Franchises set to avoid closing stores

São Paulo-With operational adjustments, review of costs, brand internationalization projects and launch of own network card segment clothing franchise managed to get through the economic downturn without having to close stores.
For them, this was the main objective during the instability that retail sales announced, also in 2014. Larger competitors, like Marisa and C&A, for example, have not had the same success, and had to close some operations across the country.
"It is very significant for us not to have to close stores. We made a very big effort for the operation grew and it don''t. Now, at the end of the crisis, I believe we can achieve this goal. Not only that, we also grow, "celebrates the Rabusch Executive Director, franchise specializing in women''s fashion, Cristiano Seidert.
The network, which currently has 42 stores in operation and four others to be inaugurated by the end of this year, aims to expand its revenue soon with the implementation of our own private lable or credit card itself. According to Seidert, the forecast is that the Rabusch card is ready to be released by November.
In the first half, sales were in line with last year, with a high of 2%. "This high light was the result of an effort of very big sale that we do. We elaborate a project of closer relationship to customers seeking to retain them, we train our franchisees and made minor adjustments in collections too. Gave a lot of work, but was positive, "he says.
Another unique feature of the company was to provide their own franchisees the opportunity to return parts which have not been sold to pay off any debts and also to replace the new collections. For him, this strategy has helped to maintain the profitability of stores with different owners.
In the long run, the thought of Seidert is to expand the brand into the international market. "First, we want to consolidate in the South and Southeast of the country. But we see the opportunities of internationalisation. Paraguay and Uruguay are interesting and which countries have offered good prospects for our market, "says the Director.
Data from the Brazilian Franchising Association (ABF) show that, in the first quarter of this year, in the midst of a crisis, 1.3% of the stores that operate on the franchise system in Brazil had to terminate its operations. On the other hand, the sector recorded the opening of 2900 new units, which contributed to the expansion of franchising index was 2.9%.
In all, the ABF 141,200 accounts for business in the country operating under the franchise model.
Sexagenarian and strong
After 64 years of the opening of its first store, in São Paulo, the Tip Top specializes in children''s fashion, follows steady after another crisis.
The strategy this time was to work the loyalty of customers more aggressively and make promotions more often than usual.
Thus, the account manager to expand the Tip Top, Ricardo Marcondes, it was possible to cross one more economic instability without closures of stores and with new openings.
"We intend to finish with 114 2016 operations. We are currently with 108 locations in all Brazilian States, "he says.
In the short term, the intention is to start the internationalization, which is set to begin in a South American country. The closest thing to receive the first international store of Tip Top''s the neighbor Argentina.
"We believe this is the ideal time for business outside the country, since we believe that our market is heated and some countries in the region pass through transformed Masons such as Argentina. This generates opportunities, "spikes.
For this year, the prospect of Magdy is that the network will grow 8% in turnover on the registered last year, when the company made more than R$ 116,000,000.
Despite the good number, the Manager believes that the results could be better if the bureaucracy and taxes on the industry were minors.
"These factors are such investments on the part of entrepreneurs," admits.
New markets
Another network that did not have to close the doors in the crisis is the paulista Sketch that focused only on men''s fashion, has gotten results with the change of perception of this audience.
"Modern man is now more independent and understood the importance of dressing well. Before, there was a predominance of stores focused on women''s fashion, but this scenario is already changing, "reflects the expansion of the Sketch, Tom.
Today with more than 80 units in operation, the Long forecast is closing the year with 40 new stores open.
In 2015, the thread of clothing franchises grew 6.9% compared to 2014, according to ABF.