Villar group readies retail store network expansion

Offers franchise to overseas Filipino workers
By: Doris C. Dumlao
Philippine Daily Inquirer 10:13 pm | Sunday, May 22nd, 2011 

MANILA, Philippines—The Villar group plans an aggressive expansion into the retailing business by setting up a 150-branch network of convenience stores within the next two years, partly by franchising the brand to enterprising overseas Filipino workers.

Finds Convenience Stores Inc. (FCS) was initially conceptualized to complement the villages and subdivisions developed by Vista Land nationwide and to serve the daily needs of its residents. Since its establishment in 2008, FCS now has 25 stores located within Vista Land’s thriving communities.

In a press statement, FCS chief operating officer Wilfredo Camarillo—an industry veteran with a solid track record in convenience store set-up, operations and management—said the expansion program would boost sales to the P1-billion mark by next year when it would have opened 100 stores.

“The next 50 stores will be opened to franchisees. In fact, the retail group is already inking partnership agreements,” Camarillo said.

FCS intends to open the next 50 stores by year’s end and then launch 100 more stores in the next two years, he added.

The Villar-owned retailing network seeks to make quality products and value-added services more accessible to consumers by establishing stores that are conveniently located in every Filipino community. The chain has adopted global standards with the use of a supply chain management system that allows it to restock rapidly to ensure that goods on its shelves are fresh and of the best quality. FCS has also put up an al fresco dining concept, which offers all-day breakfast meals and ready-to-go meals.

“Finds C-Store is set up as a community-based outlet, primarily servicing the needs of homeowners. More than anyone else, Finds is positioned to assist enterprising OFWs and their families back home set up a business they can fall back on,” Camarillo said.

“We want to help OFWs bring home the fruits of their hard labor overseas and utilize it for something tangible and productive for them. The affordable franchising fees, as well as store models prove its flexibility as we put to fore the possible needs of our future franchisees,” he added.

In the franchise setup, the franchisee and the company become partners and share their investments. A flexible profit (and loss) sharing scheme is also available. FCS’s potential franchisees can choose from three store models: Community (100 square meters), Express (50 sqm) and Express Jr. (35 sqm).

Potential franchisees are allowed to choose their store location and determine the operating hours, for as long as it meets its required minimum operating hours. This allows the franchisee to make the most out of store operations during the peak hours and save on cost during slack hours.