Invest In The Grey Market With An Ableworld Franchise

Invest in the growing grey market by becoming an Ableworld franchisee

Both Napoleon and Adam Smith are credited with calling Britain ‘a nation of shopkeepers’ and despite the relatively recent trend of purchasing goods online it’s still largely true.

The vast majority (84 per cent) of retail sales still take place in traditional bricks and mortar retail outlets. When it comes to selling products and services to the growing ‘grey market’ this is particularly true, as many of these customers have the time and preference for touching and trying out products before they purchase them.

Expanding dramatically

The so called grey market, defined as people over the age of 60, is expanding dramatically as members of the baby boomer generation reach retirement age and beyond.

By 2030 it’s estimated there will be 20 million people aged 60 and over and by 2035 29 per cent of the population will be over the age of 60, while nearly one in five people alive today will see their 100th birthday.

These statistics bring with them enormous potential for those seeking to meet the needs of an aging population. As we get older, we often find that extra help is needed in terms of mobility.

And that is where specialist retailers like Ableworld, the brand leader, have carved out a valuable niche in this fast growing sector.

Valued at around £1.5 billion annually, the mobility retail sector is set to expand dramatically over the next few years and while some in society will undoubtedly feel the pinch if the economy slows down, many older people have significant savings and receive generous pensions.

This means that if they need products like mobility scooters, specialist furniture and stairlifts, they have the resources to pay for them.

As the largest retail mobility chain in the UK, Ableworld and its franchisees are well placed to meet this growing demand.

From one store in 2001, Ableworld now has 34 stores across the UK and in 2008 started to offer its proven model as a franchise. Currently half the stores are operated under the franchise umbrella. Ableworld is looking to add more franchises in 2018 as it expands throughout mainland UK.

You can establish your own retail mobility super store via a franchise with Ableworld for as little as £75,000, which includes stock, leased premises, shop fitting, all fees and a generous marketing package to launch the store.

Finance of up to 70 per cent is available via Ableworld’s banking connections (subject to status).

Top training

Ableworld has a best-in-class training programme, which lasts six weeks and includes training for two people on all sides of the business and head office functions like accounts, buying, marketing, engineering and systems.

Regular support and training from experienced Ableworld support managers complements the original training and Ableworld has a fully staffed head office with dedicated personnel covering all the retail functions.

The unstoppable demographic forces driving the grey market are here to stay. The demand for mobility equipment is strong and increasing.