Running a pet grooming salon means juggling a lot of moving parts: scheduling, customer communications, staff management, and—of course—delivering a top-notch grooming experience. But one area many dog grooming salon owners overlook is retail.
Adding retail to your salon isn’t just about boosting revenue; it can be an effective way to boost customer loyalty among pet parents and positioning your business as the go-to destination for all things pet care. With Gingr’s built-in retail tools, working these sales into your dog grooming business plan is a walk in the park!
Retail isn’t just for pet stores. Grooming salons are uniquely positioned to succeed in retail sales for three reasons:
According to Grand View Research, grooming services and demand for pet retail products are both on the rise and will only continue to grow in the next give years. Businesses that offer both see higher client retention and stronger profit margins. Integrating retail into your salon can also enhance overall business performance by providing actionable insights into sales trends and customer preferences, helping you improve profitability and make better business decisions.
A solid business plan is the backbone of any successful dog grooming business. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your services, taking the time to create a detailed plan that includes future retail offerings will set you up for long-term success.
Start by analyzing your local market—identify who your ideal clients are, what grooming services and related products are in demand, and how you can stand out from other groomers in your area.
Your business plan should clearly outline your operating concept, including the types of grooming services you’ll offer, your pricing structure, and the retail products you plan to sell. Don’t forget to include financial projections, such as startup costs, expected revenue, and ongoing expenses. This information is crucial if you need to secure funding from investors or lenders.
A comprehensive dog grooming business plan also covers your marketing strategy. Think about how you’ll attract new clients, promote your grooming and retail offerings, and build your brand in the community. By creating a thorough business plan, you’ll have a roadmap to guide your daily operations and make informed decisions as your business grows.
Your retail offerings should align with your services, brand, and client needs. For dog groomers, that means products that support ongoing coat care and hygiene. Here are some ideas to work into your pet-care business:
Pro tip: Start with a small, curated selection of products you personally use and recommend during grooms. As you know, it's important to invest in high-quality dog grooming tools to ensure safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Always buy dog grooming tools from reputable sources to support your professional success. Pet parents will trust your expertise and buy with confidence.
You don’t need a huge retail floor to succeed. Even a small, well-organized display near your checkout counter or waiting area can drive sales.
When designing your grooming space, consider the overall layout to ensure efficiency and safety. A dedicated bath area equipped with sinks and grooming tools streamlines the washing process, while a secure holding space or kennel provides a comfortable environment for dogs waiting for their turn. Organizing these areas thoughtfully helps maintain a smooth workflow and enhances the customer experience.
Your retail display should feel like a natural extension of your grooming services — not cluttered, but complementary.
One of the most effective retail strategies is having groomers and front desk staff make personalized recommendations.
This isn’t pushy sales—it’s an extension of the care you already provide.
As your dog grooming business grows to include retail sales, having the right team in place is more important than ever. A successful grooming salon relies on experienced dog groomers who deliver top-notch grooming services, as well as knowledgeable retail staff who can recommend the best products for every pet and pet parent.
When hiring employees, look for individuals who are passionate about pet care and have experience working with pets. Strong customer service skills are a must, as your team will be the face of your business and play a key role in building customer loyalty. Ongoing training is essential—make sure your staff is well-versed in both grooming techniques and the features and benefits of your retail products.
A well-trained team not only enhances the customer experience but also helps drive retail sales. Encourage your staff to share their expertise with pet parents, offer personalized recommendations, and create a welcoming environment for both pets and their owners. By investing in your team, your pet-care business can successfully integrate retail sales and deliver exceptional service under one roof.
Pet-care business software like Gingr is designed to help pet-care businesses, including pet groomers and any business owner in the pet care industry, streamline their operations and retail integration. Instead of juggling separate systems, Gingr lets you manage appointments, services, and retail all in one platform.
With Gingr, you can quickly create and categorize products in your POS system.
Track stock levels, set reorder points, and run reports to see which items sell best. No more manual counts or guesswork.
Easily add retail items to customer invoices—whether as an add-on to grooming services or a stand-alone sale. Gingr keeps everything recorded for accurate reporting.
Through Gingr’s customer portal, you can make retail available online. Clients can reorder their favorite shampoo or treats for pickup at their next appointment. Clients can also conveniently book online and purchase retail products through the Gingr customer portal at any time, making the process easy and accessible. This convenience builds long-term loyalty.
Integrating retail sales into your dog grooming business requires careful financial management to ensure profitability and sustainable growth. Start by tracking all retail sales separately from your grooming services, so you can monitor which products are performing best and adjust your inventory accordingly. Investing in a reliable point-of-sale system and accounting software will help streamline your financial operations and reduce manual errors.
It’s also important to build strong relationships with suppliers to negotiate the best pricing on retail products, which can significantly improve your profit margins. Keep a close eye on expenses related to inventory, marketing, and staffing, and regularly review your financial reports to identify trends and opportunities for growth.
A well-planned financial strategy will help your dog grooming business make informed decisions about pricing, promotions, and inventory management. By staying on top of your finances, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the challenges of retail integration and position your business for long-term success.
Even if you have great products, they won’t sell themselves. Promote your retail in ways that feel natural to your clients:
For example: “Buy 5 grooms, get a free bottle of shampoo” or “Earn points on every retail purchase.”
One of the most powerful aspects of Gingr is its reporting features. You can see at a glance:
These insights help you refine your offerings and maximize profit.
Quality and safety should always be top priorities for dog grooming businesses, especially when expanding into retail. Make sure all grooming equipment and tools are regularly cleaned, sanitized, and maintained to provide a safe and comfortable environment for pets. Your grooming salon should be spotless, with clear protocols in place for handling both grooming services and retail products.
Establish guidelines for storing and displaying retail items to ensure they remain in excellent condition. Train your staff on proper product handling, customer service best practices, and safety procedures to minimize risks and maintain high standards. Regularly review your operations with inspections and audits to identify any areas for improvement.
By prioritizing quality and safety, your dog grooming business can build trust with pet owners, protect your reputation, and ensure the well-being of every pet in your care. Consistently high standards will set your grooming salon apart and help you create a loyal customer base that values both your grooming expertise and your retail offerings.
Integrating retail into your grooming salon doesn’t have to be complicated. With a curated product selection, a welcoming display, trained staff, and Gingr’s all-in-one retail tools, you can create a seamless, profitable retail experience for your clients.
Retail isn’t just an upsell—it’s a way to extend the care you already provide, strengthen client relationships, and grow your business sustainably.
Integrating retail is also an important strategy for building a successful business in the pet grooming industry.
Ready to make retail integration simple at your grooming salon? Explore how Gingr’s retail features can transform your business today. Book a demo with Gingr today!