The franchise in three [sectors] movements

In this article we analyze the challenges and realities of three of the most representative sectors of the franchise, with which we amplify the portrait of the market for this beginning of the course.

Hotel and restaurant cannot be missing from this kaleidoscope of opportunities and trends. Victor Sancho, Director of Operations and Sales Grupo La Mafia sits at the table, explains that the duties consist, “fundamentally”, in balancing product and labor costs against the pricing policy on the menu. “The fluctuations and the difficulty of access to qualified workers make us increase costs appreciably and, therefore, the need to adjust our price policies for sale to the public. We are also concerned about the return to activity after the summer and the behavior of customers, especially at midweek.”

As for the opportunities, “perhaps specialization, a return to tradition and product quality will guide us in the coming years, to which is added the image and a correct quality-price ratio”, foresees Sancho. “The client is not going to accept paying extra costs if he does not experience something that makes him feel worthwhile.”

in body and mind

Health, represented by fitness, is another indispensable player. “We are seeing an increase in participation in physical activities, both in traditional gyms and in alternative modalities, such as home training, group classes, outdoor fitness and mobile applications,” he stresses. Tim Devereaux, CEO of Anytime Fitness Iberia.

One of the major challenges is to stand out in such a diverse and competitive environment. “This implies offering differentiated services, competitive prices without neglecting the economic performance of our clubs, excellent customer service and focusing on the quality and results of the training programs.”

As a result of its dynamism, opportunities flourish. “Customers are looking for holistic health and wellness solutions rather than just focusing on physical appearance, so they value the combination of physical activity, healthy eating, adequate rest and stress management to achieve overall balance. Our model is evolving in this direction and we are putting all the pieces of the puzzle together, something that we hope to show the world very soon.”

In parallel, the sector is also seeing opportunities in tailoring programs and services for specific demographic groups, such as seniors, pregnant women, and people with injuries, “something we’ve been exploring for years.”

Global proximity, design and quality

In a way, these are the coordinates that are guiding the fashion-accessories sector. “We believe in continuing to bet on a quality product such as the espadrille made in Spain, versatile and fresh footwear that is inspired by the latest trends,” he points out. Jordi Pons Oriell, CEO of toni pons. “We are also working on new product lines that allow us to seasonally adjust, on internationalization as a lever for growth and on a multi-channel approach.” From the company they remember, on the other hand, that in the sector there is the purpose of heading towards an increasingly sustainable future. “In our collections there is an increasing presence of innovative materials and those of recycled origin, seeking to give a second life to waste such as plastic bottles and minimize the environmental impact of our footwear.”

Challenges all of them, on the other hand, that define a market where demand is stabilizing to return to a pre-covid growth rate. “This represents an opportunity to consolidate the teams and finish landing new processes and technology that we have incorporated to respond to the levels of growth experienced in recent years.”