Domestic and foreign retails seek franchisee
Valor Econômico - 06/18/2008
Domestic and foreign retailers and service companies are in search of franchisees all over Brazil. The expansion of the shopping mall industry to regions far from the South-Southeast axis and the coming of international chains to Brazil, which has become a new eldorado for the multinationals after the slowdown of consumption in the USA and in Europe, have created an additional demand for operators willing to work hard. 18 foreign delegations will take part in the fair held by the Brazilian Association of Franchising (ABF) to take place next week in São Paulo. And the menu of companies looking for opportunities in the country is the most varied possible. The list includes from major chains, such as the American fast-food network Wendy's, to a Spanish company specialized in stone funerary art. And it is not only the foreign companies that want to come to Brazil. The national networks have also started pleasing franchisees in order to have them opening businesses in the North, Northeast and Midwest regions, where the large groups, such as Multiplan, Br Malls, Ancar and Sonae Sierra, are building shopping malls or have purchased the existing undertakings. The development of new retailers is vital for the shopping malls, mainly because the anchoring model of mega stores is starting to be put at stake. According to Marcos Gouvêa de Souza, retail specialized consultant, there is a strong trend of migration of the demand, which was previously directed to products, to services, which will change the "face" of shopping malls. The main problem continues being the access of franchisees to credit, a situation that may worsen with the increase of inflation and of the interest rates.