newsletter127

Edition One-Hundred and Twenty-Seven of the Insider

Hello and welcome to this week's edition of The Insider.

In today's news:

~ New research released this week showed almost 68% of consumers are planning to spend the same or more during the Christmas season compared to last year.

~ Chairman of Franchise Council Australia comments on Kevin Rudd's small business support package

and

~ Meet the franchise which is encouraging women to take a serious look at their health and lifestyle.

In Quick Shots news:

~ A random audit up to 1000 food retailers on its way.

~ $3.5 million in fraud charges puts a crease in one franchisee's day.

~ Telstra: Is it set to make its move?

and

~ The champagne has been flowing around the country with franchisees enjoying the rewards of being the best of the best!

All of this, and much more of the latest news and opportunities from around the globe in this edition.

Enjoy!

From the Inside Franchising Team

Quotable quote:

“There are some predictable factors that can lead to a surge in franchise sales activity --- and many of them are pointing to a franchise boom on the horizon.”

MSNBC Report

Click here to Contact Us for more information on how Inside Franchising can help to get your Brand out into the www marketplace.

~oOo~

For Sale and Available Now

>Click here to check out the new listings at our Franchises for Sale pages - there are hundreds of franchise locations to choose from !

You can also now see a full list of franchise for sale opportunities on our homepage

SHOPPERS SET FOR CHRISTMAS RETAIL THERAPY

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said new research released this week in the Deloitte ARA Christmas Retail Survey showed almost 68% of consumers are planning to spend the same or more during the Christmas season compared to last year.

ARA Executive Director Richard Evans said consumers who had limited discretionary spend earlier in the year now have money in their pockets as they look forward to responsibly enjoying some Christmas retail therapy after some tough months.

"The constant 'gloom and doom' messages from analysts about the state of the economy have lead to over 62 percent of respondents mistakenly believing Australia is in a recession at the moment. There results are a timely reminder of the Reserve Bank of Australia's recent comments that consumers shouldn't give in to the gloomy talk on the economy.

"Despite an overly negative outlook on the economy at large, shoppers are still ready to open their wallets this Christmas with over 55 percent planning to spend the same amount of money as last year on Christmas gifts and over 12 percent planning to spend more.

"Over one third of respondents said they were going to spend between $250 and $500 on Christmas presents and another third plan to spend up to $1000 on gifts for friends and family.

"Retailers are optimistic about solid sales during the holiday season, although growth may not be as significant as last year's decade-strong Christmas trade.

"Budget-conscious consumers are planning to wait for the post-Christmas sales, with 15.4 percent of consumers indicating they would complete their shopping after Christmas day. The good news is Santa has come early for savvy shoppers this year with 43 percent retailers offering generous pre-Christmas sales this year*," Evans said.

"Now is the time for consumers to start their Christmas shopping because there are a lot of bargains to be had at the moment. With interest rates at their lowest since December 2003, petrol prices on the decline and the Rudd Government's stimulus package landing in consumers' pockets on December 8, there will be an influx of cash in pockets for the holiday season. Retailers have been suffering all year and now they're calling on consumers to spend responsibly - without relying on credit - and embrace the gift giving spirit of Christmas," Evans said.

For over 104 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia's $292 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Workplace Relations Act and with a range of member services including business consulting, policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA supports and represents over 5000 members throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

30 Shopping Days left until Christmas

FERNWOOD HELPING WOMEN REDUCE RISK OF DIABETES

Fernwood Women’s Health Clubs are encouraging women to take a serious look at their health and lifestyle and assess their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes representing more than 85 per cent of all persons living with diabetes in Australia. Type 2 diabetes is the result of a combination of both genetic and environmental factors and while there is no cure for it, there is certainly a lot you can do to prevent it.

People at risk of type 2 diabetes can delay and even prevent developing it by following a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity, making healthy food choices and reducing the size of their waistline.

Nic Linford, Fernwood’s Weight Loss Expert says women’s waist measurement is the best indicator of risk. “If a woman’s waist measures 80 cm or more you are at an increased risk, and if it measures 90 cm or more you are in the highest risk category for developing type 2 diabetes. Making some small changes to the foods you choose can have a big impact on your waistline and your overall health and wellbeing.”

Fernwood’s Slimplicity weight loss program helps women make sustainable, healthy choices and provides members with ongoing support and education as they lose weight and beyond.

