Happy Friday Daily Groomers,
Last week we asked a simple question:
“Is your grooming business slower than usual right now?”
Here’s how it shook out:
127 groomers from across the country weighed in on whether business feels slower right now — and the results paint an interesting picture:
😩 Slower than usual — 52.7% (67 votes)
🤷♀️ About the same
🔥 Busier than normal
A few said it depends on the week
Over half of you feeling slower is… not nothing.
But the why is where it gets interesting.
If You’re Slower, You’re Not Alone
The biggest themes:
1. Weather
“We have had a lot of weather issues.”
Snowstorms. Extreme cold. Reschedules. Cancellations.
Ontario groomers mentioned record snow + freezing temps.
Others said February dipped after a normal January.
Weather is temporary but it absolutely wrecks short-term cash flow.
2. The Economy
“Revenue is down 15%.”
“People are watching their wallets.”
“There is no question the economy and fear are driving spending decisions.”
Multiple groomers mentioned inflation and post-holiday pullback.
One comment stuck with me:
“It becomes a vicious circle.”
When customers spend less locally, local businesses spend less locally… and the cycle continues.
3. Client Behavior Is Changing
“Not many people are coming back regularly.”
“People want in right now or they’re calling the next groomer on Google.”
This one matters.
It’s not always demand disappearing sometimes it’s loyalty weakening.
But Here’s The Other Side…
A surprising number of you are 🔥 slammed.
Florida?
Snowbirds = full books.
“Running 7 days a week solid through April.”
High Rebook Shops?
“My people book out 1 yr in advance.”
“90% rebook at checkout.”
“Booked until end of April.”
That’s not luck. That’s systems.
Shops That Got Aggressive
One groomer shared:
Ran January–March specials
Increased Facebook + Instagram presence
Rescheduled aggressively during storms
Stayed open later to fit clients in
Result?
“February is completely booked and March is now booking.”
That’s operational intensity.
Another said they lost 3–4 competing groomers nearby and are now overflowing with demand.
What This Really Shows
The market isn’t universally slow.
It’s fragmented.
Some are down 15%.
Some have 200+ person waiting lists.
Some just opened a year ago and are “extremely busy.”
That tells me something important:
📍 The groomers with:
Strong rebooking habits
Consistent marketing presence
Flexible scheduling
Clear communication during disruptions
…are feeling it less.
Not immune. But steadier.
My Take
January and February are historically weird months in grooming.
Post-holiday spending hangover
Weather disruptions
Routine shifts
Snowbirds in some regions
Local economic swings
If you're slower, don’t panic.
But also don’t sit still.
This is the season where:
Rebooking discipline matters
Automated reminders matter
Review generation matters
Local partnerships matter
Social visibility matters
The groomers who treat “slow” as a signal… not a sentence… tend to come out stronger by spring.
Slow seasons expose weak systems.
At Teddy, we keep coming back to two levers that can be automated and strengthened with software:
1️⃣ Maximizing Reviews
More 5-star reviews → stronger Google presence.
Stronger presence → more new client calls.
More new clients → more stability when regulars stretch appointments.
Reviews compound.
2️⃣ Driving Rebookings
The shops that are steady right now?
They’re not guessing.
They’re rebooking at checkout.
They’re sending reminders.
They’re building predictable calendars.
Rebooking discipline smooths the rollercoaster.
If you're slower, stay disciplined.
This season passes — strong shops don’t.
Alex
🛠️ Behind The Scenes Building Teddy
At Teddy, we’re building Review + Rebooking Assistants designed to drive revenue automatically.
Two things we believe should not rely on memory, hustle, or “hoping staff remembers”:
• Generating consistent 5-star reviews
• Locking in the next appointment before clients drift
Our goal is to put both on autopilot so even during slower months, your systems are still working.
If you have thoughts, frustrations, or ideas around reviews or rebooking, I’d genuinely love the feedback. This is the season we’re building for.
That’s all folks! Keep calm and groom on 🐶🤘
