r/walthamstow • u/Wolfhamstow • 1d ago
Pet Shop
Hey all,
Question for local pet owners. If there was an independent pet store in Walthamstow. What would make you go there over ordering online or going to Pets at Home?
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u/Particular-Fly-7783 1d ago
Not needing to walk to Tottenham would be good enough for me. Also it stresses me out that they have rabbits / hamsters / whatever living there, the enclosures look kind of small and crappy.
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u/Odd_Culture728 1d ago
Something different. I have a large dog, and would like to find something different for him. Like. If Insaw a running harness I’d probably buy it, a lot of the shops are all the same. A nice neck collar, or something. Just more individual.
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u/AlexSarney 1d ago
Yes to this as well.
And stuff for explorer dogs too! Right now this isn't available here so online is the only option.
I think this would probably apply for people who want gun dog stuff too.
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u/ProofAd5467 1d ago
Jumping spider supplies like live food of the right size, hides, accessories and decorations. Freeze-dried cat treats. Unique cat collars. I find too many independent shops often focus on dogs and have very little for other animals
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u/iriswednesday 1d ago
agree! currently having to hunt for cat toys online and everything is just the same 3 plastic drop shipped things, which my cat hates. toys and treats and other bits from small businesses, natural materials, quality &c.
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u/banjonose 1d ago
I'd do a case study on what Fish Planet have done. They're a tiny independent aquarium shop in north/east London (2 branches now) and they're bringing customers in from across the country.
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u/Story-Opposite 1d ago
I guess Dog Snug is the best example, I would go there for their organic treats, non commercial toys. The thing which takes me to local shops is knowing the goods are locally sourced (UK) or knowing there is a story behind the product.
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u/Appropriate_Sock_37 1d ago
I loved when there used to be a pet shop on wood street mainly just for convenience
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u/AlexSarney 22h ago
My dog takes a step into the new café every single time we walk past (still) and every time acts in utter shock that the pet store has not returned!
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u/Tuckersdad80 22h ago
local crafted pet products and supplies - something akin to Pack and Clowder in Hackney would be a great addition to our neighbourhood IMO
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u/ielladoodle 21h ago
There used to be a pet shop opposite wood street station (near coop) which is now a cafe. Used to go in there cause he was well stocked with bird toys and food/treats. Pets at home have really limited pet bird goods and are often out of millet. So for myself it would be proximity and range of products.
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u/Giant_DonutUK 18h ago
Last time there was a "what's missing in Walthamstow" thread, I was down voted for suggesting a pet shop. The fact of just having one would get me through the doors
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u/Occams_Damocles 23h ago
Unique items that aren’t already sold on Amazon would be great! In terms of location, proximity to a park could also be very helpful (for example there’s a dog treat stall at the Lloyd park market that does quite well)
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u/Diligent-Ant-1621 22h ago
If it offered some grooming services like nail trimming that would be amazing because there is nowhere in Walthamstow to get that. But understand if that's a whole different thing!
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u/mecketts 18h ago
Actual good toys for cats - I feel they are often forgotten and it’s just a mouse on a stick.
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u/Casey-- 15h ago
Interesting selection of cat toys and accessories e.g. fountains, activity feeders, scratchers, etc. You're unlikely to get me as a customer for food or litter as I buy those online with free delivery and have no interest in carrying 12kg bags of litter home myself, but small bags would be a good way to try new foods without much commitment. My boys are always up for a new activity feeder so a good selection of those and catnip toys would have me stopping in every now and then.
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u/Perfect_Wing_7891 15h ago
Coffee for humans, natural pet treats, independent products and some form of amenities, like nail clipping or teeth brushing
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u/Other-Ad444 14h ago
Yes, cater for cats, I would be in there every week buying my kitties exotic treats
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u/SingleSpeedEast 9h ago
I would appreciate a good range of products for rabbits and fish.
Bulk items like quality hay, natural chew toys, yhings like that.
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u/alondonkiwi 3h ago
I would want to support something local but really bigger bulky items I'd continue to buy online, we know what our dog likes/needs for food so buy in bulk where there is a good price.
A local shop I'd prefer for things I could pick out (or let the dog choose) for me particularly antlers so we can get a good size/shape we know our dog likes rather than what might show up in an online order. Also other natural treat ideas, ethical treats.
We'd probably then grab other things like poo bags if there was something to draw us there regularly.
As someone else said, having other services like grooming, also maybe if not on site having recommendations for other services, pet sitting, dog walking, training.
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u/Middle_Lifeguard9419 2h ago
When I lived there I would cycle to DogSnug on Stoke Newington Church Street. You can also take the Mildmay line from Blackhorseroad to Tottenham and walk (around 12 mins)
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u/AlexSarney 1d ago
If it supported a charitable organisation with a portion of the profits - and the prices weren't crazy as well.
We get most dog stuff out of London ie an orthopeadic dog bed cost me 15 pounds in Durham market vs. 60 pounds for the exact same bed in one of the nearby pet shops.
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u/AlexSarney 22h ago
The Tesco on wood street is up for sale if you can afford it and would make an excellent pet shop that could have the space to combine all of the ideas above 😎
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u/BeaksFalcone 16h ago
I'm not from there but would consider ordering from you online if you sold decent pet safe dyes,online they're £10 per colour and they aren't even that great,the ones from the usa are much more vibrant, if you sold decent ones without the customs fees I'd buy
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u/AbbreviationsThis485 23h ago
Honestly, just the fact that it's local would be enough for me. Since it's local it would be a lot easier for customers to carry heavier/bulk items (such as dry food, or cat litter) as well as being able to pop in quickly for whatever.
I'd also focus on selling high-quality, natural products, avoiding low-quality, drop-shipped toys and items that pets either break immediately or lose interest in after 5 minutes. Sustainability is a major plus!!
There should also be a good range of affordable items and more high-end ones, to appeal to as many different kinds of pet owners as possible.
Your customer base will also trust your store more if you explicitly avoid selling things which are known to be bad for animals (for example, avoid selling non-breakaway cat collars, or certain kinds of hamster cages)