Change Lingerie is a Danish company that has had a presence in Canada since 1999 and established itself in this country's retail sector through corporate expansion before turning to franchising.
Ari Zucker, the company's Montreal-based Managing Director, says he began importing and wholesaling the Change product line of bras and undergarments before opening the corporate locations in 2006. There are currently 15 corporate-owned Change stores in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
He sold the first franchise in 2008 in Vancouver and a second opened in Saskatoon earlier this year. Change occupies a niche between mass market retailers and high-end boutiques and appeals to women aged 25 to 50. "When you come into our stores you get the service and personal fitting of a boutique but at half the price," says Zucker.
Change began franchising in earnest late last year and will offer single unit and multiple unit agreements, but is not looking for area developers. The company is set up to open a new store every other month if demand warrants expanding at that rate. They are looking for female franchisees with retail experience, good sales and people skills, and a passion for the product.
