SETTING UP SHOP
The retail industry is a massive, all-pervading machine that is an integral part of our everyday lives. From the corner shop and the bakers for your daily milk and bread, to the supermarket for your weekly groceries, to department stores for clothes and gift shopping – counter culture is alive and well.
Retail franchises cover a huge range of products from the rapidly multiplying food and café sector - which is beating all trends in terms of economic growth, to fashion, to house and garden needs, to pets, automotive, books, gifts, hair and beauty, the list goes on.
You will find retail franchises in suburban strips, in shopping malls and centres, and on high-exposure highway sites, ranging in size from tiny kiosks to massive warehouses.
Retail is detail – that’s how the saying goes. But what does it really mean? If you are interested in owning and operating one of New Zealand’s hundreds of retail franchises then you need to know all the details.
From site selection, to bank finance, to shop fitting, product display, customer profiling, brand development, loyalty programs, stock control and point of sale options – there are a huge amount of details to consider when ‘setting up shop’.
Most experts agree you have to ‘love what you do’ – so pick a product you love, do your research, find out what franchises are available in that sector, and you’ll be on your way to owning your dream business.
The following is a list of some of the retail franchise systems currently seeking the perfect franchisee to help sell their product to the Kiwi consumer.
AllSafe Energy Efficient Products
Owning an AllSafe franchise is unique. Having a successful business is of course paramount but it’s also the feeling of doing the right thing for both the customer and the environment that comes along with this success. It’s hard to explain - you just feel good! In a fragmented industry, AllSafe pulls together six businesses in one place to give the impression of a ‘one stop’ energy efficiency store. It’s a very popular concept - people want to know how they can save on energy costs and also reduce their impact on the environment. Soon to be launched in New Zealand, AllSafe supports the building and home renovations industry with a range of environmentally friendly, energy efficient products.
The Athlete’s Foot
The Athlete’s Foot, was founded in the USA in 1972, and is a pioneer of athletic footwear retailing. In the 1970s, athletic footwear constituted around two per cent of shoe sales worldwide. Today that figure is closer to 40 per cent and is still growing. 
Globally, the company has grown to more than 800 stores in 50 countries. The Athlete’s Foot Australia Pty Ltd is a wholly owned Australian company, which began in 1979, with a single store in Adelaide and now overseeing 130 franchised stores in Australia. The Australian company provides infrastructure and marketing support to the New Zealand business, which has been operating in this market for over 15 years.
Bin Inn
Bin Inn is 100 per cent Kiwi owned and operated and a nationally known retail brand. There are now 32 stores in New Zealand since the first one opened in 1988. With an emphasis on quality wholefoods and specialty grocery items, customers can buy as much or as little as they like from a generous selection at each store. From baking to brewing, gluten free or hard to find items, Bin Inn’s offerings will delight even the most discerning shopper.
Bin Inn stores are famous for their relaxed atmosphere, friendly service and helpful advice. More often than not; you'll be served by the owner of the store who will be passionate about quality foods and good conversation.
Civic Video
At the Westpac NZ Franchise Awards in November 2010 Civic Video Glenfield, won the Retail Franchisee of the Year Award and was then given the Supreme Award for Franchisee of the Year. The judging of these awards is based on the performance of each franchisee across seven areas: Leadership; Planning; Customer and Market Focus; Information and Analysis; Staff; Processes and Systems; Business Results. “Civic Video Glenfield had excellent results across all of these areas and that is why they came out on top in the awards,” says Civic Video Managing Director Peter McConnell who had a big hand in the preparation of their application. “It was interesting to note how important the contributions of both franchisee and franchisor are in creating the perfect franchise business,” Peter said.
Donut King NZ
Donut King is about to launch in New Zealand. Craig Watson as Head of one of Australasia’s largest shopping centre divisions was for years attempting to entice Donut King to New Zealand. When the opportunity to secure the Master Licence for the NZ territory came up last year he decided to put his money where his mouth was. “I was always impressed with the Donut King business model, from its broad customer base, extensive menu, professional and substantial parent company, durability and proven franchise system. “One of my key focus area’s is franchisee and brand integrity. Donut King has such a bankable name in the territories in which it operates and I intend to build on that in New Zealand.”
