Market Focus
Still going strong
Those interested in franchising in the retail sector need not be put off by the alleged “death of the high street” – sales are on the rise and prospective investors can rely on the expertise of the franchisor to help their business succeed. Now could be the perfect time to enter the marketplace, says Katie Shevlin
T
he combination of rapid growth in online sales and a tough economic climate means apprehension about the sustainability of businesses has been
a common, and understandable, issue when considering an investment in the retail sector. With high street sales increasing, however, consumer confidence is buoyant and matched by optimism about the next business year. Apprehension about investment in retail- based businesses is also undermined by the fact that new franchisees are essentially buying into a well-established brand and, as such, this business investment involves less
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Businessfranchise.com | February 2014
risk than an independent start-up would. Any brand that has an existing high street presence will have a franchisor with a wealth of knowledge regarding the retail sector and its fundamental concerns, such as the acquisition of premises.
These factors also mean that previous experience in the retail sector is not always necessary. A passion for customer service, however, is a quality deemed extremely important by many franchisors, as premises- based businesses usually involve regular contact with the public and it is imperative to keep consumers loyal to the brand. Here, four franchisees describe the benefits and challenges that come with a franchise in the retail sector.
CeX
I
smail Ladha became a CeX franchise owner in 2010 after running an independent mobile phone store. He has just opened his third CeX store, this time in Keighley.
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