“We understand that many people find it difficult to start a new exercise program, especially those who have never been active before or who have health problems. We all find excuses not to more active but the girls are at Fernwood are here to make the first step a lot easier,” Ms Linford said.

Fernwood’s Exercise Physiologist Maryanne Long says that while strength training can benefit those people who already have diabetes, it is particularly beneficial for all women.

“Strength training helps to increase metabolism and increase bone mineral density which will assist with the prevention of fractures associated with osteoporoses later in life. Exercise in general can also help to relieve stress and tension, improve energy and sleep levels”.

With an estimated 275 Australians developing the disease every day, now is the time for us to take action and the girls at Fernwood have a range of services such as personal training, food and nutritional coaches and group fitness classes to provide women with the support they need to reduce their waist and consequently reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Click here for more information about Fernwood Franchising Opportunities

SUPPORT SHOULD BE STRONGER TO HELP SUSTAIN SMALL BUSINESS

John O'Brien, FCA Chairman and Poolwerx CEO

The Government support package for small business revealed at the Small Business Summit in Brisbane will not provide real impact according to John O’Brien, Chairman of the Franchise Council of Australia and CEO of Australia’s largest pool and spa care network PoolWerx.

“Small business in Australia employs 60 percent of the workforce but minor measures such as the individual tax management plans, $4 million for advisory centres and guarantees of on-time payments for businesses that deal with government departments are not enough to assist small business in this tough economic period,” Mr O’Brien said.

“For instance, there is only a small percentage of small business benefiting from government contracts and Mr Rudd revealed at the summit the Government already generally pay within 30 days so offering interest on overdue accounts is a soft solution and one they will rarely have to deliver on.

“The red tape, insurance and quality assurance measures that a business needs to meet to qualify as a government supplier is also prohibitive for many small businesses. Perhaps if this was reviewed and simplified more small business could benefit from the $30 billion the government spends on goods and services.”

Mr O’Brien who said the franchising sector comprised a third of small business in Australia, posed a number of new measures he believed would directly assist small business in the face of a downturn.

“The engine room of the economy is not getting any preferential treatment and as a representative of the franchising industry, one of the biggest contributors to employment and small business in Australia, I feel it is my duty to rally more support.

“The government has committed considerable resources to ensure consumers can borrow more easily and receive the full benefits of rate cuts but the same diligence has not been paid to business owners. The Government should be pushing the finance industry to pass on the full rate savings to business loans.

“Most small business has a percentage of debt facilitating their activity which generally lies with non-bank lenders and the uncertainly in this market calls for the Government to also rally the major financial institutions to be more receptive and accommodating of small business loans.”

Mr O’Brien said the tax measures announced were not wide spread.

“In my opinion small business has become the tax collector for the government through GST and payroll tax. A solid and truly beneficial measure would be to reduce tax levels particularly payroll tax. The thresholds should be increased and rates lowered further.

“Just in my business if this was able to be achieved we would be able to afford to hire up to two more people just at head office. Small business is the conduit for achieving steady employment rates and you can image the effect is such a measure was implemented.”

Relaxing immigration requirements would also enable business growth according to Mr O’Brien.

“Small business thrives through immigration which is particularly evident in the franchising sector. It drives employment, improves competition and encourages demand. For example the average age of our franchisees is 50 but many visa requirements state a person must be under 45.

“The asset requirement can also be prohibitive to entry to the country but is no reflection on the potential of the candidate to run a successful business here.

“It is simply about looking at changes that can be made to boost the growth of small business.

“Small business commends the Government for taking time to listen to the needs of this sector but it now needs to deliver real solutions that will improve the operating environment.

“All small business really wants from government is for them to get out of our pockets and get out of our way. Let us do what we do best - support and bolster the Australian economy.”

Franchise Advertising Opportunities

"There are some predictable factors that can lead to a surge in franchise sales activity -- and many of them are pointing to a franchise boom on the horizon" *

and with prospective franchisees looking for information on opportunities available,

now is the time to get your advertising organized.

Click here to Contact Us for more information on how Inside Franchising can help you to get your Brand out into the www marketplace.

*Click here for this story

We save you time each week by sourcing Franchising,

Business and Finance news

from media outlets around the globe

NZ: The Green Acres Franchise Group has welcomed news a "master franchisee" allegedly behind a multi-million dollar scam has been charged with fraud.

The Serious Fraud Office alleges $3,591,900 was obtained from about 172 mainly Chinese and Indian immigrants who were granted ironing sub-franchises from March to December 2007.