If Apricot Lane develops proprietary items, private-label, or exclusive merchandise, can Apricot Lane be the designated supplier?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If we develop any proprietary items, private-label or exclusive merchandise for the APRICOT LANE Marks, we can require you to carry it and we may be the designated supplier or may designate another supplier.
If COUNTRY VISIONS or anyone we authorize develops private-label or exclusive merchandise, whether or not under the Marks, you must carry it and keep a representative selection of the products at all times.
We may establish and modify in our sole discretion standards and specifications regarding the merchandise that may be carried and the services that may be provided from the Franchised Business, including approved vendors and the type, brand, amount and variety of merchandise to be carried. You must abide by all such standards and specifications. We can in our sole discretion require you to discontinue offering for sale any merchandise or services not specifically approved by COUNTRY VISIONS or the merchandise of any vendor specifically approved by COUNTRY VISIONS.
You must purchase certain specified products and services from us (or our affiliates), including software, web marketing, the gift card program, store merchandise, visual merchandise, supplies, and certain construction and improvement activities from our approved suppliers. COUNTRY VISIONS does not permit you to contract with suppliers outside of our approved suppliers.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 17–20)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if Apricot Lane develops any proprietary items, private-label, or exclusive merchandise for the Apricot Lane Marks, they can require franchisees to carry it and may be the designated supplier or may designate another supplier. This means that Apricot Lane has the right to be the sole provider of these specific goods, or they can choose another vendor to fulfill this role.
Apricot Lane franchisees are obligated to carry private-label or exclusive merchandise developed by Country Visions or anyone they authorize, whether or not under the Apricot Lane Marks, and must keep a representative selection of these products at all times. This ensures consistency across all Apricot Lane stores and helps maintain the brand's image.
The FDD also states that Apricot Lane may establish and modify standards and specifications regarding the merchandise that may be carried, including approved vendors and the type, brand, amount, and variety of merchandise. Franchisees must abide by all such standards and specifications. Apricot Lane can also require franchisees to discontinue offering for sale any merchandise or services not specifically approved by Country Visions or the merchandise of any vendor specifically approved by Country Visions. This gives Apricot Lane significant control over the products sold in the stores.
Furthermore, franchisees must purchase certain specified products and services from Apricot Lane (or its affiliates), including software, web marketing, the gift card program, store merchandise, visual merchandise, supplies, and certain construction and improvement activities from approved suppliers. Country Visions does not permit franchisees to contract with suppliers outside of their approved list. This reinforces Apricot Lane's control over sourcing and ensures franchisees adhere to their established standards.