Licensed to sell

Data published by the Profit System consultancy show that this year the number of franchise stores on the Polish market may total 50,000. In 2011 the figure was 42,500 - a 5,300 rise on the previous year. The share of franchise stores in shopping centres varies depending on a centre's size and location. Marek Błędowski, the commercial director of ApsysPolska, says that for the Manufaktura centre in Łódź (which was opened six years ago) the proportion is 5 pct (over 300 units). "The leasing process for the Łacina shopping centre in Poznań, which is to open in 2014, has shown that the number is going to be larger. In smaller cities the share will rise even more," he adds. In the projects of Gemini Holdings (Gemini Park Bielsko-Biała and Gemini Park Tarnów) franchise stores account for 13 pct - 15 of all the leases signed. As for NoVa Park, opened on April 18th in Gorzów Wielkopolski, 10 pct of the 150 stores are franchise units. The franchise market is thriving on the current d