INFORMAL FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES
FOR SHOPS & GALLERIES

Business Start-up Packs from £5,000

A unique Opportunity: This is a genuine opportunity for an enterprising individual, or couple, to replicate a successful retail business format based on a unique range of beautifully handcrafted products. Our Shop and Gallery business start-up packages cost as little as £5,000.

Informal Franchise: We operate a highly original and successful Informal Art & Crafts Franchise for people wishing to own and run their own shop or gallery. Ideally you will be located in a major town or holiday resort, but we will happily consider other situations. If, like us, you have an appreciation of the arts and are fascinated by the creative traditions of diverse cultures, this could be your opportunity to run a successful and fulfilling business of your own surrounded by beautiful objects from around the world.

Exclusivity: We offer product exclusivity in the locality of anyone purchasing a shop or gallery package from World Art & Crafts, and we undertake not to open or supply any new retail shops within a 10 mile radius of their outlet. However, we reserve the right to continue supplying a limited range of products to retail outlets at visitor attractions (zoos, wildlife parks, etc.) nationwide.

The Product Range: Fair-trade handcrafted gifts from around the world. A unique and virtually exclusive product range made to order for World Art & Crafts Ltd. The originality, variety and price-range of our merchandise assures something of interest for everyone – be it a personal treat, birthday, Christmas or wedding gift, or simply something for the home.

Business Start-up Packs: Shop and Gallery start-up packs contain a huge mix of decorative and ethnic art and crafts. Some are displayed on this website, but this represents only a tiny proportion of the World Art & Crafts product range, and our Shop and Gallery packages include many larger items, one-off carvings and collectables.

The Cost: A shop or gallery would require an initial capital outlay of between £5,000 and £12,000 plus VAT for opening stock.

Turnover & Profit: All our stock is priced to sell at a minimum of double the cost but you are free to raise or lower your prices as you wish. The amount you earn will depend on how much stock you have, and the size and location of your premises. We calculate that with proven products, the right attitude, and a reasonable trading position, it should be possible to achieve a minimum turnover in the region of £120,000 per annum. With retail prices more than double the wholesale cost this represents a gross profit in excess of £70,000. These figures could easily be doubled or trebled in a prime location.

Contracts & Conditions? None! There is no fee to pay, no set pricing policy, nor any percentage of sales to pass on. There is no common trade name, no special equipment or corporate image to maintain, nor any contract that requires you to continue selling our merchandise or prevents you from sourcing products elsewhere. The business is yours to name, stock, price and operate entirely as you think fit. All that is required is that you purchase your opening stock from us.

Support & Guidance: Unlike most wholesalers we have years of hands-on retail experience successfully selling our products in our own shops and galleries since 1988. We know what sells and how best to present it. World Art & Crafts will make sure that you get the best possible range of top-selling products within your budget, and we will always be available to personally answer your questions and offer practical advice and guidance on any aspect of the business.

Opening Stock & Product Selection: If you decide to go ahead we will prepare a detailed list of recommended opening stock to the value of your capital investment. This will be based on what we ourselves would choose to start up with were we in your position, and is likely to contain a mixture of decorative and ethnic items across a wide price band. You would, of course, be free to change or modify it in any way you felt fit, though in practice most people tend to trust our professional judgement. The quantities suggested will be based on our intimate knowledge of the business taking into account the overall popularity of one item compared to another, specific qualities such as size, colour and motif, and the number required to make an effective display and provide customer choice. In addition to the wholesale cost of each item we will also indicate the retail prices currently obtained. These are for guidance only, but if you were to base your prices on ours you’d know that the goods would find a ready market. The price an item can command depends largely upon the quality of presentation and where the business is located, so be prepared to adjust up or down in the light of experience.

Payment: All our stock is made to order and its handcrafted nature means that once you have decided to go ahead we will have to increase production to accommodate your business. It is likely that we will be able to supply you from stock, but you will need to commit yourself financially a minimum of 4 to 8 weeks ahead of your opening date. A 50% advance deposit is requested at the time of ordering your opening stock because World Art & Crafts will be making a considerable financial commitment in stepping up production and forward purchasing additional goods to meet your anticipated requirements in the months to follow. This is particularly important, as it will ensure your immediate continuity of supply even though you are not obliged to buy the extra stock acquired on your behalf. Payment of the balance will fall due 14 days prior to the free delivery of your order. Alternatively, if payment is made in full a minimum of 8 weeks prior to delivery, we will apply a 10% stock bonus to your original order. The stock bonus may be added to your opening stock or set aside as a credit against future orders, whichever you prefer.

Terms: Pro-forma payment when ordering your opening stock, and 28 days credit thereafter, with cheques payable to World Art and Crafts Ltd. All goods are subject to VAT. There is no minimum order, and we offer free delivery on orders over £300 ex. VAT (UK mainland only). Most products are held in stock and orders are usually dispatched within 48 hours.

What Next?

Please complete the registration form below to receive the log-in password that gives temporary access to our wholesale prices and online ordering facility (if you do not yet have a business name and address please enter your own), or call us on 01326 377114 for further particulars. We would be more than happy to discuss your ideas and requirements without the slightest obligation and/or arrange a visit to our gallery and warehouse to meet us in person.