Retailer looking to have half of franchisees making business connections within the next few months as it opens a new office to focus on this division
Fonehouse will look to have half of its 50 franchise partners selling B2B connections by April 2013 as more franchisees continue to show an interest in selling the products.
At present, eight of the retailer’s franchisees are making business connections. Fonehouse is confident of growing that number to 25 by the second quarter of next year and 40 before the end of 2013.
It comes after the retailer opened an office in Stoke-on-Trent last month, working solely within its B2B division.
Five people are currently employed at the new premises, with Fonehouse looking to double the headcount before March as its B2B operations gain in popularity.
The new opening is Fonehouse’s second premises, joining its head office in Fulham, west London, which focuses on its franchise operation and consumer connections.
The move comes alongside expansion claims made by Clive Bayley (pictured), who became Fonehouse’s chairman last month following the appointment of former Virgin Megastores and Zavvi Group head Simon Douglas as managing director.
He said Fonehouse will open a further 30 stores next year to take its outlet numbers to beyond 80.
Bayley said: “We’re rolling B2B gradually to our partners. Most of them are showing an interest in doing it and it’s a question of training them and getting them ready. This, along with the office opening, will be a major driver for the business in 2013.”