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What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops?

Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

ghostsword said:
mlgt said:
Looking forward to some substrate with a picture of Luis.
Also if you open a market stall Im sure I will pop by and take some pics for ya :D

Cheers Rik, it is well appreciated.. Would like to be the only market stall with aquatic plants and display tanks. :)

One display tank would be enough to convince the masses, wouldn't need fish.


Personally i would steer clear of doing aquatics on a market stall. 20 years in market retail stalls = aquatics + scrotes = smashed tanks and lots of thieving buggers.
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

Hi all,
I'd start selling a limited range of plants via Ebay whilst your working, you could see what there is a market for, and over time, as the money came in, expand your range to include other small non-perishable easily posted items, things that come to mind are stainless steel mesh squares, (ex) medical tweezers, scissors etc. If you go for small items you don't have trouble with storage and if you have some low value "bread & butter" items as well as more expensive it will keep you ticking over. If you can build up a cash float you have the option to buy a job lot of Koralias, Small Eheim filters, T5 luminaires, Optiwhite cubes etc. if the chance appears. If you are interested in propagating equipment the Met. police may have regular sales of the stuff they've seized from c*nnabis growers, and lights, "Fill and drain systems" and propagators etc. may be available at knock-down prices.

I'd also have a look at what "Rare Aquatics", "TGM", "TA Aquaculture" and "the Last Trading Post", sell for other ideas. If you don't mind posting livestock, shrimps might offer another line.

I used to grow and sell a few plants (more unusual Hardy Ornamental Nursery Stock & a few grasses) before Ebay as a side line after work. It was hard work and became less and less lucrative as the range of plants you could buy of the shelf expanded and even though horticulture was a fast growing sector the demand for the more specialist plants declined.

One problem was that the gardening general public didn't really have any conception of the true value of a plant, when I started I specialised in plants which were expensive because they were difficult to propagate (usually they needed to be grafted, or you got a low percentage take as a cutting) or slow growing, but relatively easy to grow once you got them, and initially I did quite well, but in any location (maybe not so much in a major city) it's a small market and easily saturated. It maybe an option again with the wider reach of the internet.

The major problem was that people might like the look of a "Daphne bholua" or "Kalmia latifolia" say, but because it was a little plant for £10 (and very little profit at £10) they would buy a cheaper "alternative" say a Daphne odora (much easier to propagate) or even a Lavender or Mallow, which was only £2, but only cost the producer 20p to produce.

The other problem was that the plants in vogue changed even amongst enthusiasts (bit like fish really, I'll bet that the "L. number" vogue is almost over), often with a new plant being very sort after, but interest in it rapidly declining if it was particularly difficult to grow (say very slug prone or not hardy), or the supply expanding if it was easy to grow (Corydalis flexuosa for example), or in some cases they just went out of fashion for no apparent reason.

cheers Darrel
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

I've considered going into the aquatic industry full-time it but it's too risky given my circumstances.

I don't think the demand is there yet to justify going full-on into a 'high street' planted tank shop. However, I do like the franchise idea from TGM, as it presents less risk, with a reputation and support network already there. I would also like to see other successful online store branching out into running their own physical shops too.

Don't forget that your perception of the planted tank hobby maybe a little distorted; a result of spending a lot of time on forums like this and assuming that more fishkeeping hobbyists are into the planted thing. It simply isn't the case.

Go on to the plant section of general fishkeeping forums and you'll soon realise that the vast majority of fishkeepers still have no clue about the modern planted tank and aquascaping hobby. Even fewer are willing to invest the necessary time, effort and cash to be able to run a half-decently aquascaped and well-maintained planted aquarium.

What is really disappointing is the lack of decent planted display tanks around the UK aquatic retailers. These are potentially the best possible advert for the hobby for potential customers, but shop after shop simply do not have a clue. I have actually considered running training courses for shop managers and staff on how to set up, aquascape and maintain a planted tank. Unfortunately I do not have the time.

I've been in the hobby for about 8 years now and have spend a good proportion of that trying my best to spread the word. Things like PFK (of old) and UKAPS have helped, but going back to my original point, I think it would be very challenging to make a living from a high street planted tank shop in the UK right now. With all due respect, and I fully encourage the enthusiasm, I think some of you may be a little naive to think otherwise.

