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| PET GAZETTE
WINTER PONDS | PET GAZETTE |
39
A CHILL IN THE AIR
Winter is almost here, now is the time to think about pond care
and educate customers about precautions they may need to take
A
lthough it might be hard
to believe with the 20
degree sunshine the UK
has been sporadically and
uncharacteristically receiving,
winter is on its way. It’s
important to prepare customers to protect
their animals when temperatures begin to
plummet. Pet Gazette has put together three
top tips to remember this cold season.
1
MOVE THE FOCUS
AWAY FROM FOOD
As it becomes colder, pond fishes'
metabolisms begin to slow down. This
means they don’t need as much food as
they become mostly inactive over the
winter period. It can actually be harmful for
customers to feed their pond fish at certain
times, so draw focus to other items. Why not
add a new range of indoor tank products
to entice customers into store? Increasing
your aquarium offering will maintain sales
and keep customers who want to join the
fishkeeping-hobby, happy.
2
DECREASE THE POND
SECTION AND FOCUS
ON INDOOR TANKS
In winter, adding new fish to a pond can be
dangerous as they remain mostly inactive at
this time. Turn customer’s attention to indoor
tanks as they are able to house goldfish
throughout the winter months. Slowly
progress from a large outdoor section to
a more niche one. Don’t make this change
suddenly, as owners may rely on your
products to care for their pets. Gradually
begin to phase out pond items to have
a selection of winter items. For example,
there are products available that are animal
friendly and will keep the ice from freezing
www.petgazette.biz
August 2017
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as much. General maintenance products
such as salt and treatments should also be
continually stocked.
3
PROVIDE ADVICE
FOR CUSTOMERS
If consumers are new to the world
of ponds or even experienced owners, it
doesn’t hurt to refresh their memories on
how to care for pets in the winter. Most
owners will know that smashing the ice build
up on a pond can be dangerous, use in-store
infographics or signs to help let people new
to the hobby know. Weighted bottles or balls
should be placed on the surface instead so
there is constant m