THE all-conquering leadership team from Michel’s Patisserie, Toronto, has revealed plans to expand into China.
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Greg Stevens and Annie Li recently returned from the China Guangzhou International Franchise Exhibition where they explored potential business opportunities.
“Chinese cities are becoming more and more modern by the day, with the younger generation professionals driving change and expecting more options for their spend on hospitality options,” Mr Stevens said.
“For instance, in Guangzhou, the third largest city in China, more and more people are dining in cafes, and their customers are not just foreigners and expats but Chinese professional workers and business owners.”
Growth in China has led to higher wages and increased consumer spending. And with the new trade agreement between Australia and China, there are opportunities to do business there.
Mr Stevens isn’t the only person in the family looking to the Chinese market.
“My step-daughter Jessica Yang has started importing designer baby wear to Australia and Toronto, with her first product recently launched a maternity style sports bra for easier breast feeding,” he said.
The Toronto patisserie was named Franchisee of the Year, and won the Supreme Award for Retailer of the Year, at the recent National Retail Association Awards, in Sydney.
Earlier this year, the patisserie won a Hunter Business Chamber Award for Excellence in the Best Customer Service category; and last year, at the Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards, they won for Best Retail Practices.
The business will soon be profiled on The Franchise Show, on Channel 7.
And the Toronto store has this week launched a new ‘Taste Of The Great Australian Bake Off’ range, inspired by the Foxtel television series The Great Australian Bake Off.
The range features products that reflect each week’s theme from the TV program.
“Last week we highlighted our signature rosette cake to celebrate ‘cake’ week,” Mr Stevens said.
“We will also be giving away a special product each week on the Michel’s national Facebook page.”