Want to become a L'OCCITANE Franchisee?
The Opportunity
L'OCCITANE en Provence is a global success story. Our story began in 1976 and in the last 10 years we have grown rapidly across the world and now have more than 1,000 stores in over 70 countries. Our success is based on a range of beauty and lifestyle products of exceptional quality, inspired by the unique ‘terroir’ and traditions of Provence, our home and where our beautiful products are made.
Here in the UK, our business has grown to 36 retail boutiques across the country and limited distribution with a selected group of retail partners. With the increasing success of our retail concept, we are now ready to accelerate our growth in the UK by making available a limited number of franchise opportunities in selected towns and cities. Our franchisees will be able to operate their own L'OCCITANE retail boutique in a clearly specified territory.
The Franchisee
- An experienced retailer, you have already been successful, perhaps in a national chain store business or in a single store of your own. Either way, you are now ready to use your innate entrepreneurial skills to take your success to a new level.
- You love the beauty industry but at the same time you feel committed to L'OCCITANE’s unique values of authenticity and respect.
- You are passionate about the beauty and sensoriality of our products and our true stories that draw inspiration from the people and traditions of Provence.
- You understand customers and how to build repeat business by delivering an outstanding service experience.
- Hardworking and enthusiastic – you have a passion for retail and for getting things done
- You have access to capital.
If this sounds like you, then you could be the perfect candidate to be part of our great adventure and could become a L'OCCITANE franchisee in the UK.
L'OCCITANE’s Franchise Model
1. Overview:
- L'OCCITANE already operates more than 50 franchise boutiques in France and has built a huge reserve of expertise in supporting franchisees.
- We have developed a totally unique retail concept and a range of products that is regularly refreshed and animated.
- The franchised boutique looks exactly like one of our owned boutiques and delivers the same wonderful experience to customers.
- The franchisee has access to our 30+ years of know-how in running retail boutiques.
- Franchised boutiques in the UK will operate in cities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants.
- The franchisee contact runs for 5 years and defines an exclusivity on a zone as agreed when signing.
- L'OCCITANE does not take a royalty on the turnover of the franchisee.
- Sales targets are set up and agreed between you and our franchise director.
- Gross margins are attractive to allow for the franchisee to invest in the staffing and marketing of their boutique.
2. Boutique selection criteria:
- Prime location in High Street or in Shopping Centres
- Size not less than 32 sqm
- Shop front greater than 4.5m
3. Investments
These will vary according to the city and the specifics of the individual project. In addition, L'OCCITANE Limited may have specific projects underway in which a potential franchisee may participate, and this participation would be according to a unique set of negotiated terms. However, as a guide:
- Store fit-out needs to be according to our merchandising principles and typically requires an investment in the range of £2-2.5K/ square foot.
- Initial stock purchase would typically be in the range of £25-£30K.
- An initial fee of £7K will be charged in respect of support services, including (but not exclusively): Our help with the execution of your boutique; the store plans from our architect, the assistance and support of one of our managers at the opening and his on-going assistance afterwards.
- You will need to budget for the rent of the boutique and legal fees if you are taking a new lease.
We recommend an initial contribution of up to 40% of the start-up investment for the boutique fit-out, the furniture, consulting fees and working capital. As previously stated, this figure may be negotiable according to the specific details and requirements of an individual project.
If the above sounds like the opportunity that you have been looking for, we invite you to send us a letter of introduction outlining your relevant experience and interest so that we can set up an appointment to discuss this opportunity with you in more detail and at your convenience.
Please address all correspondence to:
Stacey Trinh
Head of Business Development
L'OCCITANE Limited
15-19 Cavendish Place
London
W1G 0QE
Email: staceytrinh@loccitane.co.uk
With warm regards,
L'OCCITANE en Provence
† Please note that all of the above is for the purpose of providing an introduction to becoming a franchisee with L'OCCITANE. It is for guidance only and does not form an agreement or contract.