For over 30 years, Winmark - the Resale Company® has been helping franchisees attain their entrepreneurial dreams. While some Play It Again Sports®, Plato’s Closet®, Once Upon A Child®, Music Go Round® and Style Encore® franchisees have experience managing and working in retail, others have had to learn the ins and outs of the industry.
From stay-at-home parents to radio broadcasters, professional hockey players, musicians, teachers, pharmacists and more, our comprehensive training program and support teams make it possible to learn the Winmark business model no matter what background you come from.
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Choosing the Right Franchisor
Odds are, if you’re looking at starting a business, you’re exploring different options. There is a whole lot more to building a business from scratch than meets the eye, and franchising offers new entrepreneurs the support they need to open and operate their own business.
Of course, franchising alone does not guarantee success. There’s one key element when it comes to choosing the right partner: trust.
Former pharmacist, teacher and mother of four Chantelle Harder knows just how important this is, and Winmark’s support led her to become a multi-unit owner of Plato’s Closet and Once Upon A Child:
“I’ve always preferred a collaborative approach to own and run a business, and that’s what you get with a franchise… Winmark has a more gradual approach. It was comforting when I was starting that I could take the time I needed to decide if it was the right fit for me,” she said.
Getting Familiar with Your Resale Store
When you sign an agreement with Winmark, we offer over 65 hours of classroom and in-store training. This training program includes business planning, real estate training, merchanding, computer training, advertising, marketing, store operations and more!.
We use an integrated system for all in-store sales, and our proprietary Point of Sale system makes buying, selling and managing your inventory a breeze. This streamlined approach not only allows for smooth day-to-day operations but also means franchisees can seamlessly operate multiple units - even under different Winmark brands.
Between our Operations Managers, online Learning Management System, conferences, trade shows and regional meetings, you’ll always have access to countless resources and support teams.
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Built-in Resiliency
With speculation of an upcoming recession, you may be wondering if now is the best time to invest in a retail business; however, the resale market is one of the most resilient in the world. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic uncertainty, it thrived.
With consumers more focused on affordable and sustainable options, the demand for secondhand apparel is larger than ever - with the market expected to reach $64 billion by 2028.
This, paired with Winmark’s strong support system and proven concepts, is why so many entrepreneurs with different backgrounds have invested in it.
Looking for a change and a trusted partner to help you navigate the resale industry? Contact us today to learn more about opening a Winmark store in your area.
