs book series. We also have a on-going partnership with the local branch of our RSPCA who erected a pledge tree in the run up to Christmas. Other animal charities are also encouraged to join us at the weekends.
Do your customers comment on the fact that Bents is so pet-friendly?
Our Pet Café provides somewhere that people can socialise with each other and their dogs. It is always very busy as it is one of the few places within retail that allows pets in. Our colleagues are all extremely enthusiastic about pets and spend a lot of time discussing any problems our customers have with their pets.
Do you think the pet features help attract customers to your centre?
Our customers always comment on how good it is to have somewhere that they can bring their pets for something to eat and drink. The selfie booth allows customers to dress their dogs in outfits and is proving a very popular point of interest. The groomers also provide a very professional service which our customers value and recognise and as such they are always extremely busy.
A gallery of pictures of Bents' pet display at Christmas is featured below...
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