Office supplies franchisor Netstationers is reporting a spike in enquiries from independent dealers worried about continuity of product supply in the current economic climate. Requests for further information on the Netstationers’ franchising business model have more than doubled in the past two weeks as concern from dealers over stability of supply from their wholesalers continues to grow.
Dealers are increasingly looking for a viable solution to ensure that their businesses survive, whilst they retain control and continue to make margins. In the past, the choice to either cease trading or be acquired were the only two options but the market is fast acknowledging a new alternative – become a franchisee.
“Franchising offers a huge raft of benefits to independent dealers who might be concerned about sustaining their business during the recession,” explains Neil Brassington, director of franchising, Netstationers. “Issues such as financing and supply are completely taken care of by the franchise parent, giving new franchisees the opportunity to realistically compete against larger dealers.”
By reversing their business into a franchise, dealers can benefit from the full support of a larger organisation and its infrastructure, along with additional advantages like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations and industry leading technology. Dealers can instantly reduce the majority of business overheads and get on with what they do best – selling to customers.
“Franchising is a viable and reassuring option for independent dealers in these difficult times,” Brassington concludes.
About Netstationers
Netstationers helps businesses to avoid wasting time and money buying commodity goods that they don’t need or at inflated prices. Its software gives the finance and procurement function visibility of all transactions, such as purchases of office supplies, print and travel.
The web-based procurement portal enables staff in large companies with a number of nationwide offices to order standard items for every location at the lowest possible price. This helps overcome problems such as inconsistent pricing when employees lack professional negotiating skills and also prevents unauthorised spend by staff.
For further information, please visit http://www.netstationers.co.uk or contact ocg@berkeleypr.co.uk.