Albany franchise ideal for sports enthusiast
The Athlete’s Foot store has a prime spot in a rapidly expanding area and enjoys solid back- up
by Colin Taylor The high- profile Albany branch of Athlete’s Foot, a well- known retail franchise with 130 stores in Australia and 10 in New Zealand, i s being offered for sale for the first time as a business going concern within leased premises by Graeme Legg and Peter Nola at ABC Business Sales, for an asking price of $ 130,000 plus stock.
‘‘ Athlete’s Foot is the unequivocal leader in technical performance footwear in this region and is the largest retailer of athletic footwear across Australia and New Zealand,’’ Legg says. ‘‘ However, the business is not focused solely on athletic footwear, with a growing percentage of its total sales now achieved in the comfort and lifestyle footwear categories.’’
The Albany store in Westfield Albany Shopping Centre opened in 2007. It is a popular and successful store generating a cashflow of $ 17,000 a week and an owner’s surplus of $ 100,000 a year, Legg says.
The Albany store occupies an area of 90 q m, most of which is dedicated to the brand’s signature retail display fit- out. ‘‘ This i s a modern, well- lit space with all the trademark fixtures and fittings that would be expected of a premium, international brand,’’ Legg says.
A back room provides additional storage space and an office.
Assets included in the price are the complete store fit- out encompassing retail displays, lighting, flooring and cabinets and IT and point- of- sale equipment. This includes a Fitprint foot- sizing system which analyses individual gaits so that the appropriate footwear can be recommended to fit the wearer’s size, style and activity.
Nola, who i s himself an experienced sportswear retailer, says he is impressed with how the Albany business performs.
‘‘ They offer an extremely professional approach to fitting and product knowledge yet they have a simple management and operational structure.
‘‘ This t ype of business often appeals to enthusiast sportspeople but the training and ongoing franchise support make it very easy for people without experience to be able to own and run this type of store successfully.
‘‘ In fact, the current owner had no prior knowledge of the industry.
‘‘ Albany i s one of the fastestgrowing areas in Auckland with the council’s unitary plan sure to increase domestic and industrial development which promises to grow the local customer base for years to come.
‘‘ Westfield is the area’s premium shopping centre and is the destination of choice for most North Shore residents as well as a growing number of shoppers from the wider Auckland region,’’ Nola says. The well laid out retail store has a good selection of product lines on display which pro- vide steady sales across most seasons. ‘‘ It stocks a great range of quality running- shoe brands, football boots, and lifestyle footwear such as sandals, casual dress shoes and outdoor footwear. The brand range covers shoes for different t ypes of activities including running, walking, cross- training and work as well as for outdoor pursuits.
‘‘ They also provide back- to- school kids’ shoes and recently introduced the Clarks brand to complement the premium Ascent brand that has been popular for a number of years. An Athlete’s Foot customer gets some expert attention.
‘‘ This makes for a busy start to each year, providing excellent cashflow in addition to the incredibly busy Christmas and summer period.’’
Nola says a website gives comprehensive information on brands that include adidas, Ascent, Asics, Brooks, Clarks, FitFlop, Instride, Merrell, Mizuno, New Balance, Nike, Orthaheel Rockport and Skechers.
He says training and information on the latest techniques and technologies, and advanced sales support, including their online staff training tool, in- store Fitprint technology, point of sale system and nationwide TV advertising campaigns support the franchises and make it easy to run the business.
The owner and assistant manager each work a 40- hour week, and three part- timers work a combined total of 36 hours a week.
‘‘ This level of staffing leaves plenty of time for the current owner to enjoy life outside work and allows plenty of flexibility to easily cover extra hours as required,’’ Nola says.
Legg says the Athlete’s Foot franchise in New Zealand has a strong brand name that supports a good price and quality mix that has underpinned the growing success of 10 stores.
‘‘ In addition, Athlete’s Foot has established strong relationships with reliable, long- term local suppliers from whom it receives great support. The Athlete’s Foot has always aimed at the quality end of the market and their products and services reflect the standard needed to maintain sales and margins in this market.’’
Legg says the business will appeal to sports- minded or customer service experienced people. ‘‘ The solid cash flow and impressive profits demonstrated to date will impress any accountant or lender and promise a long- term financial reward.’’