The “Forum on Chain and Franchise Business Opportunities of International Brands” was held this afternoon (3 July) at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, to discuss the present environment of starting business through franchising in Macao and around the world. Guest speakers said that regional co-operation is beneficial to the development of chain and franchise operation in Macao. They added that such co-operation is supported by the market and it is necessary to increase the supply and demand in order to achieve sustainable development. Franchising could also improve brand awareness via the growth of the brand’s store network, they added. The increase in the number of stores can further strengthen the branding effect and promote the development of the chain business. However, enterprises must continue to enhance their competitiveness in order to have a stronger foothold in the market, said the speakers.
Chain Store Operations and Franchising Become New Elements of Doing Business
The “Forum on Chain and Franchise Business Opportunities of International Brands” is one of the highlights of the 2015 Macao Franchise Expo (2015MFE). The Forum was divided into two sessions, with the first session under the theme “Starting a Business for the International Market” and the second one focused on “Practicalities of Starting Franchising Business”. In her speech at the Forum’s opening ceremony, Ms Gloria Ung, Executive Director of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), said that due to the rapid growth of the local retail and tourism industries, an increasing number of internationally renowned brands have stepped into the Macao market through chain and franchising operation. At the same time, some traditional, renowned companies and local design brands have upgraded and transformed their businesses through brand-co-operation, chain operation and brand agency, and make use of the MFE as a platform to establish partnership network to “go global” and explore markets in the neighbouring regions. One of the speakers of the Forum, Ms Susan Su, Director of Franchise Committee Office of the Franchise & Entrepreneur Department, China Chain Store & Franchise Association, said in her opening remarks that revenue for the top 100 chain and franchise companies in Mainland China reached RMB428 billion in 2014 with 124,086 chain stores, among which 97,068 stores were opened through franchising, meaning there were an average of 1,241 stores per company. As the development of chain and franchise operation has become more mature, companies from different industries in Mainland China are actively integrating their online and offline resources. There is rapid development of franchising operation in service industry, with the finance and investment sectors leading the way. Direct selling industry has now been opened up to franchising as a flexible response to changes in the market.
International Chain Store Operators and Franchises Share Their Experiences in Starting Businesses
Representatives of chain stores, franchises and brand agency associations, as well as senior management from companies and experts from the regions across the Straits, the Asia Pacific region, the European Union and Portuguese-speaking countries, attended the Forum. The Forum was divided into two sessions, with the first under the theme “Starting a Business for the International Market”, with Mr Kevin Ho, Vice Chairman of the Council Board of Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association as the moderator. The event was participated by Mr Dong-min Cho, Chairman of Korea Franchise Association, Ms Cristina Maria Matos, General Manager of Portuguese Franchise Association, Mr Richard Li, Chairman of Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan, Mr Kyo Ito, Chairman of Franchise Committee in Japan Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants Association - Tokyo branch and Mr Fabrice Herlax, Marketing Director, Retail Franchise International, Délifrance. Speakers shared with participants their insights on brand development, and in particular, experience of operating chain store and franchise businesses in South Korea, Japan, Portugal and Taiwan and the respective business strategies that were needed.
The second session was organised under the theme “Practicalities of Starting Franchising Business” with Mr Jaman Wong, President of Macau Chain Stores and Franchise Association as the moderator. During the session, young entrepreneurs and participants discussed some strategies and experience on brand set up, tapping the Mainland market and explore development potentials. Guest speakers included Mr Vincent Sio, Marketing Director of Scholar Education Group, Ms Steffi Chan, Founder and Creative Director of "Dare To Dream", Mr Elwin Wan, Chief Operation Officer of Easywash Intelligence Motor Washing House, Ms Crystal Hung, Founder and Managing Director of Chocolat-ier Limited, and Mr Lucas Lei, General Manager of Onemanband Creation Limited and Founder of "Hotmover".
Over 150 young entrepreneurs and representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) attended the Forum. The moderators, guest speakers and participants had an interactive and in-depth discussion about various issues related to business start-up and expansion in chain and franchising operation.
