Retailer Oui to set up new UK franchise stores

It’s no secret that British businesses are struggling to figure out what “Brexit means Brexit” really means. So it’s encouraging to see corporate chieftains from foreign shores who aren’t letting financial uncertainties deter them from venturing into the UK. One franchisor hoping to make the cut is Oui, the German womenswear company that’s just announced that it will expand its franchise network in the UK.

The brand already has 40 franchise outlets in Germany, ten in Austria and three in the Netherlands, as well as one British franchise shop in Harpenden. And their existing UK franchisee may soon find themselves in good company, given that Oui plans to roll out 30 to 35 franchise outlets in the country over the next two to five years.
Oui is no stranger to the British high street, of course. The family-run fashion company – which was founded back in the 1950s – attempted to break into the UK market in the 1980s but closed its last shop a decade later to focus on selling through retailers like House of Fraser and John Lewis. Today, fashionistas can find the brand in over 200 shops around the country.

And now the third generation of family members running the business is determined to maintain the franchise model that’s been so successful globally. “It’s better to partner with entrepreneurs who are entrenched in their local communities,” said Alon Junger, co-owner of Oui who runs the company together with his wife and brother in law.

And since only 1% of franchises had to close their doors due to commercial failure back in 2015, it seems to be a sound strategy. As long as Oui’s leadership continues to display sartorial flair and business acumen in equal measures, the new franchisees will be onto a good thing.