Q&A: Does HEMA Franchise in the UK?

Elliott Fudge, writer

Published at 20/02/2022, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min

Q&A: Does HEMA Franchise in the UK? — Photo © QA-Does-HEMA-Franchise-in-the-UK.jpg

Retail franchises are looking ahead to the new year with expectation. Having come through two years of challenging circumstances, retailers are eyeing up opportunities for growth once again, so if you’re thinking of making an ambitious career change, why not look into HEMA?

While lots of retail franchises are new and up and coming challenges, nothing matches the experience and expertise of a tried-and-tested retailer like HEMA. From running a proven business model over many decades to garnering plenty of knowledge in onboarding new franchisees, HEMA has been there and done that.

So could it be the right retail franchise for you and most importantly does it franchise in the UK? Read on to find out more about this mammoth retail giant and what it could look like for you.

What is the history of HEMA?

Everyone at HEMA shares a passion: to make daily life better, easier and more fun. That is also expressed perfectly in the essence of the HEMA brand, a triangle that symbolises the ideal balance between good quality, good design and great prices. - HEMA

The HEMA brand has been around for over 90 years. From its flagship store in the Netherlands, HEMA has grown to be an international retailer bringing vital everyday goods to the people who need them.

But while the franchise has grown dramatically over the years, HEMA has always stayed true to its beliefs. Producing its items in-house and ensuring that quality remains a defining feature of the business, the business today employs over 19,000 people in over 12 different countries. For an internationally recognised brand, expertise in retail experience and the chance to run retail business unlike any other, HEMA could be perfect for you. But does it franchise in the UK?

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Does HEMA franchise in the UK?

Unfortunately, the UK arm of HEMA’s operations closed at the end of 2021 meaning that at this time, HEMA no longer franchises in the UK. While undoubtedly disappointing, this doesn’t mean it's the end of the road for HEMA in the UK, or your franchising future - so make sure you check back frequently to see if HEMA returns to the UK market.

In the meantime though, it’s time to start planning for next steps. There are many large and internationally successful retail franchises still operating in the UK, so consider whether some of the following could be equally good opportunities for you:

Signorini Tartuffi in an affordable and delicious truffle retail shop.
CAVAVIN is a fast-growing retail franchise that specialises in providing world wines to wine enthusiasts.
Mail Boxes Etc is a global franchise that can support and deliver all your logistics and delivery needs.

Start a franchise in the retail industry

If you feel like starting a retail franchise, there’s some important information you should take account of. Look more into the state and forecast of the retail sector for the year ahead and look more into what the daily life of a retail franchisee looks like. But if you already feel ready to get started, here is what you need to know.

1. What are the main skills retail franchisees are looking for?

Retail is a customer-facing industry meaning that first and foremost, you need to be the kind of person who loves delivering excellent service and providing a first-class shopping experience. Besides this important skill set though, you will also need:

To have good business sense
To be confident working under pressure
To be a capable leader
Some vital organisational skills
A rough idea of your franchisor’s ambitions, as well as your own

Always remember though that part of the appeal of each individual franchisee is that you bring your own skills, experience and background to your new retail franchise. So whatever previous experience you have could still prove to be important going forward.

2. How much will you need to invest?

Franchising is an excellent opportunity for business people to combine a passion for running a business, working with new people every day and being your own boss. But that isn’t to say that just anybody can do it. You will need the right skills in the first instance and then be ready and able to make a minimum investment in a franchise of your choosing.

Your total investment will vary depending on each franchise, but to give you a rough idea of the amount you will need to invest, retail franchises such as Signorini Tartuffi require a total investment of around £90,000, Cash Converters will require around £100,000 and Mail Boxes will require £60,000.

If this all sounds a bit much for you - don’t panic. Because franchising is seen as such an attractive business proposition, many third-party lenders will offer you some attractive financial loans to help you get set up, so don’t let your financial circumstances get in the way of being your own boss.

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3. What training and support is on offer?

One of the main advantages to starting your own retail franchise is the amount of training and support on offer. As part of a nationally recognised and popular retail franchise, you can take advantage of the excellent training and support that many franchises offer to their franchisees. With years, often decades, worth of experience at your disposal, you shouldn’t be afraid to throw yourself into the development opportunities open to you.

Find a retail franchise that suits you

There are many reasons to start a retail franchise. From making the most of the training and support that these mammoth franchises offer to reaping the rewards of running a retail business, this thriving sector could be the perfect opportunity for you.

If after all this, you decide that retail isn’t necessarily the opportunity you were hoping for, find some other franchising opportunities in different sectors on the UK franchise directory.