Money Making

THREE
BANG & OLUFSEN
Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen
began a modest production of
radios in 1925 from the attic of the
Olufsen house in Denmark. The
dream was to create a brand built
on innovation, quality, design and
performance.
Today Bang & Olufsen is the
world’s leading premium audio
visual brand, creating products that
are synonymous with quality, style,
elegance and performance.
With opportunities across the
UK, the business is currently
looking for retail partners who share
a passion for design, technology and
innovation. Franchisees can call on an
experienced team at any time to help
with the day-to-day running of the
business, as well as taking advantage
of national marketing programmes
designed to drive footfall and increase
profitability.
They’re also assigned a retail area
manager, who offers support and
advice on business development, staff
coaching, marketing and general/
technical sales support.
FOUR
CARD CONNECTION
A market leader in the UK for
the franchised distribution of
greeting cards, Card Connection
was established in 1992 and has
been a full member of the British
Franchise Association since 1995.
A large network of franchisees
distribute cards and accessories
to more than 14,000 retail outlets -
from independent retailers to major
groups such as BP, Budgens, WH
Smith (Motorway), Shell, BWG Spar
in Ireland and CJ Lang in Scotland.
Card Connection is part of UK
Greetings, a subsidiary of American
Greetings Inc, one of the largest
greeting card publishers in the world.
The company’s business model
has enabled hundreds of franchisees
to run successful businesses over
the past two decades. The business’
focus on product development
leads the industry and a dedicated
full-time head office team of staff
manage 100 national retail accounts.
Card Connection’s ethos is
to support its franchisees, both
nationwide and individually, to enable
them to run profitable businesses.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
INVESTMENT LEVEL: around £325,200. Up to 50
per cent can be financed by the major high street
banks. A personal investment of between £109,000
and £125,000, dependent on location and size, is also
required.
WHAT YOU GET: full training and support; launch and
ongoing marketing assistance; access to sales and
marketing management systems.
INFORMATION:
www.bang-olufsen.com.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
INVESTMENT LEVEL: only
established territories are available
for sale, for which you’ll need a
minimum of £35,000.
WHAT YOU GET: training course;
full on-the-job support; regional
meetings.
INFORMATION:
www.card-connection.co.uk.
FIVE
CARTRIDGE WORLD
Cartridge World has built
its reputation recycling and
remanufacturing printer
cartridges and laser toners for
retail and business customers.
Over the past few years its model
has evolved as Cartridge World
has recognised a need to change
the perception of what it offers to
customers and its full capability and
place in the market.
Having shifted its focus more
towards the lucrative business-tobusiness
market, Cartridge World
now has a nationwide network
of around 120 high street stores
and concessions. The B2B market
provides franchisees with many
opportunities beyond basic cartridge
and toner sales, such as managed
print service contracts.
Recently Cartridge World
introduced a tool that enables
franchisees to manage a business
customer’s printing requirements
remotely. Using it means franchisees
can provide an automated supply of
printer cartridges, paper and ongoing
maintenance from the comfort of
their stores or offices that deliver
significant cost savings.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
INVESTMENT LEVEL: typical
start-up cost is between £30,000-
£75,000. Minimum personal
investment is £20,000.
WHAT YOU GET: extensive training;
ongoing support provided by key
international manufacturers; access
to a range of tools and software for
purchasing, business management
and sales development; exclusive
supplier arrangements.
INFORMATION:
www.cartridgeworld.co.uk.
MAKING MONEY 19