Join the
CAVAVIN family!
Would you like to open a wine shop and make advising customers your profession?
CAVAVIN supports entrepreneurs who want to open their own wine shop.
By joining CAVAVIN, you gain access to a selection of wines, champagnes, sparkling wines and spirits, as well as the network’s expertise. You receive support at every stage, from setting up your wine shop to growing your business.
Two models to bring your project to life
You can open your wine shop as a franchise or choose commission-affiliation.
Let’s talk about your project and the model best suited to your situation.
Why choose Cavavin ?
+ 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
in the wine businessFounded in 1985 by Michel Bourel, CAVAVIN draws on more than 40 years of experience in selling wines and spirits. By joining the network, you benefit from know-how built alongside wine merchants and tailored to running your own shop.
COMPREHENSIVE
and Certified TrainingBefore your wine shop opens, CAVAVIN trains you in the wine merchant profession, covering wine and spirits knowledge as well as store management. After opening, a dedicated network coordinator supports you in growing your business.
Two Models for Entrepreneurship
Open your CAVAVIN wine shop as a franchise or through commission-affiliation: two models tailored to your project and your initial investment.
1 The Franchise
Contract
Investment
The investment required from a franchisee varies depending on the store’s sales area and geographic location, which will affect the cost of store fit-out and the store’s initial inventory.
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2 The Commission on Membership
Contract
Investment
The investment required from an affiliate varies depending on the store’s retail floor area and geographic location, as both factors affect store fit-out costs.
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OUR CONCEPT
Opening a CAVAVIN wine shop: our location criteria
To open a CAVAVIN wine shop, we look for visible, accessible premises in an area well suited to a wine merchant’s business.
Location
- In the town centre, close to food shops and parking
- On the outskirts (retail park)
- On a main access road
Retail floor area
- Minimum 40 m² of retail floor space
- A storeroom suitable for storing bottles
Catchment area
- Minimum population of 15,000
- Local B2B potential
- A diverse customer base: residents, working people and visitors.
Store atmosphere
- A cosy, welcoming atmosphere
- A wide shop front for good visibility
What are the steps to opening my CAVAVIN store?
Our teams support you from the very first conversation and throughout your entire CAVAVIN journey.
I get in touch
I discover the two ways to join CAVAVIN, franchise and commission-affiliation, and I present my background, my personal contribution and the area where I would like to open my wine shop. The CAVAVIN team contacts me to review my project.
We discuss my project
I meet the CAVAVIN teams to talk about the wine merchant profession, how the network works and my goals. I can also talk with wine merchants who are already up and running.
My project is approved
CAVAVIN reviews my application and the feasibility of my project. If it is selected, I receive the pre-contractual information I need to take my plans further.
We bring my project to life
With the support of the CAVAVIN teams, I build my project: finding premises, securing financing and preparing the store.
I open my CAVAVIN store!
After three weeks of training and support around the opening, I welcome my first customers. The network continues to support me as my wine shop grows.
CAVAVIN wine merchant: what profile do you need?
Want to open your own wine shop, even without professional experience in wine? Above all, CAVAVIN is looking for entrepreneurs who enjoy local retail, giving advice and building customer relationships. Knowledge of wines and spirits then develops through training and hands-on experience in store.
The drive to be your own boss, to create and grow your own business.
A flair for advice, to guide each customer according to their needs.
Curiosity about wines and spirits, without needing to be an expert already.
A taste for retail, to promote your wine shop and build customer loyalty.
A desire to learn, growing through the network’s training and support.
Let's talk about your project!
Would you like to open a wine shop and join the CAVAVIN network?
Talk to our team to present your project, ask your questions and discover the next steps to starting your business with CAVAVIN.
F.A.Q.
How long does it take to open a CAVAVIN wine shop?
The average time to open a CAVAVIN wine shop is 9 months from project approval. This can vary depending on the search for premises, financing, fit-out work and administrative procedures.
Throughout the process, the CAVAVIN team supports the candidate at every stage until the store opens.
Can you open a CAVAVIN wine shop without retail experience?
Yes. The network welcomes candidates from a wide range of professional backgrounds. The qualities we look for are above all people skills, an entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to grow a local business. Initial training and the network’s support then allow you to acquire the skills specific to the wine merchant profession.
How much floor space do you need to open a CAVAVIN wine shop?
The average CAVAVIN wine shop is around 60 m². The network generally looks for premises with at least 40 m² of retail space, plus a storeroom and a water supply point. Depending on the location and the project, the floor area may be larger. CAVAVIN supports the candidate in assessing the premises and their commercial potential.
What training is required to become a CAVAVIN wine merchant?
To become a CAVAVIN wine merchant, future franchisees complete a 5-week initial training programme. It covers essential knowledge of wines and spirits, customer advice, running a wine shop and using the network’s tools.
This training is also open to people changing careers who do not come from the wine industry. After opening, wine merchants can keep developing their skills through ongoing training.
How do you choose the location for your future wine shop?
Choosing the location is a key step in opening a wine shop. It involves studying the catchment area, potential customers, the retail environment and the accessibility of the premises.
CAVAVIN supports future franchisees in studying their target area and finding premises suited to their project. The network also advises them on fitting out their future wine shop in preparation for its opening.
Can you open several CAVAVIN stores?
Opening several CAVAVIN stores can be considered as part of an entrepreneurial development plan. Each new location must take into account the area’s commercial potential, financing and the entrepreneur’s ability to manage several stores.
The CAVAVIN network supports its franchisees in growing their business and can explore their development prospects with them.
After opening, franchisees also benefit from regular follow-up with a network coordinator, store visits, management tools, ongoing training and marketing support.
How can you finance opening a franchised wine shop?
Financing a franchised wine shop generally relies on a personal contribution, supplemented by a bank loan depending on the project.
At CAVAVIN, the minimum personal contribution is €35,000 excl. VAT for a total investment of around €100,000 excl. VAT as a franchisee. For commission-affiliation, it is €20,000 excl. VAT for a total investment of around €57,000 excl. VAT.
The network helps candidates prepare their project and advises them on their financing applications.
What support does CAVAVIN offer to find commercial premises?
CAVAVIN supports future franchisees in finding and assessing their commercial premises. The network notably helps analyse the target area and evaluate the commercial potential of the planned location.
Once the premises have been identified, the CAVAVIN teams also support the candidate in preparing the store, including fit-out work and the shop layout, right up to opening.
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