Please, do prove me wrong. I'd love to pay a visit and I may even buy something!
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

If unsure about a shop why not ask all your LFS if you could set up a display tank they could supply some of the normal equipment you could offer the more expertise stuff.
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

Anywhere high street does, in my opinion, need an online presence too - this is where the mass aquascaping market is for the most part.
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

JamesM said:
btw, are PFK not supporting the planted tank hobby anymore then?
Some nice features coming soon, I hear...

I liked Keymaker's Your Tanks in the latest issue.

stevec said:
If unsure about a shop why not ask all your LFS if you could set up a display tank they could supply some of the normal equipment you could offer the more expertise stuff.
A lot of shops simply aren't interested. It's worth asking though for sure, and I'm certainly not the only UKAPS Member that has helped set up display aquariums for the industry with a view to promoting the planted tank and aquascaping hobby.

Long-term maintenance is likely the limiting factor, and being limited to products and techniques only the shop sell and advocate. How many LFS will recommend dosing nitrates and phosphates and having uber-circulation in a planted tank where you go through 10x more CO2 than 'usual'? Unfortunately a lot of the trade is still in the dark ages where this hobby is concerned.

Slowly but surely, with the help of people like us and the likes of TGM and other decent specialist shops, we see improvements. Small steps...

When I think of how the UK hobby was when I started; pressurised CO2 was real rarity... And that was less than 10 years ago.
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

stevec said:
If unsure about a shop why not ask all your LFS if you could set up a display tank they could supply some of the normal equipment you could offer the more expertise stuff.

I tried this.

George Farmer said:
How many LFS will recommend dosing nitrates and phosphates and having uber-circulation in a planted tank where you go through 10x more CO2 than 'usual'? Unfortunately a lot of the trade is still in the dark ages where this hobby is concerned.

and found this. they would only accept it using off the shelf products they stocked. After one too many 'phosphate is evil' discussions I retreated gracefully!

George's, Darrels and Gills recent posts in this thread really resonate with my experiences and opinions.
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

TGM shows that high street can work, though I wonder on the income generated from the high street compares with that generated online through their website and via eBay.
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

[quote="George Farmer
Slowly but surely, with the help of people like us and the likes of TGM and other decent specialist shops, we see improvements. Small steps...

When I think of how the UK hobby was when I started; pressurised CO2 was real rarity... And that was less than 10 years ago.[/quote]

Surely those that dare try it now time they become established (working on the notion that you dont make money for the 1st 2 years of business) will reap the benefit
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

I'd imagine so yeah - I had the idea of an online house sales website. Tell it where you want to live, how much to spend etc, then hit search. Never did anything with it, 12 months later, bang, everyone is doing it!
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

nry said:
TGM shows that high street can work, though I wonder on the income generated from the high street compares with that generated online through their website and via eBay.

TGM are not what I would term high street outlet. I`m not sure whether you have been there, but a visit would show you how much they have elevated themselves above high street aquatics. TGM is more than just somewhere to buy plants, it is a delve in to the world of what the planted tank hobby should be.

Elevating yourself above the scabby little joints selling non aquatic plants is easy. Becoming a successful brand that will succeed in a minuscule hobby is another. I think George is right in suggesting that visiting planted tank forums gives an inflated view of the actual size of the hobby.

Nevertheless, no one ever got rich listening to me!

Dave.
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

I know personally, I try and stay away from the bigger commercial businesses like Maidenhead Aquatics. There are 5 localish to me and the quality of the fish and plants really varies a lot. In one, the fish were really well kept, yet the plants, you'd have to pulll off all the algee to seperate the individual plants. I much prefer to support local small businesses and pay that bit more. As long as the staff come across knowledgeable and they keep the place in order, ie, removing dead fish from tanks promptly, keeping plants clean, then it gives me more confidence in what I'm investing in and I'm far more likely to return. Unlike many businesses, the aquarium shops need staff who come across as hobbiests/enthusiasts and not as someone who is just working there to earn a wage. But of cours, in this day and age, it's vital to have a web side with online ordering and it's vital that this is kept on top of. If orders go out late or the web site is not kept up to date constantly, people tend to steer away.

I think it's a brave step to set up a shop, but if you do it, I hope it succeeds. Sadly my local shop fell foul of increased rental prices and increased difficulty in parking.
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

Dave Spencer said:
nry said:
TGM shows that high street can work, though I wonder on the income generated from the high street compares with that generated online through their website and via eBay.

