Distributors Wanted

In this section we provide a brief outline of the industry, our business, how our distributor arrangement works & how it can evolve into the granting of a Pets Pantry Franchised territory.
Please note our business approach does not involve Multilevel Marketing.

The Australian Pet Needs Market

It is estimated that over 64% of the 6.6 million households in Australia have some type of pet. This is one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world equal to that of the USA. The population of dogs and cats in Australia is estimated at 3.7 and 2.4 million respectively. In addition there are over 9 million pet birds, some 20 million gold and aquarium fish, 2 million horses & 3 million rabbits guinea pigs and other small pets (Bis Shrapnel, Contribution of the Pet Care Industry to the Australian Economy, 2006).

The Australian Pet Needs market (Pet food, Pet care, Veterinary services, Grooming and Accessories) continues to grow. The overwhelming popularity of companion animal ownership has created one of the largest industries in Australia contributing around $4.6 billion to the economy and employing over 45,000 people.

What is Pets Pantry ?

Pets Pantry is a specialist home & office delivery service for pet owners and breeders.
We specialise in only super premium pet foods as well as a select range of quality animal health preparations & accessories.

Pets Pantry was established in Melbourne by Michael O’Hara in December 1995. Michael is a graduate of Monash University, where he successfully completed a Bachelor of Business Degree in Marketing. He is also an Ag Science graduate of Dookie Agricultural College (now part of Melbourne University), where he specialised in animal health and nutrition. He has had an extensive sales and marketing career principally in Animal Health, while employed by German multinationals, Bayer & Hoechst as well as in banking & finance with the National Australia Bank & advertising with Advertising Agency, The Starship. Michael is 48 years of age and is married with two children.

OUR UNIQUE APPROACH TO FRANCHISING - TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!

To ease the transition into a Pets Pantry franchise we have introduced an initiative to get our potential franchisees off to a good start for limited monetary outlay and risk.

In these difficult times people are hesitant about buying franchises or any business for that matter and it’s understandable. It’s a big decision that involves a substantial amount of hard earned cash up front for little return to start with. You’re also placing an enormous amount of trust in the franchisor to deliver.

At the same time we’re faced with some critical decisions. Our business is growing but we haven’t got enough good people on the ground to service our expanding customer base. We’re convinced that franchising is the way forward so employing people is not an option. We need another means of attracting good people into our business.

So, here’s what we’re currently doing in Victoria.

Through a distributor arrangement, we’re giving you as potential franchisees the opportunity to trial the business first in your local area as a Pets Pantry distributor. This does not commit you to buying a franchise. If it doesn’t work for you then you can simply walk away. We currently have 2 agents operating in the Melbourne Metropolitan area & one in Sydney.

A flexible working environment.

A key feature of Pets Pantry is its flexibility. That is you pretty much get to choose when you work. Unlike most businesses which require you to work 9 to 5 and can mean you’re stuck in a shop or office all day; a mobile business such as ours gives you enormous flexibility in choosing your working hours.

Hence if you’re keen to give it a go, you can pretty well keep doing what you’re doing now in the short term & trial Pets Pantry when you have the free time (i.e. after hours or on weekends). Once you’ve had an opportunity to trial it you’ll be in a better position to make an informed decision as to whether its a good fit & you can take it up full time or not.

From our experience, this arrangement is best suited to two people, i.e. a married couple, relatives, two friends etc where one can continue in their current job while the other(s) trials the business.
But it doesn’t rule out individuals who have the motivation & time available.

What type of people are we looking for ?

Bear in mind that we’re not giving distribution agreements out to just anyone. We want the best possible people we can get.

• Previous Sales &/or Animal Health or Nutrition experience is an advantage but not essential.

• Above all you must love animals.

• You must have strong drive, motivation & a will to succeed.

• You must be committed and prepared to work at it. In the beginning you will be working for little return.

• You will be required to meet reasonable sales targets agreed at between both parties.

• You must have a valid drivers licence.

What’s in the Distribution Agreement ?

In a nutshell this is what it involves:

• We grant you as a potential franchisee an exclusive territory of your choosing to service as a distributor of Pets Pantry for a two-year period. The agreement includes a 3-month probationary period. If things aren’t working out, either party can terminate the agreement with a minimum of fuss. So your not locked into something you can’t get out of.

• We give you first option on purchasing the franchise for the territory you operate in should you or another party express an interest in purchasing that territory. Bear in mind that you may take up the offer to purchase the franchise at any time during the period of this agreement.

• We will provide you with limited training to get you up and running.

• We will provide you with ongoing training and advice.

• We will provide you with a uniform, business cards & price lists.

• We will provide you with the Pets Pantry product range at wholesale prices.

In return here’s what we would expect from you:

• You keep the business open for business for such hours as are necessary to conduct it successfully.

• You will be required to achieve sales targets and growth in the territory during the period of the agreement.

• You supply and use a delivery vehicle of a kind approved by Pets Pantry and clearly displaying the name and logo.

• You ensure that the motor vehicle is in good working order & condition to undertake deliveries in.

• You maintain all equipment used in connection with the business in excellent working order and condition replacing such equipment at your own expense when the need arises.

• You ensure that all persons engaged in conducting your distribution business are neatly attired in the uniforms prescribed by Pets Pantry.

• You pay us for purchases within 14 days of invoice.

• You pay us on a weekly basis a small agency fee based on the value of your product purchases.

• You pay us a set weekly advertising levy that will be used for promotion of the business within your State.

• You are personally responsible for payment of all taxes in relation to your earnings and comply with all applicable state & federal laws in the conduct and operation of your business.

• You maintain our goods at all times in a saleable and merchantable condition.

• You obtain and maintain approved insurance policies to protect your motor vehicle, the public, your life and goods supplied by Pets Pantry.

The downside

Bear in mind that business developed by you & the customers acquired by you as a distributor are owned and remain the property of Pets Pantry until such time as you purchase a franchise.
So the downside for you is that while acting in the capacity of a distributor you will be building up your business for our gain. Should you lose interest, fail to achieve sales targets or simply decide that this is not for you, customers you have acquired as a distributor are handed back to us.

But, you get into a business for effectively no risk & money up front.

On the other hand what better way of getting into a business with little risk & monetary outlay. Should you decide to take up a franchise then ownership of the customers you've acquired reverts to you. You also have the option of selling your franchised business at some later date.

We’re confident that some months into the agency arrangement, when you’ve got a better feel for the business & its potential you will be jumping at the chance to purchase a Pets Pantry franchise.

If this sounds interesting & you wish to pursue the opportunity further please either give

Michael a call on 0411 55 3909 or send him an email at distributorswanted@petspantry.com and he’ll give you a call back to discuss the concept further. Please enclose a resume with your email.

The next step will involve us providing you with a draft Distribution Agreement, Secrecy Agreement & Application for Credit. You will need to provide us with the ABN (Australian Business Number) you intend on using for your business. If you haven’t got one you can obtain one from your accountant or the Australian Tax Office (see www.ato.gov.au for details). There is no need at this stage for you to register for GST.

Once the Agency & Secrecy agreements & Application for credit are signed we will be in a position to provide you with detailed information including Sales Training, detailed Product information, Wholesale & Retail Price Lists & our Policies & Procedures.