Mumbai top destination for investors

The recently held Franchise India's Franchise & Retail Opportunity (FRO) Show in Mumbai was a great success underscoring the point that Mumbai is a favoured destination for investors from across the world. Take a look at the updates on blooming business opportunities in Mumbai.

Gone are the days when people used to head towards Mumbai just for the glamour and glitter of the film Industry. No other city in India promises fulfillment of a dream, as Mumbai does. Mumbai today accounts for 70 per cent of the country's capital transactions and some of the leading brands and companies of the world have also made the city their headquarters. Mumbai has also emerged as one of the top choices among entrepreneurs to start a franchise-related venture.

Why Mumbai?

While some brands are already doing very well across Maharashtra, others have well-built plans to launch soon. Mumbai is giving growth opportunities to every sector ranging from Wellness, F&B, education and consumer goods. Kiran Bawa, Managing Director, Iosis Spa & Wellness Pvt Ltd, says: “We made our start from Mumbai and work is in full swing in Pune.”  Brands like Chhabra 555 and Ferns N petals have already started flourishing in Maharashtra.  Ferns N petals already have 24 outlets in Maharashtra and plans for 50 by next year.  Chhabra 555 has seen vast response from Nanded and now has many more projects in the pipeline. Asheeta Chhabra, Head-Business development, Chhabra 555, says: “We see a lot of potential in Mumbai, in terms of business. So, a lot could happen in the months to come.” Anil Sharma, Vice- President, Retail & Franchise, Ferns N Petals, says: “We want to explore a lot of cities in Maharashtra, especially, Akola, Kalyan, Nanded, Jalgaon and Ahmednagar. We are offering FNP retail franchise, express franchise and floral touch franchise.

International impact

Many international brands are already successfully running franchise stores across Maharashtra. Soon to approach is the authentic Spanish frozen yogurt brand, Smooy. Luis Gamon, Managing Director, Smooy India says: “Starting a franchise in Mumbai will be a highly profitable business and very easy to manage. We soon plan to come up in Mumbai and Pune. With an investment of Rs 28 lakh and an area of minimum 300 sq ft, a franchise can be set up. 

Antal International Network also has its offices in Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, China, etc. Shaileja Sharma, Director, Business Development, Antal International Network, says: “There is a lot of potential in the Mumbai market.  There is a great opportunity to recruit professionals, especially in mid and senior level of the market and hence there is a huge demand for recruitment business in the entire western part of India, including Maharashtra.

Opportunities for franchisees

With Mumbai being ranked as the fastest growing cities in India for business startups, it surely is attracting both small and big brands. Ferns N Petals is offering franchise in retail. FNP Express is a smaller version of the retail format and Floral Touch deals in planning and décor of weddings and parties. Anurag Kedia, Director, Four Fountains Spa says: “We offer a zero franchise fee business model and 360 degree marketing with a dedicated team to support our franchisees.”

On the other hand, an investment opportunity with high returns in a recession proof industry is what Nandita's- The Beauty Zone offers. “We are offering unit, area and master franchise opportunity. It's a pyramid business module where the company looks after master franchise, which in turn looks after the area franchise, which in turn looks after the unit franchise. So, there is a proper quality check at all levels pan-India, says Vivek Gupta, Founder & CMD, Iktara Kids.

After 14 years of Medical practice and dealing with emergencies, Mumbai’s well known, Dr. Rekha’s Skin and slimming centre now has provisions for all advanced skin, hair, weight-loss and anti-ageing treatments. Dr Rekha Gonsalves, Founder, Dr Rekha’s skin & slim centre, says : “Currently we have three company owned centers and 1 franchise in Mumbai. There is massive scope to grow and for us market has potential to absorb at least more 7-8 more clinics in Mumbai and over 25+ across Maharashtra.

‘Ticktock’ career options

All those who have an aspiration to build a gleaming career in internationally well known time wear, Just watches has to be the right choice. Mumbai gives plentiful opportunities in sectors ranging from F&B, apparel, specialty retail and Jewellery to services sectors. With 20 brands under one roof, Just Watches plans to expand in Nashik, Nagpur, Kolhapur and Sholapur. 

Potential across sectors

The Wellness industry is projected to become Rs one trillion by 2015. Mumbai FRO saw a great response and brought potential clients interested in education, beauty and F&B sectors. Nandita's  The Beauty Zone has a vision of having 150 franchisees in the next five years. They are offering franchise in two formats- Organic Beauty Boutique, which needs an investment of Rs 50 lakh and Beautiful Inside Out (BIO) with an investment of Rs 20 lakh.  Nandita Sharma, CEO, Nandita's- The Beauty Zone, says: “After establishing the brand in South India, we plan to expand pan-India. Maharashtra is one of the most developed states in India with a great augmentation option. Our Organic Beauty Boutique model is ideal for providing premium beauty services in cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur. Almost similar is the case with  The Four Fountains Spa that is present in 19 locations with 8 more in the pipeline. Currently, more than half of their spas are in Maharashtra. Future priority will also be given to Maharashtra. Experts say, after beauty, the Indian preschool market will be the largest in the world in the near future. The preschool market in India is currently dominated by unorganised small one-or two-centre schools. However, this is rapidly changing with more branded chains stepping into the country. The total market of preschool in India is estimated to be $1 billion and expected to grow at 35 per cent year-on-year as compared to the overall growth of the economy that may range from 6-7 per cent. Manish Naidu, Founder, Brain wonders, says: “We have strong presence in Yavatmal, Nanded, Amravati and Junnar, but the rest of Maharashtra is untouched.”