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Foyles puts out franchise feelers

17.04.08

Foyles is looking at opening franchise stores overseas as it develops its business as a ­global brand.
Chief executive Sam Husain said that the company had been talking to a professional adviser, but stressed that discussions were at a “very early stage”. “That would be my preferred development strategy overseas, and I believe it would be Christopher’s [Foyle, the retailer’s chairman] as well,” he said.

The independent has been expanding its UK store base of late, opening new shops at London’s Royal Festival Hall and in St Pancras railway station, with a new White City store due to open in October.

Husain said he was looking at predominantly English-speaking countries for franchise opportunities. “India is clearly a country where there’s a possibility, but you would have to have a very good partner,” he said. He is also considering “places like the UAE, where there is a large expat population, Singapore, Hong Kong—the sort of country where the name Foyles does make people perk up”.

He said that while the business was in early discussions to expand abroad, Foyles’ immediate plans in the UK would be consolidation. “[The next year will be spent] making sure these new shops are delivering, and that we are able to control the business that we have without compromising the efficiency and service,” he said. “Then we would look to new opportunities after that.”

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