Dreamy Donuts
Dreamy Donuts is a premium donut and coffee franchise operation with stores in both Australia and New Zealand and with a view to the world. Dreamy Donuts take pride in using the finest ingredients in their entire range to make sure they are able to create what they consider to be the best tasting donuts possible. They also have their own premium Dreamy Donuts blend of coffee, delicious cold beverages and can provide donut cakes for special occasions.
There are two things that Dreamy Donuts do not compromise - quality product and exceptional customer service standards. All Dreamy Donuts franchisees have access to a complete franchise system which comprises site selection, development, fit out and training combined with ongoing management, marketing, operational and other support.
Dymocks
The first New Zealand Dymocks store opened in 1994 in Auckland. There are now seven conveniently located stores offering the widest range tailored to suit the market.
Dymocks owners everywhere have a passion for bookselling. Dymocks staff members have the knowledge and training to help you make the right choices. With the widest range of new and backlist books, Dymocks have the best in New Zealand and overseas writing on hand.
William Dymock opened his first bookstore in Sydney in 1879, and since then, Dymocks has grown to a network of over 90 stores in Australia, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand.
The Dymocks Franchise System was established in 1986, allowing Franchise Owners to own and operate their own Dymocks stores. The Dymocks Franchise System has many advantages that few other operations can offer. Their franchise team are available to assist you in the process of discussing and evaluating opportunities in the Dymocks Bookstore Franchise.
Guthrie Bowron
Guthrie Bowron is New Zealand's leading painting and decorating specialist store. They retail paint, wallpaper, curtains, blinds, related accessories and carpet through a nationwide network of independently owned franchise stores.
Guthrie Bowron was founded in Dunedin in 1896 making the brand over 110 years old. It is a household name in New Zealand and enjoys instant consumer recognition. The Group pioneered a franchise model in 1992 which proved highly successful and was the catalyst for its growth to the current 53 stores.
Howards Storage World
Howards Storage World, which has two New Zealand stores located in Tauranga and Albany, is seeking a master franchisee to roll out more stores across New Zealand.
There are 67 Howards Storage World stores in Australia and nine master franchisees around the world. Howards Storage World has been operating in New Zealand since 2006, most recently as an adjunct to the Australian operation.
“Over the past couple of years we have invested in consolidating and building our New Zealand business and we believe the timing is right to secure a master franchisee who can take the domestic business to the next level and mirror the success we have achieved worldwide,” said CEO Dirk Spence.
“The next phase of growth for Howards Storage World will include the opening of a warehouse in New Zealand to import stock and service the stores, and expanding the number of stores around the country.”
Jesters
Jesters are committed to providing their customers with the healthiest, finest quality pies available in the marketplace including the all New Zealand 'Kiwi Classic' and spicy ‘Maha Raja’. Jesters Franchising NZ Ltd is a wholly owned and managed New Zealand gourmet pie company. The first New Zealand outlet opened in August 2002 at Lynn Mall Shopping Centre in West Auckland and there are now 18 stores across New Zealand. Jesters have successfully tapped into a niche of the $1 billion (and growing fast) fast food industry with a unique and traditionally popular product. As a franchisee you will be extensively trained, fully supported, and part of a group of progressive and energetic people.
MISTER MINIT
The Minit Company operates 208 MISTER MINIT shops throughout New Zealand and Australia. The brand has heritage having celebrated its 50 year anniversary two years ago. It is the clear market leader in the sectors of shoe repairs, key cutting and automotive transponder key and remote control duplication, engraving and watch servicing. The majority of these services are provided through an extensive network of franchisees. The company recognised that providing a first rate level of customer service necessitated having ‘great people’. As such MISTER MINIT’s franchising system is based not on the capital franchisees invest but rather on their skills, values and service focus.
