18
| PET GAZETTE | AQUATIC
SMART TECHNOLOGY
TO HELP FISHKEEPERS
IMPROVE THEIR AQUARIUM
By Simon Strode, key account manager, Tetra UK
I
n a world where technology
seems to be part of and
influencing every aspect of
our lives, it isn’t surprising
that fishkeeping is becoming
increasingly tech savvy. From programmable
lighting to water quality monitors; technology
is really making fishkeeping easier all over the
world, and is a sector that you as a retailer
can use to create conversations with your
customers and boost sales.
The benefits that technology
brings to your customer base
The technological advancements that we
have experienced in the past few years have
made fishkeeping more accessible than
ever. For example, automatic feeder means
that anyone with any lifestyle can start their
fishkeeping journey, and enables those who
spend a lot of time away from home to feed
their fish accurate food portions without worry.
Water test apps are also great in removing
the guesswork involved with using test kits
and relying on the naked eye to assess the
colour of results. Some apps also recommend
products to support water parameters
enabling you to boost your sales and the
customer to be successful.
The benefits that technology brings
to your business
Technology can only have a positive impact
on your business, but you need to keep up
to date with the developments in order to
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understand what’s available as this will allow
you to position yourself as an expert to your
customers. By showcasing the benefits of how
technology can help shoppers it will not only
make their experience as easy as possible
helping to decrease dropout rates and giving
you a healthy and retained base for your
business, but it will also attract more tech
savvy consumers.
will be happy to help you set up in-store
demonstration areas to wow shoppers.
Try also launching innovative new
equipment in store rather than just putting on
the shelf or experimenting with educational
workshops, teaching your customers how to
use the newest products on the market and
demonstrating how it could improve their
fishkeeping experience. As well as positioning
you as an expert in your field, it can also help
you draw in new customers and excite your
current customer base.
Key trends to tap into to help boost sales
We know that more and more consumers
are shopping online for ease, however the
aquatics industry has a huge advantage over
others and that is the experience retailers
can bring to store in terms of showcasing
technology and livestock.
As with all bricks and mortar stores, it’s still
important to have an online presence as you
can use this to your advantage to encourage
shoppers in-store by highlighting the unique
experience on offer such as demonstrations,
There are also ways you can use technology displays, advice and on the spot expertise.
You should embrace the technological
to improve the in-store experience for your
advancements that the pet sector is currently
visitors. Having equipment set up will enable
experiencing and look to utilise them to
you to demonstrate how products work while
expand your business. Positioning yourself as
also appearing more attractive than boxes
a technology expert and helping to educate
and packaging ever will. This also helps to
create a fresh look in your store and gives your your customer base on how they too can use
staff an easy way of getting more familiar and the products to improve their fishkeeping will
really help your store and the industry
hands on with the products you are selling.
to thrive.
Speak to manufacturers for support as many
September 2018