Written By: Shurbhi Thapliyal

Consumer expenses in India have increased significantly over the past few years. It is more prominent in baby care and maternity products. Today, more parents want the best quality products that are safe and reliable for their babies. With FirstCry, one of India's largest e-commerce sites focused on selling baby and kids' products, in the fray, one can easily see that it is a wonderful opportunity being offered to entrepreneurs as the brand extends its reach into the offline sector with franchising. This blog will discuss the costs related to opening a FirstCry retail store franchise in India in 2025, outline the merits of this investment, and provide crucial understanding for potential investors.

The FirstCry Franchise Model - The Story of FirstCry

FirstCry was established in 2010. FirstCry was nothing but an online marketplace selling baby products initially. In some years, the brand has registered great success by expanding its operation over 500 stores across India. It offers everything to be used by babies such as clothes, toys, diapers, feeding essentials, etc. It is a one-stop destination for parents who buy anything for their little ones.

The Franchise Opening Opportunity

The franchise model provided by FirstCry allows entrepreneurs to capitalise on its strong brand reputation, extended product offerings, and a well-established framework of operations. Partnering with FirstCry provides the franchisee with an established business model having minimal risks while maximising potential returns.

The Baby Care Market in India - Market Overview

The baby care market is expected to be on an exponential trajectory in the years ahead, with projections that may cross over the INR 300 billion mark by 2025. 

• Disposable Income Increases: More families have an increasing disposable income, and it makes them ready to splurge on premium products for their little ones.
• Urbanisation: With the fast speed of urbanisation, lifestyles of parents change for seeking convenience and quality products they are purchasing.
• Increasing Knowledge: The onset of social media and digital marketing period makes people realise the need for quality baby products; thus, people seek the most reliable brand, which is FirstCry.

Why Open the FirstCry Franchise?

A FirstCry franchise investment offers you the opportunity to tap into the burgeoning market, with such enormous potential for growth, and the growing onus placed on baby and maternity products will ensure that demand only grows.

This makes for fertile ground for a high return on investment by the franchisee.

2. Brand Recognition

FirstCry is a word in India, synonymous with quality and reliability, much like a household brand. So it provides strong brand recognition that brings customers to your store. Hence, you are at an advantageous edge compared to local shopkeepers in your locality.

3. Wholesome Support

One of the most crucial support features for a franchisee model in FirstCry comes in comprehensive support. Such support includes:

• Initial Training: This training is quite comprehensive because it ranges from learning what the products are to how to provide service to customers.
• Marketing Support: FirstCry is really committed to providing franchisees with constant marketing support with promotional campaigns, digital marketing strategies, and advertising materials. 
• Operational Support: From inventory management to employee training, FirstCry provides everything needed to run a store effectively.

4. Diverse Product Range 

Being a franchisee, you would have more than 2,000 products in categories like:

• Clothing: Good quality apparel for infants and toddlers.
• Toys: Toys which are both educational and entertaining
• Baby Care: Diapers, wipes, and skincare products
• Maternity Products: Items for the expectant and new mothers.

This diversified product range allows you to reach a larger audience, thus increasing sales and customer loyalty.

Cost to Invest in a FirstCry Franchise

1. Initial Investment Breakdown

• Operating a firstcry franchise requires investments which of course involves opening costs to any would-be investor or franchise. For instance, the initial franchise fee is expected between INR 3 and 5 lakhs. Therefore, this amount will enable you to have ownership of a FirstCry Store and attain all support from the brand.
• Store Setup Costs: The costs involved with the store setup include renovation, interior designing, signage, and required equipment. Setup costs would vary from INR 10 to 20 lakhs according to the size of the store.
• Inventory Costs: It is the inventory at initial stages of opening up the store, which would provide your store with necessary stocks and be able to deliver to the customers. Inventory might cost around INR 10 to 15 lakhs for the franchisees.

It is wise to keep buffer money for operational expenses such as salary, utilities, and marketing during the first months. This comes to INR 5 to 10 lakhs.

2. Running Royalties and Fees

The other costs besides the initial fee that a franchisee has to pay are royalties. These typically range between 5% to 10% of the sales generated monthly. Royalties enable the brand to continue spending on marketing efforts, support for the franchisee, and even upgrades of the franchise system.

