In conversation with Ashwini Gupta, CEO in Bidding Shopping, regarding his company and what future plans it holds in franchising.
Ques. What is the story behind Bidding Shopping? How it started and what is the inspiration?
AG. Bidding Shopping was planned in the year 2011 incidentally when I came across one bidding site. In that moment I thought of starting of my business with something like that but with modifications. So, I added shopping in it, making it an online gaming and shopping concept.
Ques. What all services and products that Bidding Shopping deals in?
AG: Presently we are offering online gaming and dealing in products under various categories, Holiday Packages etc. on our shopping platform.
Ques. What strategies you employ to maintain the standards of your company?
AG: In online shopping trust, credibility and prompt service is very important. We focus sincerely on customer servicing, stay in touch with our customers to make them feel a sense of belonging and care.
Ques. What are the future expansion strategies?
AG: We are adding more services to our portfolio like our Travel related services. It will be activated very soon, as it is in finalization stage, and few others are also in the pipeline. The move will definitely foster the level of profits of our franchise partners too.
Ques. What motivated you to go for franchise route for your business expansion?
AG: Our motive is to speed up the delivery and servicing process, along with forming a local level presence of our online business, so for that franchising seemed a good way for instant sprouting of our business.
Ques. How many outlets of Bidding Shopping are currently in operation, and how many of them are running through franchise?
AG: We have started our operations in the month of August, last year. Though our franchise model is launched just two months back in February 2013, we are currently having four franchisees working at Gurdaspur, Jallandhar, Meerut and Lucknow. Well, we are receiving many potential enquiries for franchise, as we have a risk-free rewarding Franchise Plan.
Ques. What are the basic requirements to become a franchise partner of Bidding Shopping?
AG: Specifically we look for a dedicated mind to be a part of the growth-oriented franchise model of a long term business, with a desire to learn and operate as per the business plan and philosophy of the company. Then the interested person needs to have a small amount of refundable security for stocks, and a nominal franchisee fee.
Ques. What support and training you offer to your franchisees?
AG: We provide training to our franchise staff and franchisees on day to day operations of business, and assist with complete advertising, marketing support along with centralized call-center facility.
Ques. How the company’s franchise model could benefit aspiring entrepreneurs?
AG: They can expect a risk-free rewarding, growth-oriented business of multiple opportunities to grow in one small investment.
Ques. How will you analyze this sector?
AG: As internet is becoming conveniently accessible to the large number of people in our country, the sector holds a golden future in the Indian economy.
Ques. What opportunities and challenges are laying ahead in this sector, considering the franchise sector, which is getting bigger with time?
AG: We know the concept of online gaming and shopping is growing very fast as the number of internet users have grown astoundingly in last few years, and growth of hand held devices have also advanced the practices of online business activities like accessibility of easy payment methods and delivery of products. The biggest challenge is the growing competition but one can create its presence by sustaining trust of customers, by providing them value for money, after-sales services and a sense of belongingness.
Ques. The future plans for next five years?
AG: our objective is to become a trust worthy online shop, and boost up the local presence with multiple verticals of services on one platform, with maximum presence by the way of franchising.