Franchise Focus
who set up his Kilburn branch with business partner Jan Blatchford two years ago, praises the mutual respect that the brand fosters. “Everyone has something important to say and contribute, and we are always there for each other – like you would expect a family to be,” he says. “It is important that we enjoy working. We work hard, but we enjoy each other’s company. There’s definitely a family feel going on.” The staff retention rate speaks volumes here; over 90 per cent of his employees have been working since the store opened.
This cohesion partly rests on a shared
interest in the products CeX sell. The brand is publicly acclaimed as a technology and entertainment specialist, and Pratik explains that while some of his employees are computer whizzes and others movie aficionados – and that even he and Jan have different areas of expertise – they are all equally enthusiastic about digital entertainment. “After all, you need to know what you’re talking about,” he adds. Zubair Khatri runs a CeX franchise in
CeX buys and sells
Recycling pays for CeX franchisees... INVESTMENT LEVEL: FROM £40,000
B
y trading exclusively in digital entertainment products, the Complete entertainment eXchange, CeX, catapults the buy- and-sell concept into the
21st century. Where similar outfits would have once traded books, CeX buy, sell and exchange mobile phones, games, computers, tablets, DVDs and electronics to and from the public.
Since it first opened its doors in London in 1992, CeX has expanded to 207 stores in the UK and 270 stores worldwide. It launched its first franchise operation in
24 |
Businessfranchise.com | October 2013
2005, and now over half of the UK stores are franchised – clear proof of the brand’s strong business model and potential for growth. A store opened almost every week in the UK last year, and, as technology changes, and the demand for used electronics is growing, this rapid expansion shows no sign of slowing down.
In-store ambience
The friendly and welcoming atmosphere is one of the first things you notice when walking into a CeX store, so it is little surprise that franchisees compare the brand’s network to a family. Pratik Patel,
Erdington, Birmingham alongside his business partner Javid Rasul. He also feels like part of an extended family, and puts this down to the support CeX provides: “CeX have been very welcoming and have given ourselves and my staff a great deal of support.” CeX were there every step of the way for Zubair and Javid, from helping them approach the banks for funding to creating a training programme for their employees before the shop opened. Zubair says: “Acquiring a high-street retail business property lease is a complex process, but CeX have managed the whole process for me. They implement a turnkey operation, and have project- managed the whole lease negotiation and shop-fit.” Pratik is similarly grateful for the support his franchise manager provided in drawing up the premises agreements with solicitors and landlords. The initial training programme for new CeX franchisees is an intensive 12-week store-based event, providing practical on-site experience. All aspects of retail and sales are covered, as are: operational and technical procedures, supervisor and store management principles, and general franchise and business ownership. The programme ensures that all franchisees are confident and fully prepared to run a CeX store. Ongoing training is just as comprehensive, and includes procedure updates, stock and pricing consultations, and continuing business advice. In addition to this, each franchisee receives a bespoke EPOS (electronic point of sale), and hands-on store identification, design and outfit.
Investment: £20k-£50k
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