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Find a retail business at the Sydney expo

Sarah Stowe

If you’re tempted by the increasingly good news about retailing, the investment choices are diverse, from beauty salons to food to business to business services.When you visit the Sydney Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo you will have the chance to investigate a variety of store-based businesses.

In this preview, we hear from a selection of the exhibitors trading in the retail space, who explain their offer in their own words.

Beauty salon

Ella Bache

The growing stability in global markets, emphasis on health care and the increasing perception of beauty therapy as a necessity is expected to boost the the $4bn beauty sector in Australia over the coming years.

Ella Bache has for 60 years shown that a commitment to innovation and education are the keys to success. New products are developed through a dedicated research and development department.

As a family owned and operated franchise Ella Bache imbues a unique culture. Franchisees are empowered to strive and achieve and have a contagious passion for the brand.

Costs vary but an average salon in a strong foot traffic area will require a $250,000 investment.

Mobile phones

Kase

The smartphone and tablet accessory market is the fastest growing market around the world with 800 million smartphones sold in 2014 and an estimated 1.6 billion sold in 2016. The Kase has opened 140 company owned stores in five countries in 15 months and is offering a franchise opportunity in every country. The Kase is operated by the founders of the fastest growing e-commerce etail company in Europe between 2002 and 2012; “Pixmania.com” reaching ¤900m revenue in 26 countries.

Innovation, fashion and uniqueness are the cornerstones of the concept. 

Total investment starts at US$120,000 per store of 40m2 to 60m2.

Home furnishings

Luxaflex

Why invest in this sector? There are more than eight million households in Australia – think how many window furnishings that amounts to!

Hunter Douglas which owns the brand offers an unrivalled partnership to meet specific commercial needs, under our Luxaflex Window Fashions Gallery and Luxaflex Window Fashions Showcase Alliance programs. In fact, Luxaflex is the only national brand offering a wholesaling business licensee model. 

Being part of our programs not only mean access to exclusive and innovative products but also exclusive promotions. There is also the benefit of the ongoing advertising and public relations program.

Jonathan Pretty, Luxaflex Window Fashions Gallery licensee at Shades of Pittwater, says “I think some franchise businesses promise you the world, help you set up and then you never see them again. It’s just not like that at Luxaflex. There is ongoing support, a fantastic range of product, and I genuinely believe they do everything they can to help you. And when people are doing everything they can, you can’t really ask for any more, can you?”

The Luxaflex Gallery program ranges from $120,000 to $150,000+ for the retail showroom fitout including a complete set of sampling. Additional costs vary subject to the requirements and condition of the location the store.

Pizza

New York Slice 

Although the Australian Pizza market is worth $4bn annually, the major pizza franchisors have less than one third market share. This leaves over two thirds of the national pizza market available – yet this is comprised of mostly single store operators with little leverage in terms of buying power or economies of scale. With annual growth of three percent, people still clearly want to eat pizza and it also demonstrates that there is room for new participants with new concepts and franchise models. 

In contrast to the major pizza franchises that are 90 percent delivery based and 10 percent walk in – New York Slice is 90 percent walk in (served in 90 seconds) and 10 percent delivery. We have developed a central production kitchen that simply distributes our par-baked stock to the stores on a just in time basis. As a result, this preserves margins and frees up the franchisee to focus on local store marketing and growing local relationships for the brand.

New York Slice has dominated the inner city Brisbane pizza market over the last 12 years and now has five company stores to franchise. 

Our smallest footprint is $250,000 and our largest is $500,000.

Transport and packaging

Pack & Send

Globalisation and digital technology have reshaped the way both businesses and individuals buy and send things, resulting in an ever increasing demand for sending goods throughout the world. Travel is becoming more frequent and affordable with the movement of people increasing the demand for convenient consumer freight solutions such as excess baggage. IBISWorld predicts the revenue from online shopping to be $8.13 bn in 2017-18, an increase of 22.8 percent in five years (IBISWorld October 2012). 

There are many things that set us apart at Pack & Send – but none more important than giving customers the power of more choice. No other company offers such a wide selection of transport and packaging solutions – together with a choice to book services through either a retail service centre, phone or online.

According to Sydney based Tony Stamboulie, Pack & Send’s 2013 Franchisee of the Year, his journey has been “one amazing year after the other.”  Tony says that the best thing about Pack & Send is that it can offer “an unlimited amount of service”.

Turnkey cost is $160,000 to $170,000 plus working capital.

Pool service

PoolWerx

The service sector is thriving and has changed considerably in the past 10 years, evolving into a multifaceted one utilising multiple sales channels and markets. No longer are franchisees restricted to a purely service based business model, instead they are enjoying success through a combination of service, retail, commercial and e-commerce elements and it is paving the way for franchisees to be build big businesses. 

One of the key differences is our focus on growth opportunities for franchise partners (as we like to call them). Poolwerx offers a four-step career path providing solid opportunity to grow both the size and earning potential of the business. A franchise partner can start with a single mobile service van and work their way up to a multi-million dollar business encompassing numerous retail stores and serv-ice vehicles. 

Poolwerx also negates any seasonality that might be associated with the pool service industry by working within the commercial sector. On average, more than 30 percent of a franchise partner’s income is generated through this market. 

We do not take franchisee satisfaction for granted, so every year we conduct external research to determine if we are doing the right thing by our partners. We have been listed in Australia’s top 10 franchises for franchisee satisfaction for the past five years, covering categories of support, marketing, passion, lifestyle, brand, opportunities for expansion and financial success, as rated on topfranchise.com.au

The first level is a single mobile service franchise that starts from $90,800 + GST.  

  • The Sydney Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo is open Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March, 10am to 5pm. You can pre-register for the expo,