1. Statements in the Article:
“Best World says it has 28 franchisees spread across 10 provinces and one municipality in China. However, not a single one is listed on the company website.”
“Mr Huang declined to disclosethe names of the 28 franchisees and their exact store locations: "We don't share that. Now is not the right time. I'm in the blackout period. After results maybe we can talk more.”
Company’s Response:
At the time Mr Huang was queried regarding the Franchisees, the information on the locations of the Franchisees had not yet been made public on SGXNet. To avoid selective disclosure of information and in view of the expected release of the Company’s FY2018 financial results on 26 February 2019, Mr Huang declined to disclose the information on the Franchisees at the time.
Having considered the concerns raised in the Article in connection with the Franchisees, the addresses of the BWL Lifestyle Centers operated by the Franchisees are now listed on the Company’s website at
http://www.bestworld.com.sg/franchise.html.
Further, the Company would like to inform shareholders that in carrying out its internal controls review, the Company’s internal controls consultant conducted physical inspections of ten BWL Lifestyle Centers operated by Franchisees, as well as performed certain agreed upon procedures in respect of Franchisees, including conducting background and qualification checks, reviewing sales and promotions records, inspecting inventory and compliance management systems, and performing contract and license reviews.
The Group’s management also periodically visit the Franchisees to physically inspect physical premises, and has contacted certain customers of Franchisees for various purposes
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https://valuebuddies.com/thread-1033-pos...#pid151500
Under the Franchise Model:
1) Franchisees sell to End Consumers through BWL Lifestyles Centres (Franchisees act as Retailers, BWL Lifestyles Centres serve as Retail Outlets)
2) Franchisees sell to "Workshops". "Workshops" sell to End Consumers ( Franchisees act as Wholesaler, BWL Lifestyles Centres serve as Wholesale Centres ; "Workshops" act as Retailers and serve as Retail Outlets as well.
I take it that Franchisees "stores" should include "Workshops", hence locations of "Workshops" should be disclosed on Mofcom's website as well as required by regulation. Otherwise what is the point?
Research, research and research - Please do your own due diligence (DYODD) before you invest - Any reliance on my analysis is SOLELY at your own risk.