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VietNamNet - There’s a bizarre market in the list of Ho Chi Minh City supermarkets: a pet mart. Vietnam’s first pet mart is owned by Mr. Van Huy Phuong, who has never had any experience in doing business or business management. He launched such a risky business because he really loves pets.
“Grand master” of cats and dogs
Phuong revealed that since he was a little boy he has loved pets, especially dogs due to their loyalty and intelligence. Growing up he sought out books with information on breeds, and on caring and feeding dogs. Now, he has a “collection” of breeds including a Berger, a Rott Weiler, a New Foundland, and a Chihuahua.
“It’s hard to find purebred dogs, and dog lovers cannot always afford imported breeds and do not feel safe purchasing dogs at street markets…. Because I’m “addicted” to taking care of dogs, I understand clearly their concerns. Then I thought that something should be done to meet this demand”, said Phuong.
Only those with a decent disposable income can afford a “collection” of purebred dogs and cats. New Foundlands costs around $2,000, Dalmatians around 1 – 2 million VND, Rott Weilers VND2.5mil, Pugs VND1,8 – 3.5mil, and Bulldogs between VND8-10mil. A purebred Persian cat costs up to $20,000. The cheapest dog at Phuong Anh Pet Mart is worth VND800,000!
In addition pet lovers have to spend on pet food, veterinary care, and sometimes pet feeders, many wealthy families even recruit “pet sitters” to take care their dogs. Bearing this in mind, Phuong was determined to invest VND1bil to open his Pet Mart.
Huge market
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In Ho Chi Minh City, there’s a Pet Market for dogs and cats, but not yet for birds and fish. Bird and fish lovers have to find pets at small shops on the street.
For birds, it’s necessary to have an area large enough to grow plants and trees, with leaf canopies of varying heights, where cages can be hung up.
Phuong held that it was feasible to open a market for birds, but the most important thing is that owners love and know how to care for birds. |
At the moment, Phuong Anh Pet Mart sells 40 famous breeds of dogs and cats such as Phu Quoc dogs, German Shepherds, Dalmatians, Duchshunds, and American and Persian cats. The best selling breeds are Dalmatians, Phu Quoc dogs, Bulldogs, and Duchshunds.
When talking about the business of the pet market Phuong and many other Vietnamese, maintain that in this very new business in Vietnam there are no previous lessons to learn from. Hence Phuong has had to educate himself. He is not worried about a lack of knowledge of breeding or caring for dogs, instead his greatest concern is how to treat customers! Dogs and cats are are “living” goods for which people must be responsible.
One-month of operation has instilled Phuong with some good experiences in doing business in the pet industry. He said that it is difficult for inexperienced people to take care of younger dogs and so now he does not sell dogs under three-months old.
“What urged me to get into this business was a desire to see beautiful and strange breeds of dogs. One – month operation of the mart has resulted in optimistic returns. In the beginning, about 900 people per day visited the mart, now nearly 300 people per day come through the doors. This number has exceeded my expectations. I didn’t guess there would be such a huge demand”, Phuong said.
From this positive market reaction, Phuong has estimated that there is great potential in the pet business. “I’m learning as much as possible before I open a second Pet Mart. I plan to set up a dog farm. Importing dogs is not long-term. I want to be more active in inputs”, Phuong explained.
The Pet Mart is a lively example of Vietnam’s astute and flexible business environment. A businessman will profit from his initial idea “for fun” if he can satisfy the demand of customers.
Nguyen Sa | 
