Opening an independent vitamin store would require you to overcome many hurdles that aren’t present when you opt for the franchise model. So let’s look at some of the many reasons you should think first about picking a franchise when starting a new vitamin business in your area.
You Need Trust
Trust is an important ingredient for any business, but it’s particularly vital when selling something people will put into their bodies. For example, selling vitamins – even if you are well-qualified and the products are of the highest quality – will be tough as an independent operator. So standing behind a known franchise brand name gets you over that first hurdle of establishing some trust. From that point, you can work hard to deliver excellent customer service and the kind of environment that customers will want to come back to time and again.
The Right Mix
The vitamin market is a big one, with an estimate of the total value of annual vitamin and supplement sales exceeding $35 billion in the U.S. alone. Given the market scope, it would be hard for you to build the right mix of products for a well-rounded inventory on your own. With a franchise, however, you’ll have that built into the system, and you can hit the ground running with shelves that are likely to contain already the kinds of things your customers want to buy.
Finding Customers
Speaking of your customers, you’ll have none when you open your doors, so you need to build up a following, one person at a time, with an effective marketing plan. This is another benefit of working with a franchise. You will be able to access proven marketing strategies and materials through your relationship with the franchisor, giving you a big boost toward making those first sales and growing a thriving business.
