Pool and spa franchise PoolWerx reported a revenue increase of eight percent in the six months to 1 January, and has opened another six new stores, including one competitor acquisition, over the period. 

The founder and CEO of PoolWerx, John O’Brien said the brand’s retail sales were also up by 12 percent over the period, not including the six new store openings.

He believes consumer confidence is high and that the future is looking bright for the Australian pool industry.

“It’s the best first half we’ve had in a decade.

“The pool and spa care industry has almost fully recovered from the double decline; low spending in the wake of the GFC and water restrictions during drought years,” O’Brien added.

He attributes the retail sales increase to the surge in popularity of pool blankets and heating and energy saving equipment.

“We had to work hard for these discretionary purchases in the past but pool owners are investing again. 

“Technology has also improved dramatically, with the latest energy saving pool equipment in high demand as electricity prices continue to rise. Innovation in such technology has been one of the most exciting evolutions we’ve witnessed in years,” he said.  

According to the company’s research, Australians plan to invest more into upgrading their pools in 2014 – a plus for the industry. 

“Pool owners are also seeing pool upgrades as adding value to their property again, with our research indicating 40 percent plan to do so this year. This shows a vast shift in consumer spending in the sector compared to two years ago.”

O’Brien believes franchisees have also played an important part in PoolWerx’s success over recent months.

“Our franchise partners have also become better business people, and significant investments in technology have allowed them to operate more efficiently.”

The brand welcomed 22 new franchisees to its network in the six months to 1 January, and O’Brien is confident PoolWerx can grow its network to 350 stores and 1,000 mobile vans by 2020.

“We’ve identified opportunities for 350 franchise territories – each with at least one retail store and multiple vans.”

These goals will in part be achieved through the company’s emphasis on multi-unit franchising, and it has recruited a number of new staff to help manage the expansion.

“It’s about encouraging growth through multi-unit franchising, and that we’ve taken out the franchising industry’s ‘Multi-unit Franchise of the Year’ award for the second consecutive year shows the strength in our system,” O’Brien explained.

“Significant changes to our support structure, with a particular focus on retail and multi-unit franchising, have geared us ready for growth. We’ve recruited five new field and support staff, and made an addition to our recruitment team to focus on finding people ready to take the franchise journey with us.”

He said improved business confidence has seen the franchise attract the interest of people from a range of different backgrounds.

“The market is certainly more positive than when full employment meant people weren’t looking to buy a franchise, and banks weren’t lending.

“We’re now attracting people from corporate backgrounds ready for big business, existing store managers looking to take the next step, and our accredited banks are making growth much easier.”