Niches offer opportunities

The pet store chains know what they are doing. In nearly all of the big shopping malls with a high footfall in the home of Walt Disney World, at least one outlet belonging to PetSmart, Petco, Petland or another speciality chain can be found. Good locations make a significant contribution to the steady consolidation by the chains of their market position. In big cities, independent pet shops often have little choice but to take up residence on the edge of town and get themselves known via word of mouth; occupying premises in these big malls is out of the question on account of the high rents demanded. Specialist in corals World Wide Corals is one such company seeking success in a niche. The marine specialist has managed to cultivate an image among hobbyists as a specialist in corals. Its range also includes marine fish species, anemones and reef-safe critters, along with some of the leading brands of food and technical accessories for marine aquariums. The aquarium capacity is over 22 700 l. The main attraction in the store is a 2 000 l show tank at the entrance. Since World Wide Corals runs a retail and a wholesale operation on the well-frequented S. Orange Blossom Trail, the company’s customers even include marine aquarium enthusiasts from Mexico, Brazil and other countries in Central and Latin America. Aquatic management Another company that has a great affinity with aquatics is Bottled Ocean, located to the north of Orlando. Under its motto “We bring the ocean to you”, the company has built up its grass roots business for over ten years by establishing itself as the designer of choice for professional, commercial and residential custom aquariums. Bottled Ocean points out that it works closely with top designers, builders and architects in and around the central Florida area and nationally. Bottled Ocean has launched an Aquatic Management Division and currently works with several Fortune 500 companies, having established aquatic management programmes that are custom-designed and tailored to each company’s needs. The aquarium specialist has a full maintenance department with several trucks on the road servicing the greater Orlando area and west to Lakeland. Its service includes weekly visits for saltwater customers and bi-weekly visits for freshwater customers. The service technicians of the company are trained in preventative maintenance procedures to ensure a proper, healthy-looking aquarium. Everything for dogs Fashion Paws is taking an entirely…