Internationalisation through franchising: the Parfois case study
International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management
ISSN: 0959-0552
Article publication date: 19 April 2013
Abstract
Purpose
Both franchising and internationalisation are important subjects of study, but in the existent literature little attention has been given to these two topics combined. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the internationalisation through franchising, using as a case study the internationalisation process of Parfois, a specialised retail brand based in northern Portugal, and operating in the fashion accessories business.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study approach was adopted based on information collected from various sources, including the company's website, the World Bank database, some news reports about Parfois, and also from interviews with those responsible for the internationalisation of Parfois.
Findings
The authors have identified a clear pattern in the internationalisation process: the firm is willing to open its own stores in the European market, where it feels comfortable, allowing franchisees to assume the investment risk in other world regions, with particular relevance for the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Originality/value
In the international competitive market, it is important for other retail brands to understand how a relatively small retail brand, based in a depressed European zone, is able to expand worldwide. Furthermore, the lack of existing literature about internationalisation through franchising in specialised retailing companies adds value to this study.
Keywords
Citation
Forte, R. and Carvalho, J. (2013), "Internationalisation through franchising: the Parfois case study", International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Vol. 41 No. 5, pp. 380-395. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJRDM-03-2013-0063
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited