FRO's 21st edition to be held in A'bad

The 21st edition of Franchise and Retail Opportunities (FRO) 2009, one of the country’s biggest multicity franchise and retail show, will be held in Ahmedabad between July 18 and July 19, 2009. The show is being jointly organised by Franchise India Holdings Limited (FIHL) and Indian Franchise Association (IFA).

Talking about the show, Gaurav Marya, president, Franchise India Holdings Limited (FIHL) said: “FRO is a show for business buyers who are looking for franchises, retail service providers, marketing and sales professionals, and property owners. The two-day exhibition will bring together the investors to interact and learn from the connoisseurs of the industry and explore the best of prospects for them.”

The show is designed to bring together the brightest business concepts and potential investors from the western region of the country comprising states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and the Union territories of Daman and Diu.

The franchise and retail expo in Ahmedabad will focus on the business opportunities and practice-oriented learning on the franchise and retail industry. According to Marya, it would offer over 100 business opportunities to entrepreneurs in sectors like food and beverages, fashion and lifestyle, luxury, health, beauty and fitness, education and training, entertainment, hospitality, travel, specialty retail and services, to name a few.

The show expects to witness networking of an average of 3,000 existing and potential entrepreneurs.

Last year, FRO had witnessed over 50 promising franchise and retail concepts and more than 35 franchise and retails suppliers. A business community of over 4,000 visitors networked with exhibitors to explore unit and master franchise possibilities in their respective region. “This year, the show promises to be even bigger and will have over 100 promising business opportunities,” Marya added.

While Franchise India Holdings Limited (FIHL) is one of the largest integrated franchise and retail solution provider since 1999, the Indian Franchise Association (IFA) has been incorporated recently, as a social corporate responsibility initiative to share information, knowledge and experiences, set standards and promote best practices in franchising.