October 07, 2009 // Franchising.com // Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has today announced a deal with energy drink supplier, Voltz. As a result of the agreement, the popular Voltz energy drink brand will be distributed to 15,000 retail outlets throughout the UK by Card Connection's network of franchisees who deliver to stores including Netto, Budgens, Londis, Spar and Shell.
"We are committed to helping our franchisees improve the profitability of their businesses," explains Andrew Cutler, sales and franchise director of Card Connection. "One way to achieve this is to diversify and increase the product offering our franchisees can supply to each retail outlet they visit. Due to its popularity, we have been looking at the energy drink sector for some time and see Voltz as one of the most exciting brands to begin to capitalise on this market.
"Voltz is a completely different concept," continues Cutler. "It is made up of a healthy combination of B Vitamins, amino acid and anti-oxidants. The concentrated bottle of energy does not contain carbohydrates and only supplies two calories, giving the consumer an energy boost without sugar and high concentrations of caffeine. The product does not need to be refrigerated and takes up little counter space so is the ideal impulse purchase, retailing at just £1.79.
"Like our greetings cards, Voltz will be placed in outlets by franchisees on a consignment basis so there is no up-front financial outlay to retailers," explains Cutler. "The new products will be delivered at the same time as the greeting cards so our franchisees will gain a further lucrative revenue stream with minimal additional effort. Our valued retail customers will also be able to benefit from the excellent margins we offer."
The Voltz energy drink roll out to Card Connection franchisees follows successful trials of the product in the UK and allows Card Connection to take advantage of being the first franchised distributor of energy shots.
Card Connection has limited vacancies for franchisees who are keen to run an expanding business. Successful candidates would ideally have some management experience as, once established, they would be expected to employ a small team, operate a warehouse and have several liveried vans on the road.
Because the franchise networks in the UK and Ireland are complete, the available opportunities now consist of acquiring an already-established territory from an existing franchisee. These vary in price according to their level of development, but start at £20,000 (+ stock) with earnings potential in excess of £50,000 per annum.
About Card Connection:
Card Connection is one of the UK's most successful card publishers and is the market leader in the franchised distribution of greeting cards.
The company was established in 1992 and became a Full Member of the British Franchise Association in 1995. It now distributes greeting cards to around 15,000 outlets through its network of franchisees.
About Voltz
Voltz Distribution UK Ltd is the exclusive UK distributor of the Voltz energy shot health drink manufactured by Medichem International.
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