TGM are not what I would term high street outlet. I`m not sure whether you have been there, but a visit would show you how much they have elevated themselves above high street aquatics. TGM is more than just somewhere to buy plants, it is a delve in to the world of what the planted tank hobby should be.

Elevating yourself above the scabby little joints selling non aquatic plants is easy. Becoming a successful brand that will succeed in a minuscule hobby is another. I think George is right in suggesting that visiting planted tank forums gives an inflated view of the actual size of the hobby.

Nevertheless, no one ever got rich listening to me!

Dave.

I haven't got rich at all yet so no worries there :)

I mean high street in the terms of sales generated over the counter vs online. From all posts on here, TGM is certainly not just a shop selling plants :)
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

Interesting that the moment opening a high street shop was mentioned that the discussion became bogged down with the complexity of keeping livestock when what we are interested in here is plants and equipment for planted tanks that you can't get at your lfs. If you need to sell fish to make a high street shop work I wouldn't bother starting there I would start small from home selling via ebay (similar to Darrels suggestion) then scale up to a warehouse and then maybe open it up as shop. Someone in our office did this a few years ago for rubber stamps (related to card making/craft hobby). They effectively swapped a well paid 9-5 IT job for a low paid 24/7 no holiday existence but I think they are happy being their own boss. Along the way before their turnover was high enough to support them they had to hold down part time jobs on top of their business.

I would also be a bit wary starting a hobby based business atm because I think the next few years are going to be financially tough for many with less disposable income. If I were to lose my job the first thing I would cut back on is my hobbies.

One thing that did catch my eye was the shop in Hong Kong in this post http://ukaps.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=10876 where there was a tank selling ready grown carpets of HC - selling ready made carpets could be an interesting place to start for a small home grown business - a bit like the turf rolls for gardens.
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

@ Brenmuk,

I do agree with you as well, if to have a successful one has to also sell fish, then it will be harder, keeping fish is much harder than keeping plants. :), much much harder on my opinion. I got healthy fish, they usually last two to three years, and this for neons, have not got fungus, or fin rot or even ich on my tank (not yet!), but I keep a quarantine tank, and do not have than many fish.

On a shop it would be different, this would mean keeping lots and lots of fish, high turn over, and that would mean for sure lots of deaths.

Regarding hobbies, keeping plants and planted tanks is not just a hobby, more of a way of life. Does unemployed people stop smoking? Or stop having dogs and cats?

I have now started to offer small tumbler glasses with riccia on it, as a pet plant.. :) my colleagues cannot kill it, no over watering and lots of sun light, just got to change the water twice a week.. Perfect pet! :D

I do believe that a good planted shop will be sucessfull, just plants, no fish.
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

Someone said it early on in the thread - why turn a passion into a 'just a job'? Most of us get on very happily doing jobs that are rewarding and diverting, without being passionate about them. It may be tempting to think turning a passion into a job would be heaven itself - and I'm sure if you get it right it can be. But I think the greater likelihood is that you'd destroy the passion itself.

I love gardening and cooking, but I'd hate to lose the joy they bring by making them my job. I bet we all know people who do something that nominally they are passionate about, but who've seen the thing degrade into something rather less gripping than they anticipated. Surely the most successful businesses follow profit as well as passion - if you discover a sideline is generating significant profit, and the passionate germ that started the business is not, then you too easily wind up mowing lawns (instead of designing gardens), or doing endless hog-roasts (instead of running your own restaurant).

George is passionate about plants and fishkeeping - but I've got to say my eyebrows raised a little when I saw the latest PFK tank, overstocked with (what I think are) grotesque and bizarre goldfish and plastic plants. Only my taste and my opinion, you understand. And no criticism whatever is intended of Mr F - it's yet another brilliant tank in its way. Perhaps George loved it, or perhaps it's just the price to be paid for creating some of the gems he's produced in previous PFKs. But I guess it shows that being your own boss or freelancing does not mean you're 'in charge' - commercial pressure, customers' requirements and market forces are all there to divert you away from your passion.

Having been so negative I'll say that, if I had what it takes, I'd snap up a TGM franchise like THAT!
 
Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops

I ended up with computers for a job which destroyed the desire to have them at home, however I only have 1 small 60cm aquarium at home...

I'd like a job where I am the boss - that in itself would be the reward I reckon.
 
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