Community Blogs

Since its 2010 inception, Indepet has evolved to become the champion of independent retailers in the increasingly corporatized pet care industry, writes chair Andrew Baker. Indepet is unique in the pet care industry today in that it’s built on the noble principles of equity and fairness for every Shareholder.

Since its 2010 inception, Indepet has evolved to become the champion of independent retailers in the increasingly corporatized pet care industry, writes chair Andrew Baker.

Indepet is unique in the pet care industry today in that it’s built on the noble principles of equity and fairness for every Shareholder.

Through its unique structure and constitution, Indepet Limited can never be taken over by a corporation.

Further, the group is equally owned and controlled by all Shareholders – regardless of who you are and how wealthy you are – under the direction of a democratically-elected board.

For Indepet, that narrative is simply to create retail wealth for all Shareholders

In this regard, Indepet differs greatly from a corporation. As a Shareholder, you have the same opportunity as fellow Indepet members to stand for election as a board director and have your say in the overall direction and strategic focus of the group.

These principles of equity and fairness are great virtues of the Indepet group for the simple reason that independent retailers – whether in pet care, hardware or rural merchandise – are all fiercely independent by nature. Indeed, we all strive to be masters of our own destinies.

While franchised retailing models go some way towards capitalising on these ‘hard-wired’ values of independence and self-determination, I believe Indepet strikes the right balance between individual freedom and group unity.

As Indepet Shareholders, we must recognise that there’s a time to be fervently independent and a time to be absolutely united in our independent cause.

When it comes to the ‘nuts and bolts’ of the daily running of a retail store –

hiring staff, setting service standards and stock levels, planning local promotions – clearly these are matters for individual store keepers. Such decisions must be based on local knowledge and insights if they are to produce a unique and compelling experience for local customers.

It’s obvious that store proprietors must have the freedom, flexibility and creativity to adapt and fine-tune these unique aspects of their retailing operations.

Unity & solidarity

However, there are other decisions for the Indepet group that require unity, solidarity and a centralised approach if we are to achieve the best outcome for all Shareholders.

Our centralised approach to supplier negotiations and product procurement is a great example.

Similarly, the way we market the Indepet brand to our key suppliers and wholesalers requires unity, consistency and cohesion in the image we present publicly.

Further, like any political party or community organisation, there must be a compelling narrative for the Indepet group’s very existence.

For Indepet, that narrative is simply to create retail wealth for all Shareholders.

Without a strong group ethos and adherence to a compelling narrative, our independent ‘voices’ could easily be fragmented by competitors – or perhaps an aggressive supplier – potentially reducing us to a ‘lone voice in the wilderness’ in our future negotiations and standing in the market.

Indeed, this is a key reason why we produce our own trade magazine Inside Indepet.

Targeting our key suppliers and wholesalers, we can showcase the strengths of our individual Shareholders while championing the cause of the Indepet group and the wider trans-Tasman independent movement.

As Shareholders, we all believe that our model of independent retailing is the best way to service the trans- Tasman pet care market.

But we must continue to articulate and reinforce these reasons to our suppliers and wholesalers whose own managers and staff are continually changing.

We can never assume that our key stakeholders in the pet care industry fully understand the commercial value of the unique Indepet group.

Through Indepet, we have the best chance of convincing suppliers, wholesalers and the wider pet-owning community that Indepet is the natural leader of the pet care market.

Summing up, there is a time for freedom and a time for unity. If we get the balance right, the whole Indepet buying, and marketing group becomes much bigger than the sum of its individual Shareholders.

*first published in Inside Indepet April 2015