Top five franchise trends expected in South Africa in 2017

Our Head of Franchise, Dumisani Bhengu, shares his top five franchise industry trends in South Africa for 2017.

South Africa’s economy is under significant pressure and does not promise a great deal of progress for business or consumer – with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicting only 0.8% growth in 2017. Franchising, however, is one sector that has consistently shown its resilience by performing well and this trend is expected to continue in 2017.

A recent Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) sector survey, for instance, indicated a positive forecast for both franchisees and franchisors in the next year, confirming strong confidence within this sector.

While there will undoubtedly be ‘winners and losers’ in the increasingly challenging competitive landscape, there are several sub-sectors of franchising that are projected to show substantial growth in 2017. My predictions are that the biggest trends of 2017 will take place in these areas: health, beauty and body culture; crowd-sourcing; restaurant and coffee shops; child-care and entertainment; and the used vehicle market and auto services sector.

Below are my top five franchise industry trends for 2017:

• The ‘lipstick effect’ to continue driving growth in the health, beauty and body culture sector

The lipstick effect theory is based on the notion that when facing an economic crisis, consumers will buy less costly luxury goods –meaning they will largely switch from the non-essential (nice-to-have) to the essential (must-haves). The healthcare, beauty and body culture sector challenges this theory, though, as sales show continued growth even in times of economic downturn.

Research published in the Journal Personality and Social Psychology in 2012, for example, illustrated that L’Oréal saw its sales grow 5.3% in 2008 – and linked the growth to a pre-historic urge to preserve the species.

According to 2016 FASA research, the healthcare, beauty and body culture sector accounted for approximately 5% of the total franchise sector and this is predicted to increase going forward.

• Crowdsourcing and similar platforms continue to drive a wave of disruption – compelling growth in franchise systems Crowdsourcing has taken much of the business world by storm in the last decade – and this is no less true in the franchising sector. According to Jason Daley, innovation advisor, donors are interested in funding new products and creative or cutting-edge businesses, and it could open up a whole new path to franchise ownership.

With the rapid and continuous advancements in technology, it is certain to open up opportunities for crowdsourcing in franchising. Crowdsourcing also has the potential to leverage the growth of the 'multi-unit franchising' trend – when a franchisee owns many stores and runs them like a corporate business – which according to FASA continues to gain traction in the South African market.

• The rise of the restaurant and coffee shop sector

Statistics South Africa recorded steady growth in the restaurant and coffee shop sector, which in 2016, according to FASA, made up the largest portion of the franchising sector at 20%. Income increased by 4.5% year-on-year in May and was up 4.7% from April.

Continued demand and the emergence of ever-greater numbers of competitors ensure that the sector will provide no shortage of opportunities for savvy entrepreneurs in 2017.

• Increase in childcare and entertainment initiatives

Childcare currently makes up 10% of the franchising sector, reveals FASA, and entertainment is a critical component of childcare. The rise of initiatives that incorporate both childcare and entertainment in safe and supervised environments has grown in recent years – and is set to continue to evolve in the next year. This is due to growing customer demand.

• Growth in the used vehicle market and auto services sector as consumers keep their cars longer

Statistics released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers in South Africa (NAAMSA) in the new vehicle market throughout 2016 have corroborated the difficult operating conditions, characterised by double-digit or near-double-digit year-on-year declines.

Domestically, the short to medium-term outlook remains extremely challenging. While this is negative for economic growth, it provides an opportunity for the auto services sector of the franchise industry. Statistics indicate that people are keeping their vehicles for longer and possibly outside of the motor plan contract requiring services from companies like Goldwagen, which bodes well for the franchise industry.

Despite a negative economic outlook for South Africa overall, there are a number of opportunities available in the country’s robust franchising sector. It should continue to offer viable business ventures and opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurial franchisors and franchisees alike in 2017.

Future franchise owners and entrepreneurs can learn more here.