028 029 apollo blinds DSAP 29/10/07 10:05 Page 2
blinds than to become part of Britain’s biggest
blinds store chain. This is because the strength
of the company is in its network as it is by far
Franchising gives Shaun
and away the largest chain of retail blinds stores
in the UK.
The company has created an excellent
the best of both worlds
franchise business model, based on 35 years’
experience as a franchisor, which has enabled
investors to become part of its network and
Shaun Mescall has been a franchisee with Apollo Blinds for eight years and believes it offers him something
enjoy the benefits of being part of such an
unique which helps him stay well ahead of his local competitors. “We are a local business which provides
established national brand. This is a key reason
a local service,” he says. “But we are also part of a national company which has a strong brand and an
why Shaun Mescall (see interview, left) has built
excellent reputation for the quality and range of window blind products. This gives us the best of both
a prosperous business.
worlds when it comes to selling window blinds in Peterborough.
And behind all of this is the fact that Apollo
“We promote the local service aspect of what we do to reassure customers that we are always on
Blinds is owned by Hunter Douglas, which is the
hand should they require us. But there’s also the fact that we are part of Britain’s biggest blinds store
world’s largest manufacturer of window blinds.
chain and customers know they are buying from a reputable company that is an industry leader. This is
Franchisees get unrivalled access to the widest
a very powerful message to consumers because they know they are buying into a brand and all the
range of window blinds at very competitive
trappings that go with it.”
trade prices which enable them to make healthy
Shaun says that the while local company/national brand approach is paying dividends in terms of
profit margins.
sales, being part of a national network also means he can draw on as little or as much support as
Given that Apollo Blinds has the backing of
necessary. “The Apollo Blinds support infrastructure means my regional manager is always available to
the global leader in the manufacture of blinds,
offer advice and support whenever I need it,” he says. “This is so useful, particularly in helping me grow
has the largest national chain of UK franchise
the business and looking at ways to keep increasing trade. But the management team, along with fellow
showrooms and is at the heart of an industry
franchisees, are also on hand to help find solutions to unique customer requirements.”
which has experienced consistent growth, no
He cites the example of a commercial customer who needed a higher specification of blackout blinds
wonder it is an appealing option for potential
than were available in Apollo Blinds’ existing domestic range. Shaun spoke to other people in the Apollo
franchisees. And thanks to the Mintel report, an
Blinds network and was able to source a solution which met the company’s exact requirements.
Apollo Blinds franchise now seems an even
“That’s the beauty of being a franchisee with Apollo Blinds,” he adds. “I didn’t know what the
better return on investment.
solution was but other people were able to point me in the right direction so that I fulfilled the customer’s
order. I’ll wager that none of my local competitors could have sourced that kind of high specification
blackout blind, but then they’re not part of such a strong national network like Apollo Blinds. I joined
Apollo Blinds eight years ago because I wanted to build a strong and successful business in Peterborough
and I’m doing just that by being part of a national company in my local area.”
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Call : 0845 123 6030
or email: sales@apollo-blinds.co.uk
Visit: www.apollo-blinds.co.uk
Head office: Apollo Blinds, BMK Industrial Estate, Wakefield Road, Liversedge WF15 6BS
Register for more information online at www.thefm.net/34084
©Design 2007 The Franchise Magazine 29
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