Other Costs to Keep in Mind

Besides the setup costs and royalties, there are other costs the potential franchisee has to take into account:

• Staffing Costs: You need people to serve your customers at the best. The store size would also demand salaries and training programs.
• Utilities: You will have electricity, water, and internet that are non-variable costs you need to budget for every month.
• Marketing Expenses: As FirstCry has everything that is required to market, you might still need to provide for local advertising, events, or promotions by the store to bring the customers into it.

Advantages of Owning a FirstCry Franchise

1. Established Business Model

One of the prime benefits of investing in a FirstCry franchise is an established business model. The franchise offers established systems, procedures, and guidelines to operate effectively, hence lowering the learning curve of new entrepreneurs and enhancing the possibilities of success.

2. Thorough Training and Support

FirstCry puts tremendous significance on training and support. Franchisee is continuously supported in many domains which include:

• Inventory Management: Educating how to monitor levels of stock, ordering process, and keeping the store in optimum stock.
• Sales and Marketing: Learning effective sales skills and marketing strategy for making parents and caregivers fall for this product.
• Customer Service: Establishing good customer service that lets the customer have a nice experience.

Owning a FirstCry franchise is one way to be the boss for yourself while yet on being supported by a strong and established brand. So, it's the perfect balance, really, for any serious retail business owner looking to make their mark.

Application Process to Start a FirstCry Franchise

1. Eligibility Criteria

Applying for a FirstCry franchise does require a list of eligibility criteria that could include: Retail experience is preferred but not necessary.

Sufficient investment amount

Zeal for entrepreneurial zeal and love for customers.

Application Process

The process to apply for the FirstCry franchise consists of the following application steps:

• Enquiry: The applicant has to fill up the form available at the FirstCry website or contact the franchise team
• Initial Discussion: Representative of First Cry calls you for an initial discussion, gauges your interest and clears all the doubts which might be creeping into your mind.
• Documentation: Application Process The applicant must provide every important document for consideration, like identification proof, financial statements, and a preliminary business plan.
• Interview: There will be a formal interview for considering the feasibility of the applicant regarding the franchise model.
• Agreement and Training: Franchisees would enter into the agreement after approval and further would receive training before getting started with launching the store.

Success Stories of FirstCry Franchisees

1. Case Study: Success Story of Franchisee in Tier-2 City

One franchisee opened his FirstCry store in a tier-2 city in Maharashtra; Ravi Sharma. Initial doubts had been expressed regarding demand, but he utilized the marketing strategies of FirstCry and various local community events to anchor his customer base. Six months down the line, his stores were raking in monthly sales figures that had initially been considered aggressive-the clarion call by FirstCry's support.

2. Testimonials

"Joining FirstCry was the best decision I made. The reputation and support from the brand have contributed well to the success of my store. I am indeed fortunate to be able to serve my community." - Priya Mehta, FirstCry Franchise.

Marketing Strategies for FirstCry Franchisees

To make your FirstCry store thrive, consider the following marketing strategies:

1. Local Marketing Initiatives

Look at opportunities on holding some events or workshop planning and hosting with a parenting seminar that helps increase brand awareness and perhaps making your store the "mother store" for parents.

2. Social Media Presence

Use social media to show products and promotions. Good content attracts more visitors to the store and makes the customers loyal to the store.

3. Collaboration with Influencers

Local parenting influencers can be joined with. Influencers would endorse the store with truthful reviews and recommendations, thereby sending out foot traffic and online sales.

Conclusion

Investment in a FirstCry retail store franchise in India with FranchiseBAZAR, in 2025 forms an opportunity that never occurs a second time for all new entrepreneurs. It is facilitated through the presence of the huge brand, massive support available and a rising consumer group. This will arm FirstCry with all the facilities required to win the game. 

Disclaimer: The brands mentioned in this blog are the recommendations provided by the author. FranchiseBAZAR does not claim to work with these brands / represent them / or are associated with them in any manner. Investors and prospective franchisees are to do their own due diligence before investing in any franchise business at their own risk and discretion. FranchiseBAZAR or its Directors disclaim any liability or risks arising out of any transactions that may take place due to the information provided in this blog.