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How to buy a franchise
Check these dos and don'ts before buying a franchise.
Assess a franchise opportunity
What to find out when considering buying a franchise - including costs, competition, current success and support.
Is it realistic to sell my business?
Key points you need to consider to make sure your business is financially healthy and attractive to buyers.
Types of retail business
The various types of retail business, including convenience store, speciality store, supermarket, discount store, department store, warehouse, direct retailer and online store
Franchise agreements for a franchisee
Your franchise agreement should cover franchise length, territory, amount of fees, management service fees and royalties, and restrictions.
When to sell your business
The importance of planning ahead and what to consider to help you sell your business at the best price.
Ten top tips for starting a retail business
Ten top tips to starting a retail business successfully and staying afloat in the early days of trading
Measure your financial performance
Use common financial performance measures, such as profit margins and accounting ratios, to review your business finances
Problems with growth: overtrading
Overtrading and lack of finance are common problems in a fast-growing business - here's how to overcome them
Where to set up your retail business
Find the right place to set up your retail business in Northern Ireland by weighing the important options
Grow your business
Browse our key guidance to help you find growth funding in Northern Ireland, and learn how you can scale up your business and grow
Business growth and premises
As your business grows and takes in more staff, you may need to assess your options for larger business premises
Avoid problems during business growth
Common issues that businesses often face during growth, and tips for overcoming these difficulties through proper planning and management.
Business growth: market research
Use market research to drive business growth and innovation and to stay ahead of the competition
Business growth strategy and planning
Maximise the chances of business growth success by carefully planning your growth strategy
Business growth: developing skills
Developing effective leadership skills and making the most of other people's abilities can help you grow your business
Record-keeping best practice
Good record keeping habits and the "four S" approach: system, separate, security, storage.
Business exit strategy: float your business on the stock market
Characteristics your business will need to attract venture capital investment or for a stock-market flotation.
Purchase ledger
What to record in a purchase ledger to keep track of how much money you owe.
Wages book
The value of maintaining a wages book and how to manage it if you employ staff.