Whenever a business owner is asked about the retail landscape today, a few roadblocks to profit can sometimes pop up: the GFC, the Australian dollar, the cautious consumer. And of course, the dreaded rise of online — stealing customers from shopping centres and tempting them with cheaper products shipped in from overseas; cheapening the value of real customer service, it is said. But what of the benefits that online can do for your business? The beauty of being part of a franchise system is that you often have access to a head office team who will manage your online presence and ensure you’re making the most of this valuable marketing tool.

The home and garden industries in particular can often rest assured that people will come in-store, because the products within these markets are the kind that need to be seen, touched or tested.