MISTER MINIT benchmarking measures and ranks allow each franchisee to see how they are performing against 208 other MISTER MINIT shops and the high ratio of field support to franchisees has ensured they get all the help they need to do well.
MISTER MINIT was winner of the ‘Best Franchise System of the Year 2009’ at the Westpac NZ Franchise Awards.
Mr Rental
Experience the magic of recurring revenue with a Mr Rental home appliance rentals franchise. Mr Rental is an international franchise group, specialising in the medium to long term rentals of items such as fridges, washers and TVs from 57 locations throughout Australia and New Zealand. Mr Rental is a five day a week business that can be operated by two people initially. No experience required; full training and ongoing support provided. Mr Rental provides not only a tried and true successful business model but represents an opportunity to join a positive culture founded on empowering people to grow personally and professionally within their own community.
Mitre 10
New Zealand’s leading hardware giant, Mitre 10 is a group of over 100 stores, and each store is individually owned. This is vitally important in maintaining the close retailer/customer relationship, where the owner genuinely cares about personalised service, profit, and customer satisfaction - one of the key reasons for its great success. Mitre 10 have become renowned for their friendly customer service and product knowledge, and they aim to be recognised as the best provider of DIY hardware products, knowledge and services in New Zealand. Mitre 10 is 100 per cent New Zealand owned and has won awards for excellence in marketing and retailing and is ranked among top international business performers.
New Zealand Natural Ice Cream
New Zealand Natural has over 600 branded outlets in 21 countries, making it New Zealand’s most significant food franchise business - growing steadily to become one of the world’s leading premium ice cream brands. NZN is already well established in New Zealand with 15 parlour outlets, and whilst opportunities for additional franchised stores are limited there are growing destination locations such as Queenstown which would be considered for full franchises. Apart from award-winning ice cream, NZN stores offer an extensive range of smoothies, juices and shakes, and the unique ‘Fruit Flo’, a luscious blend of fresh fruits and frozen yoghurt. 2009 also saw the introduction of a world first, with ice cream ‘Sooshi’ launched to great acclaim throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Night ‘n Day Foodstores
A Night ‘n Day Foodstore franchise makes you part of an established, high profile, well-marketed network of convenience grocery stores. It is a brand that is distinctive and easily recognised, with bright, well-staffed stores, in high profile locations, offering a wide range of products from grocery items, beer and wine, hardware and pharmaceuticals to snack foods, food-to-go, in-store bakery products and stationery.
It is a proven successful formula with a growing market share.
Pack&Send
Pack&Send is the retail front that the freight and logistics industry never had, providing customers with a one-stop shop for all their freight and packaging requirements.
A customer can take virtually any item of any shape or size into a Pack&Send store and be 100 per cent confident it will be carefully packaged and delivered to any address, anywhere in the world. The harder the job, the more the Pack&Send network seem to like it.
There are over 100 stores in Australia and six in New Zealand and Pack&Send aims to have 250 stores in other countries throughout the world, giving the company a true global footprint. The Pack&Send brand is trademarked in 50 countries.
Pack&Send was the 2007 Franchise of the Year in Australia, and it was equal runner-up at the 2008 International Franchisor of the Year Award, placing the business as one of the top three franchises in the world.
Paper Plus
Paper Plus is New Zealand’s only 100 per cent locally owned and operated books and stationery retailer.
The Paper Plus Group began 26 years ago and incorporates three separate retail brands: Paper Plus, which has 106 stores; Take Note with 58 stores; and Office Spot with two stores; all offering a great range of stationery, books, magazines, cards and gifts to New Zealand consumers.
Paper Plus was awarded ‘Retail Franchise System of the Year’ at the recently held New Zealand Westpac Franchise Awards.
Shoe Clinic
Shoe Clinic is New Zealand's number one performer in the fast growth sports performance footwear and apparel market.
