1 School of Architecture, Building and Design Foundation in Natural and Built Environment (FNBE) English II Ms Cassandra English II- Final Project- Research Assignment Report FNBE August 2014 By: 7 Little Group member: Lee Ning 0320125 Ong Shi Hui 0320303 Lee Zi Ying 0320435 Chong Jia Yi 0320869 Lim Zia Huei 0321031 Loong Bo Lin 0321469 Hau Hui Yee 0320283
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1
School of Architecture, Building and Design
Foundation in Natural and Built Environment (FNBE)
English II
Ms Cassandra
English II- Final Project- Research Assignment
Report
FNBE August 2014
By: 7 Little
Group member:
Lee Ning 0320125
Ong Shi Hui 0320303
Lee Zi Ying 0320435
Chong Jia Yi 0320869
Lim Zia Huei 0321031
Loong Bo Lin 0321469
Hau Hui Yee 0320283
2
Table of Content
No. Title Page
1. Artistic Page Cover i
2. Taylor’s Assignment Page Cover ii
3. Table of Content iii
4. Key Summary of:
Location
Assignment
Methodology
1-2
5. Research Report
History and Description of the trade
Brief description of the business
Comparative Analysis
Conclusion
3-20
6. Recommendations 21-22
7. Appendices 23-35
8. Bibliography 36
9. References 37
3
KEY SUMMARY
Location
The trade of business that we are studying for this research report is ‘pet shops’. There
are two pet shops that we have interviewed which are K9 Pets Shop in Georgetown,
Penang and Petsmore. Sdn. Bhd. in Klang Valley, Selangor.
K9 Pets Shop is located in a town. Note that K9 Pets Shop is a home-based business
while Petsmore is a commercial business located all across Kuala Lumpur. Overall,
the biggest differences between K9 Pets Shop and Petsmore are the location of pets
shop and the type of businesses they are operating.
Assignment
In this research report, we have studied two pet shops working in the same industry.
The main objective that we are doing this research report is to analyse the
combination of data and information from different sources. We have done interviews,
researching on the internet and printed media to gather these data and information.
With these information and data, we are able to make a conclusion to the comparison
between the two business and recommendations to improve the business.
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Methodology
Data Collection
Mass Media- Internet/ Online Research
By researching on the internet, we have obtained the basic information about the pets
shop. Basic information such as the products and accessories selling in these pets
shops, the operating hour and the services provided in these pets shops.
Out of the many pet shops across Malaysia, we have decided to choose K9 Pets Shop
and Petsmore. Later on, we also have an interview session with the two pet shops that
we have selected.
Interview sessions
After conducting the interview sessions with the founders of K9 Pets Shop and
Petsmore, more information for the businesses were obtained. During the interview
sessions, we separated tasks for each of the members to do. One of them will be
recording, another will be taking videos and asking questions during the interview.
Throughout the interview sessions, we have learned about the historical background
of two businesses, operating methods used by the two businesses and the main
products of the businesses.
Analyse Data
By using the data collected from the online research and interview sessions, we have
found some similarities and differences between the two businesses. The weaknesses
of the businesses were found to be improved.
Data Presentation
After completing the report, the content of the report were summarized into a
PowerPoint presentation slide. The reason for this is because there will be
presentation for our report by the end of the submission date.
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HISTORY OF PET STORES
Pets business was all started out in the early 1700s and early 1800s in America. The
trade in pet animals was informal during that era, people could only buy caged birds
and small animals in city markets, but most of them received from their neighbours.
Between 1840s to early 1930s, pet industry started came along as a business industry.
By 1840s, “bird stores” started to appear in large cities in America. By the 1890s, pet
stores started to offer a wide range of specialise supplies and equipment to facilitate
care and display to the pets.
Modern pet stores differ from the early shops in degree, but the basic array of pets
supplies that sold today is remarkably similar to the inventory found in pet shop in the
early 1900s. By the 1920s, pet supplies and sometimes the animals themselves were
offered for sales in the department stored. At that time, tropical fish were first
introduced for sale in neighbourhood pet stores in the 1920s. Meanwhile the trend of
owning purebred caning came along during the 1920s, too. An increasingly
controversial part of the trade is found in the rise of the "puppy mill," as demand for
unregistered purebred puppies has led to operations that breed and rear dogs as
livestock. During this high peak season, pet stores were slowly spreading to the world
steps by steps. And then, the rodents were appeared for sales in the 1950s.
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DESCRIPTION OF PET TRADE
Pet shop is a retail business which sells many different kind of pets to the public.
Besides selling pets, the business also provides a variety of pet supplies and pet
accessories.
Living in this ever-changing era, new ideas should be implemented in this industry to
provide a better life for pets. Ideas such as providing services where the pet shops will
take care of customer’s pet while they are away from home. As you know, traditional
pet shop required a shop lot which isn’t convenient for the customers as it is very time
consuming, which is why the pet shop business have slowly transforming their
businesses available online for customers to purchase.
Day by day, our country has network technology which affect by Western Countries.
Pet businesses are starting online business because most customers prefer to online
purchase. It is convenient and save time to a customer, no matter in day or night.
There are a few types of pet shops:
A. Standard Retailers for Pets
Many pet store retailers can be found in almost every area in Malaysia. Most of the
consumers love to purchase at the pet shop because it created to sell just about
anything that pet owner will need. Purchasing at the pet store won’t be troublesome
for consumers anymore.
