Opening a Tack / Equestrian Shop

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Sjb1

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Hi all
Does anyone have any experience of opening an equestrian shop?
It's only ideas at the moment.
What sort of things would people most like to see in a tack shop.
I do live near a riding school with livery but i know the internet is a massive competition.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
:-)
 
I assume from this that you mean a shop with a physical presence, rather than an online shop.

If you have another business that has premises and can share then it will (probably) work. Otherwise have a look at suitable premises, work out how much it would cost you to run it for a year (factor in all bills including your loss of wages from current job) and then work out what the mark up is compared to online sales and then work out what your turnover needs to be to service the cost and break even. That figure does not of course include the cost of the stock - which will be an additional cash sum upfront.
 
Although the internet is your main competition, I find tack shops a lot like reading a book vs a kindle. I prefer to have the presence of the object. I love going to my local tack shops - they're my favourite shops! Things I like to see in there.... Hi Viz, bridles, bits, boots, rugs, grooming stuff, supplements. It's sometimes worth stocking something less popular as you'll get a loyal customer base if you stock something only a handful of people buy, or can order it in etc (obviously make sure there is a market for it, and possibly once you're established). Green tape! I couldn't find green tape anywhere, also red and blue tape, competition apparel (hair nets, jods, jackets, shirt/stocks etc).

But, I don't own my own so have no idea what sells the best, just what I buy from mine (usually feeds/supplements, boots, bits and rugs with the odd lead rope and head collar or whip). You could also set it up so you have an online shop running from your tack shop too? That way you could sell a lot more :)
 
pansymouse said:
I like to see niche/unusual things that I can't find easily elsewhere. Also I will always travel to a tack shop that has a café (especially one with homemade cake) :D
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Agree, it has to be a 'destination' not a shop to work. Things like a file where you can put adverts of horses for sale / lorries / livery / trainers / upcoming clinics & show is essential - thats the sort of thing that draws people in a sort of gossip shop as well as tack shop.

I would also specialise a bit, to hold a full range of rugs is the most outrageous amount of investment, same with saddles ….. maybe have a secondhand section where you sell other peoples things 'on commission' (i.e. you don't buy them, just pay the seller when they are sold) for say 20% commission would bring you in stock that you wouldn't have to have an outlay for.

Would especially see if you can have a business plan for second hand saddles. We all look at ebay and want a secondhand one, but are anxious in case it isn't as described. I think that would be a huge pull - there is a shop near us that does that and it is a real really draw. You should also invest in a 'port lewis impression pad' and hire that out as they are quite informative!
 
Thank you everyone - thats all great advise!!
I am just brain storming at the moment so going to print all your responses too!
:-) x
 
If you can also stock feed you have the regular footfall coming in who will then also pick up bits and bobs. I confess to internet shopping for the majority of my riding clothes and horse bits but will get fly sprays and the like from my local tack shop. Knowledgeable friendly staff are very important!
 
Def make it a destination type shop, a friend of mine set up a small equestrian shop a couple of years ago, it's booming, they sell mainly clothing like Joules, riding wear etc and a bit of horse stuff too. I sell greetings cards and prints to her, as I do funny horsey ones, and they sell really well there too, I sell to lots of tack shops come to think of it, so a good mix of practical and gift products is a must!:)
 
Lynsey&Smartie said:
If you can also stock feed you have the regular footfall coming in who will then also pick up bits and bobs. I confess to internet shopping for the majority of my riding clothes and horse bits but will get fly sprays and the like from my local tack shop. Knowledgeable friendly staff are very important!
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This. Definately feed and supplements would be the best thing as generally people dont buy that online. I get my feed from my local store, and I do pick up the odd small thing like last time I was in I picked up a bottle of antiseptic spray and a pair of cheap gloves. But I wouldnt tend to buy anything very expensive in them as you can always find cheaper online.
 
Be very focussed on your market segment. I was only pondering this weekend how we as a society are at peak “stuff”.

My spend at tack shops has plummeted as many of them stock “fluffy, wuffy and sparkly”. Instead I now seek out quality brands online or second hand. My one local tack shop that I still spend in knows which market segment I’m in, and proactively contacts me when something she thinks I will like comes in. We both know she makes a massive margin out of me but very happy customer and a very profitable one.

Also went to our big equestrian chain store recent pop up sale where they had 75% off clothing. What a load of tatt. Bought nothing as it was all fast fashion crap with giant logos across the crest or sparklies everywhere or cheap riding tights with large globules of silicon sticky that would do more than micro-tears on your saddle. Poor quality fabric and tailoring as well.

High margin sell through products as others have said, supplements, horse care, med supplies.

Consider a decent barista on staff as well - love a Saturday morning coffee, muffin and chat at tack shop. But make sure they are trained - s*** coffee shouldn’t be a thing.
 
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I hope you have deep pockets for stock. The nearest one to me, sells some feed which is the only reason I go in,coffee and cake but no where to sit, and is crammed full of mid priced goods, but it's difficult to find anything, they arranged the headcollars by colour not size.
The one I use most but is further away started in a large shed and now is huge and sells everything, basic footfall is for feed, and then you can by a low priced headcollar to high end brands, but they have the space and staff who know where everything is.
I have everything so the only time I go to one is for feed, but will buy bird food and perhaps something for the dog, which probabely have a higher mark up than a bag of feed. So apart from what do people want is what will make more profit, and pet sales attract more customers. I think it all depends on how much space you have.
 
People browse shops and try things on then buy online because it's cheaper.

Not everyone, but a lot. Shops with overheads can't sell as cheaply as online only places.

Good brands won't allow start ups to stock unless you put a heap of cash down upfront. Even then some brands don't want associated with start ups. There's also new brands who'll go with a small stockist initially then withdraw stock when they become established/mainstream.

The mark up on feed from wholesale is ~50p - £1.50. No one is going to get rich selling feed or bedding on a small scale.

If you're serious thr best place to start is pricing up an online shop - website, necessary technology to make sales online, postage and packing costs and advertising. Then start contacting brands to ask about stocking. You'll probably find big brands aren't interested and it'll be the very cheap end of the market until you get established.

Look into the bookkeeping, tax, bank accounts etc.

If you get as far as setting up online there will be relentless online marketing and advertising. Ideally coupled with yard visits/sales days, a trade stand for shows etc and thrn if all that does well you can increase stock and look into a physical location.

I personally know two people who set up and folded tack shops. Online more or less killed it. The first never made it out of the cheap brand section and people weren't wanting to buy no brand rugs etc Selling ad hoc stable stuff wasn't enough. The second managed to get big brands eventually after a very long slog of trade stands and constant advertising. Thrn some of the big brands pulled out or become too high priced to stock. They had a lot of people coming to try hats, BP, boots but wouldn't buy, only yo see later they bought cheaper online.

It's not impossible but it's hard work and difficult and you'd need a lot of capital behind you.
 
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