How do Aurelia franchisees make money?
Aurelia franchisees earn revenue from retail sale of womenswear apparel—ethnic wear, casual, and formal categories—through exclusive brand stores. Revenue is the difference between retail selling price and product cost. With gross margins of 32–45% and zero ongoing royalty fees, franchisees retain a larger share of gross profit relative to many competing apparel franchises.
What is the Aurelia franchise cost?
Initial investment ranges from ₹15–20 L (capex for store setup, fit-out, and initial inventory) plus a one-time franchise fee of ₹2–3 L. No ongoing royalty is charged. Store format is 800 sqft exclusive store.
What revenue streams does an Aurelia franchisee have?
Primary revenue is womenswear apparel retail sales (ethnic, casual, formal). Secondary revenue comes from seasonal and festival collection peaks (Diwali, wedding season, new-year). No other verified revenue streams (e.g., consultancy, accessories markup, or sister-brand services) are part of the standard franchisee agreement.
Is Aurelia franchise revenue seasonal or steady?
Womenswear retail is seasonal, with demand peaks during festivals (Diwali, weddings) and new-year shopping, and softer periods during off-season months. Franchisees must manage inventory across these cycles; unsold seasonal stock carries markdown and carrying-cost risk. Revenue steadiness depends on local market strength and inventory planning skill.
Is Aurelia actively franchising in India?
Yes, Aurelia is actively franchising in India under a FOFO (Franchise Owned, Franchise Operated) model. The brand, founded in 2005 by TCNS Clothing, currently operates 150 stores nationwide and continues to expand through franchisee partnerships in Tier 2-3 cities. The franchise model focuses on exclusive womenswear retail stores without ongoing royalty fees.
What is the total investment required for an Aurelia franchise?
Total investment for an Aurelia franchise is approximately ₹45–48 lakh, comprising capex of ₹35 lakh (store setup, fit-out, fixtures), franchise fee of ₹3.5 lakh, and working capital of ₹10 lakh for initial inventory. This total covers a full-service exclusive store setup of 800+ sqft ready for operations.
Does Aurelia charge royalty fees to franchisees?
No, Aurelia does not charge ongoing royalty fees. Franchisees earn revenue solely through retail margins on apparel sales, retaining 32–45% gross margin after product cost. This zero-royalty structure means TCNS Clothing's revenue model relies on wholesale product margins rather than franchise fees, aligning franchisee and parent company incentives toward inventory turnover and sales growth.
How much retail space is needed for an Aurelia franchise store?
Aurelia franchise stores require 800–1,000 sqft of retail space. Approved locations include Tier 2-3 city malls and high-street positions with strong footfall. The space is designed as an exclusive brand store format to showcase the full womenswear collection (ethnic, casual, formal) and provide adequate fitting-room and display infrastructure.
What is the training period for an Aurelia franchisee?
Aurelia provides 7 days of training for new franchisees. Training covers store operations, inventory management, customer service, visual merchandising, and seasonal collection planning. Given the inventory-sensitive nature of womenswear retail, training emphasizes seasonal stock rotation and markdown discipline to maintain the 32–45% gross margin range.
How hands-on does the owner need to be in running an Aurelia franchise?
Aurelia requires moderate (M-level) owner involvement. While the store can operate with hired staff, the owner should actively oversee inventory planning, seasonal collection transitions, and sales performance—particularly critical in womenswear retail where unsold seasonal stock directly impacts profitability. Absentee ownership is not recommended due to margin sensitivity.
What franchise agreement term does Aurelia offer?
Aurelia franchise agreements are valid for 5 years and are renewable. The agreement grants exclusive catchment territory rights; however, TCNS Clothing retains control over store density within a region to prevent over-saturation and protect franchisee profitability. Territory exclusivity applies to the defined catchment area only.
How many Aurelia stores are currently operating in India?
Aurelia operates 150 stores across India. The brand has maintained steady expansion since its founding in 2005, focusing on Tier 2-3 cities and select mall/high-street locations. This store count reflects 19 years of measured growth in the organized womenswear retail segment.
What is the marketing fund contribution for an Aurelia franchise?
Aurelia franchisees contribute 3% of revenue to a marketing fund. This pooled fund supports brand-level promotional campaigns, seasonal collection launches, and digital marketing initiatives managed by TCNS Clothing. The contribution is significantly lower than typical retail franchises, offsetting the capital-intensive nature of apparel inventory.
What makes Aurelia's franchise model different from other womenswear franchises in India?
Aurelia's zero-royalty FOFO model is structurally distinct: franchisees retain 100% of gross margin rather than paying ongoing royalties. This aligns incentives—TCNS profits only when franchisees sell inventory and reorder, creating mutual dependence on sales performance. Most competing womenswear franchises charge 4–6% royalty, making Aurelia's margin-only model advantageous for operators focused on inventory discipline.
Are there approved locations for Aurelia franchises, or can I open in any city?
Aurelia has specific location criteria: Tier 2-3 cities in malls and high-street positions. Store formats must be 600–1,000 sqft. TCNS Clothing controls density to prevent over-saturation and protect existing franchisee territories. Prospective franchisees cannot freely choose locations; site approval is managed by the brand to ensure market viability and exclusive catchment integrity.
How is the Aurelia supply chain structured for franchisees?
Aurelia operates a centralized supply chain managed by TCNS Clothing. Franchisees do not source directly; they receive inventory on a wholesale margin basis from TCNS. This centralized model ensures consistent product quality, seasonal collection synchronization, and pricing discipline across all 150 stores, reducing franchisee operational burden but requiring strict inventory discipline to maintain margins.
