CALOUNDRA
WHAT: Sport and leisure footwear retailer
PRICE: $298,000 plus stock
FEATURES: Prominent position, expert staff, bigbrand name suppliers
AGENT: Tim Edwards of Savvy Business Sales
CONTACT: 5444 3300 or 0416332 005

AGENT’S REPORT
SITUATED in the middle of the busy Bulcock Street retail and cafe strip in Caloundra, this store has a prominent position and continues to benefit from the population growth of the southern end of the Sunshine Coast.
This specialist retail franchise has proven itself as a success since first opening in Australia in 1981, and today’s point of difference is the expertise of the staff to assist customers with the best footwear selection – aided by The Athletes Foot in-store Fitprint computer system that measures pressure points in the heel and provides detailed information regarding foot characteristics and proper fit.

The staff members receive special training and accreditation by the franchisor.  This attention to service is appreciated by customers and recognised by many local podiatrists who provide referrals.
As you might expect, as part of The Athletes Foot franchise, you’re dealing with big brand name suppliers, so the marketing and promotional aspects of the business are well planned and executed allowing the owner to focus on selling and their own local promotional initiatives.
The original owners have grown the business and maintained immaculate records since opening the store in 2004, but feel it’s time to pass the baton on to new owners and retire. It’s a perfect opportunity for an active local couple to work the business, earn a good income and tie it in with sporting interests.

AGENT’S REPORT

THE reputable and award-winning Gelato Mio on Coolum Beach’s bustling tourist strip offers
one of Queensland’s premier gelato ice-cream experiences.

The fantastic main esplanade position in this expanding beach destination, right next door to
The Coffee Club, close to the beach and opposite the caravan park, assures high foot traffic –
from locals and tourists alike.

Using time-honoured home-made recipes and natural hand-selected ingredients, Gelato Mio
offers customers a premium quality product and enjoys little in the way of competition.
No prior gelato-making experience is necessary. All production methods are highly systemised
and easy to learn and the outgoing owners are happy to assist with buyer training.
Established in 2003, this business shows consistent strong returns and can either be run
under management or with a hands-on approach by a husband and wife team.

The state-of-the-art commercial Italian equipment has an impeccable service history and the
authentic and quality fit-out perfectly reflects the premium product on offer here.

With holiday trade coming on-stream, and exciting prospects for growth, this is a fabulous
business opportunity for the discerning buyer.

Business sales are booming on the Sunshine Coast as people with vanishing net-eggs and sudden redundancies look to alternative income streams.

Savvy Business Sales principal Rod Russell said sales and inquiries in 2008 were “well above average” with 43 businesses sold for a total of $25.6million at an average sale price of $595,000.

He said buyers would expect profits worth about $200,000 per annum on a business of that value and that all 43 of those businesses employed 540 Coast residents. “The level of interest is the highest it has ever been” he said. “Recently we had 32 enquiries on one business and four people were prepared to buy it immediately.”

“We have also had 10 inquiries since we advertised a work-from-home business on Saturday and we expect to sell that early next week.”

“We achieved six contracts in January and we even had an offer on $3.5million on another business this week.The last five months have been exceptionally busy and it is getting stronger by the day.  We have had to put more staff on to handle the demand.

Mr Russell said the typical buyer was experienced in business, aged in the mid-40s or mid-50s and had recently settled on the Coast from outside the region.  The most common type of business sold was in the service or supply-based sectors, many connected to the building industry.

“People who have lost their investment money or who have lost a wage or an executive salary need to get it back for an income”, he said.  “This is a great alternative. And most of our buyers are not buying a quick fix.  They are very educated, skilled business people.”

Mr Russell said statistics from his website showed 53% of internet viewers in January were first-time, unique viewers.

“It is a sellers’ market.  Supply and demand is against the buyers” he said.

By Rebecca Marshall

Sunshine Coast Daily 7th February 09