On the face of it, the end of yet another lockdown with an uncertain winter ahead, may not seem like the best time to start your own business. For a franchise opportunity like Granite & TREND Transformations, however, things have never looked more promising!
Back when the first lockdown started, we were all uncertain about what would happen and a lot of businesses had to re-evaluate how they worked. None of us knew how this was all going to affect our business. We worked hard to help our franchise partners and used the time to launch a number of new initiatives but most of that first part of lockdown was used to batten down the hatches and prepare for the long haul.
This time round really could not be more different.
The first big difference is that most of our showrooms have remained open. With more than half of our showrooms strategically located in garden centres, they are able to remain open under current guidelines. While many kitchen and bathroom showrooms have been required to close, this choice of location has allowed Granite & TREND Transformations showrooms to keep trading and this looks to remain the case whatever the next few months throw our way. Perhaps even more importantly, the British Institute of KBB Installation (BiKBBI) also confirmed that installers could still continue to operate in customers’ homes as long as social distancing rules were adhered to.
With our continuous presence right in the heart of local communities, showcasing our innovative products directly to our target demographic, we are confident that Granite & Trend Transformation franchisees can continue to offer our customers exactly what they want, when they want it the most.
Since Lockdown 2.0 began, we have seen a big surge in customers flocking to our showrooms while high street outlets have remained closed. Although many shops will now be opening for December, the retail landscape has changed forever and our franchisees have been quick to take advantage of new customer trends.
As Tony Rivenell, from TREND Transformations in Milton Keynes, told us: “Since the second lockdown, we have continued to go from strength to strength. We are in the process of opening our Milton Keynes showroom and even prior to our grand opening, we were generating continuous and consistent leads via social media. A robust online strategy has been a big part of this but really it has all been about offering customers something they can’t find elsewhere. The combination of lockdown, a desire from consumers wanting to carry out home improvement projects and having more time to research those projects online, has helped us immeasurably.”
This is a story that is being repeated right across our franchise network. While many sectors have suffered this year, the Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom sector is booming. After the first lockdown, our franchise partners experienced a huge increase of more than 100% in lead generation with people spending more time at home and realizing the importance of creating their perfect spaces. In combination with our new marketing strategies and product offerings, we saw business go through the roof (read more about that here). We are seeing very much the same pattern in lockdown 2.0, both in our showrooms and as our franchise partners continue to drive strong lead generation online.
What makes our franchise opportunity so unique during this time, is not just our enduring presence online and offline but also in what we can offer our customers. All our franchisees have access to our innovative, proprietary technology that positions them one step ahead of the competition. By joining our franchise, they are able to use our advanced manufacturing techniques, specialist product offerings and world-class marketing campaigns to create their own lucrative business opportunities within this booming market.
It is no surprise then, that we are also seeing a big increase in the number of new recruits for this franchise opportunity. By offering a tried and tested business model that can thrive even during a recession, we have seen a big increase in enquiries and the number of new franchisees signing up with us.
“We’ve found that the pandemic is causing people to re-evaluate what is really important to them, “ explains Chief Operating Officer, Danny Hanlon. “A lot of our new recruits have traded in their corporate lives, doing so with a craving to learn something new, to work close to home, to create financial independence and to build a business for themselves and their families. We are very fortunate to have a business model and a product that is highly desirable right now, which is clearly shown in the consistently high sales revenue being reported by our franchise partners”.
If you’re someone who is ready to take their life in a new direction, there’s never been a better time to get involved with an established and successful franchise such as Granite & TREND Transformations. Spending more time at home during lockdown can be a drag but it is also the perfect opportunity for you to find out more about joining a brand that can continue to grow and thrive in the face of even the biggest of challenges.
If you feel it’s time you began to invest in yourself and your future, get in touch today to find out more.
