Vanina and Tony Guiffard open a DO&KA franchise, specializing in animal feed, in Colombiers

Entrepreneurs passionnés d’animaux, Tony et Vanina Guiffard viennent d’ouvrir DO&KA à Colombiers.

The store opened its doors on December 2. This is the 8th franchise of the Hérault-based specialist pet store brand, which is continuing its development in the region.

At the head of this new store, Vanina and Tony Guiffard. After rich and varied professional careers, as employees and entrepreneurs, they decided, in 2023, to embark on a joint entrepreneurial project. DO&KA customers in Clermont-l’Hérault, it was while talking to the franchisees that they decided to meet the founders of the brand, created in 2015 in Castelnau-le-Lez.

“We were won over by the seriousness and the very structured support of DO&KA, Tony emphasizes. They supported us from the very first stages for the market study and the bank meetings.” And even for the search for premises, a step that proved complex: after a year and a half of fruitless research in Béziers, it was one of the co-founders of the franchise who directed them to Colombiers.

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More than 8,000 references

“This location ultimately proved to be a strategic choice because it allows us to meet the needs of local customers who until now had to travel many kilometers to benefit from a similar offer,” explains Vanina.

After three months of work carried out by local craftsmen, Vanina and Tony opened the doors of their store on December 2nd and“The first customer feedback is extremely positive“. DO&KA Colombiers offers more than 8,000 references, on 300 m², with prices adapted to all budgets and covering all the needs of pets: dogs, cats, birds, rodents, reptiles and fish.

The store focuses on quality brands, often local, like Croccitanie or French like Royal Canin. It also offers specific products such as food supplements and a bulk sales area for litter, kibble and treats.

A 2nd store project

“This space is very popular: many customers are sensitive to environmental issues, for themselves as well as for their animals, which they tend to consider as members of the family”. Positioned on a booming market, estimated at 6.4 billion euros per year in France, the store not only attracts animal lovers but also job candidates.

To meet the DO&KA advice and customer service requirements, Vanina and Tony recruited two employees as soon as it opened. “We were impressed by the enthusiasm with more than 400 applications received!” The Guiffards don't intend to stop there: after getting their bearings in the first year, they are already considering opening a second store in the region.

Bio express

In figures: 
Opening: December 2, 2024.
Initial investment: €255,000.
Team: 4 employees.
Surface area: 300 m².
Projected turnover: 580,000 € in one year.

DO & KA Colombiers, ZAC de Viargues, in Colombiers; www.doetka.fr. I subscribe to read the rest