B. Specific Pet Stores
The pet owner can probably find a specific pet store that caters to the kind of pet they
have. This kind of shop will provide a wide choice of item for specific type of pet, it
is very convenient to the pet’s owner to find things they need.
Besides, it is more professional, because they may have much more knowledge about
the subject when it comes to certain animals.
C. Online Pet Stores
The online shopping for pet shop to do business has been a trend especially for
teenagers who love to have pets.
This is because it provides a more convenient way to shop as the consumer does not
have to travel to pet shop to obtain what they need. Consumer will not need to drive
through traffic which helped to save time.
Next, it helps the consumers to save their money for petrol. This is because online pet
shops don’t have overhead costs like big shops. There are actually standard pet shops
as well as specialized shops on the internet.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESSES
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS 1
LOCATION OF THE K9 PET SHOP
BASIC INFO
Location: 268 Macalister Road,
Georgetown, 10400 Penang,
Malaysia
Number of employee: 3 loading workers and the rest will be his relatives such as daughter and son-in-law
Number of branches: NO
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DESCRIPTION OF THE K9 PET SHOP
K9 Pet Shop is a home-based business that initiated and operated by Mr. Tan Teik
Poh in 1974. It is located in Georgetown, the well-known tourism area of Penang. He
started his career as dog trainer by looking after other’s dogs when he was in secondary
school. He played, walked or exercised their dogs on his bicycle. Moreover, he cleaned
their dog’s kennels and bathed them.
Later, his friend suggested him go abroad to learn about training the dogs. At first,
he was hesitated to go because of his father’s objection but the ticket was booked so he
had no choice. He went to Montana, USA, worked in the top Doberman Kennels, the
Marienburg Kennels in 1980. He became the assistant to Mr. Moe Miyagawa, showing
Doberman in US Show circuit.
During that time, Mr. Tan studied in the Sun Valley Dog Training Academy and
graduated as a Master Trainer. Later, he continued his training in Germany at
Hundeschule Rasch by Mr. Fritz Rasch.
In 1982, at age of 24, he established K9 Training Centre in Penang. Then he
cooperated with Dato’ Eddy Choong to start a professional kennel at Bukit Gambier,
Penang which is K9 Paradise, They named their company as K9 that means canine which
is the scientific name of dog.
In 1998, Mr. Tan decided to start K9 Pets, a one stop shop specialized for all dogs’
demands after gaining experience by years of involvement in kennel. He started his
business with capital of 12-15 thousand ringgit which sponsor by Pro-plan Dog Food. K9
Pets at that time also was the importer of Pro Plan Dog Food.
Then in 2000, K9 Pets shop was relocated into a 3 storey shop-house in
Macalister Road, Penang until now.
He then imports dog food which is Diamond brand from United State and
repackaging in Malaysia. Also, K9 Pets is the first company to introduce the Pooch
Mobile from Australia to Malaysia.
Mr. Tan also involved actively in dog shows. He was an obedience and All Breed
Judge. He also served as a Director of Malaysian Kennel Association for 5 terms and was
the secretary of MKA Penang branch for many years. Mr. Tan was also the President of
Malaysian Kennel Association in 2004.
In 2005, Mr Tan’s son in law Mr Ivan Soon involved in expanding business of K9
Pet Shop and became as a partner of the business. He had converted Teik Poh Canine Pets
Centre from a sole proprietor company to K9 Pets Sdn. Bhd.
K9 Pets Sdn. Bhd. is now managed by Ivan Soon. He was interested with dogs
during his secondary school days when his father took him to Teik Poh Canine Pets
Centre to buy his first imported Golden Retriever in 1993. While training his dogs he
shown his natural touch, keen interest and great understanding with dogs. He was
exposed to training with dogs and learned to running pet business. He was also learning
the basic and hands-on experience at K9 Pet shop. He went to Australia, Germany, Czech
Republic, Thailand and Indonesia to show, work, train and attends International Pet trade
Fair.
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The shop lot consists of 4 storeys (include rooftop). As it is a home-based
business and most of his employees are his relatives, his shop and house are within a
same building. The ground floor is the operating pet shop, first floor is his house, second
floor is his private library and shop’s storeroom, and the fourth floor which is the rooftop
is his dogs’ kennel.
According to Mr. Tan Teik Poh, he does not believe in competitors and branches.
He does not compete with other while he would do something people do not want or
couldn’t think to do, for instance he provides pooch mobile dog wash service which other
pet shop didn’t provide. His business aim is to provide a good quality of services for his
customer while not aiming for expanding his business.
His strategies to operate his business are introducing online services in purchasing
dog food and deliver them by using Citylink service. It is very convenient and popular
among his customers. Moreover, he does not advertising his business as he know that a
good service and product will promote itself.
It is quite strange if a pet shop which only sell and provide product for a type of
pet as many pet shops nowadays aim to become a one-stop pet centre to attract more
customers. K9 is the pet shop which only provides dog’s food and accessories. Mr. Tan
Teik Poh answered our doubt by telling us that he is not providing products and services
for other pets because he does not want to downgrade his services. He said that he is only
expert in training dogs so he would like to provide professional services for his customers.
He also builds good relationships with his customers to understand what are their needs