What the Spanish pet trade thinks

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The study is based on a survey carried out last year in which 217 Spanish pet dealers took part. It provides extensive information on the structure, range and advertising activities of the Spanish pet product trade and also on its views of current topics in the sector and the attitudes of its customers. 49 per cent of those questioned believe that the development of the pet sector in Spain is progressing steadily. 29 per cent even expect growth compared with the last two years. 22 per cent assume, however, that a downward sales trend will emerge. The results are similar with regard to dealers' own sales expectations: 42 per cent rate them as positive, 38 per cent as unchanged and 20 per cent as negative. A survey relating to the number of staff employed revealed that the overwhelming majority of Spanish pet businesses are small shops. In 22 per cent of these, the proprietor is a "one-man band". 27 per cent employ one person, 22 per cent have two employees, 11 per cent three employees and just 8 per cent employ more than three people.
The need for training in the pet supplies trade Most proprietors (89 per cent) rate their knowledge of pet keeping as high. But it's a different picture when it comes to aspects of business management like sales, accounts, marketing etc. Only 55 per cent think that their knowledge in this field is adequate, whereas 42 per cent consider their business know-how to be rather limited. When asked about the areas in which there is a need for training, the respondents gave answers in the same vein: 65 per cent feel that training in marketing and management is required, 31 per cent want training in aquarium keeping, 29 per cent training in human resources and 26 per cent training in the handling and care of animals. This shows that more than a few businesses concede that there are gaps in their knowledge of keeping pets. There is great interest among Spanish pet shop owners in the Internet. 63 per cent of those questioned have their own website, and 25 per cent have even taken a course online. Another question related to the aspects which, in the opinion of pet shop owners, are most highly valued by pet shop customers. "Excellent attention" was the reply from 36 per cent, followed by "Good general aspect of the shop" (32 per cent) and "wide variety of products" (31 per cent). 30 per cent of pet dealers think that an all-round service, including shop, grooming service and a…