To: Fish store owners.

ImpAngel123 · 01/27/2008, 08:10 PM

Hi, I am an owner of a fish store. I am a new fish store, around 9-10 months. Around 5-6 Months I had a very good spike in customers and my store has been very busy. Customers have come and gone, tanks complete, and coming every so-so week/month. All of a sudden it has been very slow. Around Mid-December. Is it the same for you guys?
I've had the same fish in my tanks for 4 weeks at a time. All my fish are healthy and eating, none have died.

What has sales been like for you? I was told winter time was good for fish stores.

A couple people have told me this seasons slow for fish stores. Anyone have input on this?

Nicholas89 · 01/27/2008, 08:18 PM

Well, depending on where you are, economic issues can be the biggest down fall. A slower economy and people are less likely to splurge and buy a fish tank/fish.

I work at a LFS, and today I was sent home early because we were rather slow.

And yeah, winter is supposed to be the good time of the year for fish stores. (Never understood why, whatever). Thats why we do ponds mostly during the warm months.

SuperAWE · 01/27/2008, 08:21 PM

^^ Current economic conditions are a part. It trickles down from the top and effects all businesses. Maybe some creative marketing ideas to generate some foot traffic into the store. Local radio station at store for a saturday, raffle day (buy something in store over certain price say >$25, then you are entered to win a prize/GC....etc. Also depends on your prices versus online prices and your customer support/knowledge of trade.

I would continue to buy buy buy at the LFS but the wifey puts the brakes on nowadays much more than she used to.

Wish you the best of luck and more customers!!

PogoMonogo · 01/27/2008, 08:22 PM

I work at a LFS. We are lucky in that we do very well every year. But, this is a very bad time from my understanding. Alot of stores in the state (florida) have gone under, despite being 20+ year old stores. Most people care only about getting the absolute cheapest fish/products they can (ie the internet) but want the LFS to anwser all the questions. Christmas time this year was less than it was generally in years past, people being much tighter do to the economy coupled with holiday spending. Thats my 2 cents.

01/27/2008, 08:10 PM	#1
ImpAngel123 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1	To: Fish store owners. Hi, I am an owner of a fish store. I am a new fish store, around 9-10 months. Around 5-6 Months I had a very good spike in customers and my store has been very busy. Customers have come and gone, tanks complete, and coming every so-so week/month. All of a sudden it has been very slow. Around Mid-December. Is it the same for you guys? I've had the same fish in my tanks for 4 weeks at a time. All my fish are healthy and eating, none have died. What has sales been like for you? I was told winter time was good for fish stores. A couple people have told me this seasons slow for fish stores. Anyone have input on this?

01/27/2008, 08:18 PM	#2
Nicholas89 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 218	Well, depending on where you are, economic issues can be the biggest down fall. A slower economy and people are less likely to splurge and buy a fish tank/fish. I work at a LFS, and today I was sent home early because we were rather slow. And yeah, winter is supposed to be the good time of the year for fish stores. (Never understood why, whatever). Thats why we do ponds mostly during the warm months.

01/27/2008, 08:21 PM	#3
SuperAWE Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 245	^^ Current economic conditions are a part. It trickles down from the top and effects all businesses. Maybe some creative marketing ideas to generate some foot traffic into the store. Local radio station at store for a saturday, raffle day (buy something in store over certain price say >$25, then you are entered to win a prize/GC....etc. Also depends on your prices versus online prices and your customer support/knowledge of trade. I would continue to buy buy buy at the LFS but the wifey puts the brakes on nowadays much more than she used to. Wish you the best of luck and more customers!!

01/27/2008, 08:22 PM	#4
PogoMonogo Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 582	I work at a LFS. We are lucky in that we do very well every year. But, this is a very bad time from my understanding. Alot of stores in the state (florida) have gone under, despite being 20+ year old stores. Most people care only about getting the absolute cheapest fish/products they can (ie the internet) but want the LFS to anwser all the questions. Christmas time this year was less than it was generally in years past, people being much tighter do to the economy coupled with holiday spending. Thats my 2 cents.