INFORMAL FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES
FOR GIFT SHOPS & GALLERIES

Gift Shop & Gallery Sample Packs £200
& Business Start-up Packs from £3,000

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 fair trade products. Our popular and profitable Shop & Gallery business start-up packages cost as little as £3,000.

Informal Franchise: World Art & Crafts operate a highly original and successful Informal Art & Crafts Franchise for people wishing to own and run their own Fair Trade Gift 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 art and crafts 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. We offer post code product exclusivity to anyone purchasing their opening stock from us, and we undertake not to open or supply any new outlets within a 5 mile radius.

Support & Guidance: Our first-hand experience of retailing sets us apart from most importers and wholesalers. We actually know what it’s like to sell from home, work from a market stall, or set up a shop from scratch...and we know how best to display, price and sell our products. Above all we understand what it’s like to start a business on a shoe-string...because that's how we started our first ‘Morning Price Gallery’ in 1988. Over the years we have helped numerous new businesses get off to a flying start. World Art & Crafts will guide you in your choice of premises and location, and then make sure that you get the best possible range of top-selling products within your budget. We will always be available to personally answer your questions and offer practical advice and guidance when needed.

Our Products: Over 2,000 handcrafted gifts from around the world…a unique and virtually exclusive product range made to order for World Art & Crafts. The originality, variety and price-range of our merchandise assures something of interest for everyone...for Birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s and Father’s Days, Christmas, Weddings and Anniversaries, and for themselves and their home. There will always be a demand for beautiful and original hand-crafted gifts at affordable prices, especially if they are fair trade and ethically sourced.

Fair Trade: Virtually all our stock has been selected or commissioned directly from the artist or craftsman at source in the country of origin. We know all our suppliers personally and currently provide well-paid regular employment for about 200 families in some of the poorer regions of the world. We believe trade is preferable to aid, and our priority is to provide decent fairly-paid regular employment for as many crafts people as possible...thus empowering individuals and families to help themselves. We take a keen personal interest in the welfare of all our suppliers. Some we have known for 20 years, and they have become our friends as well as our business partners. We pay fair mutually-agreed prices and make advance payments for the purchase of raw materials. We provide books and other resources when needed, and make every effort to help our suppliers to develop and effectively market their products. And should a supplier’s products decline in popularity we help them to develop new lines that we can buy instead, to safeguard their livelihood.

Profit & Turnover: All our stock is priced to sell for a minimum of double the cost. Many factors affect profit and turnover, but both will largely depend on your selling ability, mark-up, the variety and price range of your stock, the quality of displays, 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 £150,000 per annum. With retail experience this figure could be doubled or even trebled in a prime location. Note: Our Multi-Buy Discounts will reduce the unit cost of many products by 15% to 20%. You may also wish to take advantage of our 10% Stock Bonus Offer (see below).

Product Selection: Gift Shop and Gallery start-up packs are always customized to take into account personal circumstances and preferences, but all contain a huge mix of decorative and ethnic art and crafts across a wide price band including some larger items, one-off carvings and collectables. Once we know the amount available for stock purchase, and the location and type of business, we will prepare a detailed list of recommended opening stock for you. This will be based on what we ourselves would choose to start up with were we in your position. 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 judgment.

The Cost, Payment & Delivery: Gift Shop or Gallery start-ups require an outlay of between £3,000 and £12,000 plus VAT for opening stock. The handcrafted nature of our goods means that once you have decided to proceed we will have to increase production to accommodate your new business. You will need to commit yourself financially a minimum of 4 to 8 weeks ahead of your opening date. A 50% deposit is requested at the time of ordering so that we can step up production and forward purchase 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 is due 14 days prior to the free delivery of your order. Alternatively, if payment is made in full 8 or more weeks prior to delivery we will apply a 10% STOCK BONUS to your original order. If you already have a shop we can supply you immediately from stock. A £200 Gift Shop or Gallery SAMPLE PACK of mixed stock is available for purchase on this website under Product Categories.

Terms: Payment with order by credit/debit card, PayPal or cheque payable to World Art and Crafts. All goods are subject to VAT. There is no minimum repeat 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. Large shop and gallery packs take a little longer.

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 World Art & Crafts.

In Summary: Our Informal Art & Crafts Franchise comprises:

• A proven business format with excellent profit margins
• Fair trade and ethically sourced products with a direct link to the suppliers
• An extensive and growing product range of over 2,000 custom-made items
• Friendly practical advice and guidance on setting up and establishing your business
• Post code product exclusivity surrounding your business premises
• Free delivery of your opening stock and all orders over £300 (UK mainland)
• Prior notice of new stock arrival, special offers, sales and discounts
• Opportunities to purchase one-off carvings, antiques and collectibles not listed on the website.
• 10% Stock Bonus option and Multi-Buy Discounts.

What Next?

Please click on the link below and complete the registration form, then login with your email address and password to access our wholesale prices and online ordering facility (if you do not yet have a business name and address please enter your own). Alternatively, email 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 warehouse to meet us in person.