Shoe Clinic franchisees benefit from a proven model based on years of experience. Operating a Shoe Clinic needs energy, enthusiasm and commitment. It also requires the understanding that results come from hard work and an enjoyment from dealing with the general public. Those attributes and the requirement for full-time, hands-on participation are considered essential to the success of a Shoe Clinic franchise. Shoe Clinic's have a substantially higher than average customer conversion rate because at every franchise all the staff are highly trained in shoe technology and superior customer service.
Locations are available in most urban centres and assistance with store selection and fit-out is always provided.
Specsavers
Specsavers has announced plans to double its New Zealand presence. After entering the New Zealand market just over three years ago the budget eyewear company now has more than 50 franchised stores and says it will increase that to 60 in the next 12 months.
Specsavers New Zealand has posted like for like store sales growth of 158 per cent since entering the marketplace in November 2008. The company has gained a 12.5 per cent market share and is aiming to be the leading optometry provider in the Kiwi market by the middle of 2011, mirroring the staggering growth in its Australian operations.
Storage Box
You will find a Storage Box store wherever you are in New Zealand, from Kerikeri to Invercargill. Storage Box are the largest group of specialist plastic and storage stores in the country, and can be easily recognised by their striking purple, green and orange colours. Storage Box stores are all individually owned. That means their customers always deal with someone who has a personal interest in getting it sorted. Storage Box also belong to a single buying and marketing group, which means franchisees always have access to new exciting products and storage concepts, and at very affordable prices.
SUBWAY
SUBWAY has again been named the Number One Global Franchise opportunity, as well as the overall Number One Franchise opportunity, for 2010 by Entrepreneur magazine in its annual “Franchise 500” rankings.
This is the 17th time in the past 23 years that the SUBWAY chain has been recognized with the overall top honour.
Now, at more than 32,000 locations in 90 countries, the chain is poised to become the world’s single largest restaurant brand, in terms of number of locations. There are currently more than 200 SUBWAY outlets in New Zealand.
"Strong global support systems and brand recognition have helped us grow to over 200 stores in New Zealand and are a big reason that SUBWAY is able to maintain its distinction as the Number One Global Franchise opportunity," said Regional Profitability Manager Ben Miles.
The $2 Shop - The 2n'5 Franchise
There are currently 22 $2 Shops in New Zealand making ‘The 2n'5 Franchise’  the largest fixed price department store retailer in New Zealand. The first $2 Shop was opened in July 1994 in New Plymouth, which to this day is still owned by founder Brian Salmon who soon realised that The $2 Shop concept was a winner with the public. The first store was closely followed by the first franchised store, Palmerston North which opened in December 1994. In quick concession Hamilton (March 1995), Tauranga (July 1995) and Rotorua (September 1995) where opened and so that was the start of The $2 Shop franchise. Over the past 16 years the $2 Shop stores have evolved to be brightly-lit, well-merchandised, with a high standard of shop fit out and a friendly atmosphere, providing an up-market, enjoyable shopping experience for our customers.  In June 2010, the $2 Shop introduced a new price point in the store and re-branded to become "The 2n'5 Franchise".
Visique Optometrists
Visique Optometrists believe you can't discount the importance of healthy vision. They want to help Kiwis see amazing things through healthy eyes. At Visique, members are not just a part of the company, they own it. So Visique are both 100 per cent Kiwi owned, and 100 per cent member owned. As well as being part of an established Kiwi brand, Visique members also enjoy a range of unique benefits such as being the preferred supplier to most major insurance companies and the only optometrist to be a part of New Zealand's largest loyalty program: Fly Buys.
Visique also offer exclusive product ranges such as the Michael Kors collection, and our members benefit from guaranteed best in market purchasing from key strategic supply partners and extensive brand and marketing support. Visique practitioners are committed to the highest quality professional eye care and have a reputation for clinical excellence, and for spending quality time with clients. Visique’s Professional Standards Seal reassures clients of their commitment to the values of professionalism, excellence and trust.