Top 3 Blinds Franchises in the UK
Alice Tuffery, writer
Published at 09/04/2019, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min
In this article, we look at blinds franchises and how they can be a lucrative business venture. We’ll also learn more about three of our best blinds and shutters businesses, and the process of joining them as a franchisee.
According to new research, blinds and shutters are becoming more and more popular, replacing curtains in homes across the UK. While net curtains used to be an interior favourite when it came to ensuring privacy, trendy plantation shutters are fast becoming a consumer favourite. As a result, blinds franchises can be fantastic business ventures.
What’s more, homeowners are opting to stay in their flats and houses for longer rather than selling up and moving on. That means there’s greater demand for products and services that help people enhance or expand their homes, so home improvement franchises have the potential to boost their profits in the coming years. In fact, approximately £30 billion is spent annually in the UK on home improvements, making this a lucrative market to invest in.
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- Top 5 home improvement franchises
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- Construction Companies in the UK: Start Your Own
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The top 3 blinds franchises
To help you get started, we’ve pulled out three of the top blinds and shutters franchises on our books. They all offer great franchise packages for investors, so you can hit the ground running and turn to the franchisor for guidance if you need to. Read on to find out more…
Apollo Blinds
About the franchise: Apollo Blinds is the UK’s biggest blind franchise, selling premium, made-to-measure blinds, awnings and shutters. All of the franchise’s products are ‘made-to-measure’, durable, long-lasting, stylish and beautifully crafted.
Since 1972, the British Franchise Association-accredited brand has been creating a distinguished brand identity that sets itself apart from its competitors and inspiring customers with a trusted service.
Today, Apollo Blinds has more than 50 outlets across the UK and is proud to be part of the Hunter Douglas Group, the world’s biggest blinds company. Therefore, the company has a firmly established heritage, market-leading, innovative products and consistently happy customers.
Becoming a franchisee: To meet the increasing demands of the industry, the brand is open to franchising with those who are passionate about being part of a trusted and proven business. The brand attributes much of its success to the power of its franchisees, which is why it has developed five areas of support for new and existing investors (see below for details).
The investment: Interested franchisees require at least £20,000 for the initial investment.
What franchisees get in return: Apollo Blinds’ franchise package includes a comprehensive training programme, marketing materials and website. Franchisees also get access to a support team for daily enquires, area managers for strategic growth support, product trainers for technical support, guidance with marketing, and peer support for knowledge sharing. The goal is to make sure franchisees are happy and can start making substantial profits quickly.
Just Shutters
About the franchise: As the name suggests, this franchise specialises in shutters – interior plantation shutters, to be precise. Customers can choose from a range of styles, shapes, hinges and fixings, and opt for commercial or child-safe shutters if necessary. The franchise is proud of its 9.9-out-of-10 rating on Check-A-Trade and its provisional membership to the British Franchise Association.
This business has been in operation since 2006, when it was founded in Bournemouth. It’s been franchising since the mid-2010s and has expanded into Kent, Cheshire, Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire, Hertfordshire, Birmingham and Nottinghamshire.
Becoming a franchisee: Just Shutters is looking to cater to the rising demand in the shutter sector by hiring new franchisees across the UK. Investors need to have exceptional people skills and the ability to communicate well with customers, as the franchise is offering a hands-on role.
The investment: If you want to join this franchise, you’ll need to make a minimum investment of £27,000.
What franchisees get in return: Just Shutters makes sure all its franchisees operate at a high standard by providing a comprehensive training scheme at its headquarters in Bournemouth. By attending it, you’ll learn about accounts and administration, as well as the franchise’s cloud-based integrated business management systems. Once you’re running your franchise unit, you’ll benefit from support with marketing campaigns to help you get word out in your local area.
Shuttercraft
About the franchise: This shutter business is thought to be the leading shutter company in the UK. It stocks and installs a range of exclusive, premium and high-quality shutters and blinds across the country. Its fitters even offer advice and guidance to customers about interior design and their choice of product. Then, they’ll show the buyer how to maintain them and keep them looking good as new.
Shuttercraft was launched in 2002 and has developed a network of more than 400 trade partners in the UK and Ireland. There are franchisees currently operating in 21 territories across the UK, but room for a further 50 – that’s where you come in.
Becoming a franchisee: The shutter and blinds franchise is encouraging investors with previous sales or management experience to get in touch. To get the most out of your Shuttercraft franchise unit, you’ll need to be a good communicator with a great work ethic.
The investment: If you’re interested in starting your own Shuttercraft business, you must be prepared to invest at least £25,000 in your venture.
What franchisees get in return: Shuttercraft’s franchise package includes an operating manual, a training programme, marketing materials and support with campaigns, and more. You’ll benefit from virtual and hands-on training, as well as monthly, quarterly and annual franchise meetings to help you develop your business. Shuttercraft is proud to have increased its franchise help team by 30 percent in order to better support its franchisees.
>> Read more:
- Successful Franchises: Seven Steps To Promote Your Business
- Traits of a Successful Franchisee
- How To Achieve The Right Mind Set To Be A Successful Franchisee
- Top 5 Habits of Successful Franchisees
- How self-confidence can equal success for franchisees
- Traits of an entrepreneur
Join a blinds franchise today
If you’re interested in running your own business selling blinds and shutters, these three franchises all offer great opportunities. But don’t forget to do extensive research to make sure a franchise is right for you before you put pen to paper. To read more about other franchise opportunities in the home improvement sector, just click here.
Alice Tuffery, writer