opening a tack shop

If you have the space and the knowledge to price it all, a secondhand section might be a goo way to get people in. I really miss not having somewhere like Catlips to go and exchange good quality stuff I no longer need, or buy secondhand jackets, jodhpurs (especially for children), saddles, bridles etc - sometimes you don't want to buy a new bridle part if it is an older bridle! But this would take a while to build up, and a bit of care to organise and keep attractive and enticing.
 
zundert said:
I am working with a business advisor so he is not leaving anything out i even need to account for a light bulb.
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This kind of micro budgeting is not what I would go with; you should have a sundry fund separate from your working capital fund.

If you are prepared for the fact that you are unlikely to break even for a year-18 months and even then fail within the first 5 years then go for it. But bearing in mind turnover of stock and how much capital needs to be invested in stock, tack shops really need to diversify to be able to stay in business. Also if you are giving up a decent job/salary then it is totally not worth it IMO.
 
I suggest you become a member of BETA first of all and then you can get all the retailers you like there!

It is exciting starting a new venture but ensure you cater for either everyone across the board from the skinnys to the larger cuddly ladies or become unique in what you sell.

I adore The shop @ houghton hall as there is exclusive equestrian ware and Patsy Bates has all the top suppliers and goes to Germany to get the top items that are coming through

You will always have the discount online lot breathing down your neck but if you are careful as to where you set up like a farm hence no business rates as that will be a killer, but on a farm you will have space and plenty of parking!

I miss coleman croft I really do! Plenty of parking for horse lorrys and you could bring your horse down and try the hundreds of saddles from upstairs.

Good luck
 
I love a good tack shop,we used to have loads around here but over time most have closed down. We are left with four within reasonable travelling distance and if I want to buy something these are always the first port of call, sadly I very rarely find what I'm looking for in the shops. The answer is always ' well we can order it for you'. The problem is that I can order it on the Internet as well! So having a good stock is vital.
A secondhand selection would be a good idea, as would unusual things like extra large or small bits, bridles, rugs etc. most tack shops seem to just carry bog-standard sizes and low quality items but if you think about it these are also the easiest items to buy online. More specialised items such as western and endurance are much harder to find, even online.
Best of luck, we need more tack shops.
 
To make it a success you are going to need to be able to compete on price with on-line tack shops and also keep all the usual consumable products in stock which will mean having to invest at least £150k (£150,000) in just the stock alone. You will need to offer first class service and be aware that you will be be working on very small margins and relying on a large turnover to generate any profits at all.
 
My local tack and feed store which had been there forever finally packed it in a few years ago, mainly because they had just been burgled for the nth time. The final time the thieves pinched a digger, drove it across the fields and through the hedges to get to the shop, then staight in through the feedroom doors. The owners actually lived on site but you don't come outside and argue with people like that.
 
Have you thoroughly researched your market?

Lots of tack shops are struggling at the moment. The internet gives far to much variety and without their her cost or rent etc often cheaper.

There has been two new shops open nearby recently, one is based at a garden centre so has a coffe shop etc on site and sell unique bespoke items, like a horsey boutique often a lot more expensive with a limited market but as long as they advertise they do get the right customers.

The other sells lots of second hand items, which I think is a great idea.
I've not been there much so not sure if they buy from you then sell on or sell on your behave.

Good luck, do lots of research Nd know your market.
 
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I have done a lot of research finding out why people buy on the Internet and what they would look for from their local tack shop and what would make them shop there opposed to online... Scotland has much lower rental prices I have found ideal premises and know what my stock will be I am currently looking at suppliers that can provide the selection I have chosen. Most people on my yard and surrounding yards still use the shop just that it is a trek away....
 
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