| Hamster Marketing |
Market Research - You have to see what there is out in your market. This means visiting local pet shops to see what they are stocking and selling. Make sure to talk to the owner and managers to see what their needs are for the market, and what they feel is selling. How much they sell over any certain time period. Determine if the shops have regular suppliers that they are happy with those suppliers. I have 2 shops that regularly buy from me, but also buy from a major regional wholesaler. I could never keep up with their constant needs on the scale I am comfortable with raising. They are always happy with my stock, saying my hamsters are healthier and friendlier. I can not keep quality high if I try to go too much in volume. Finding out what is available now, what will be needed for the future so that you would be able to add to the area that makes the store owners happy. I do not waste my time talking to the "big box" pet store chains. They are often under contract to a large distributor "multiplier", and will not work with a small hobby breeder Selling direct to the public is another option, but then having a lot of people in and out of the house in not always a great option for some people. I limit this to special friends and serious breeders only. Do not plan to raise animals that you hope you can sell later. This is a sure fire way to have a new breeder fail and get upset with the hobby. When starting out, you have to get out there and promote, or be ready to keep all the animals you raised for yourself, if not giving them away. |
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