Can Apricot Lane require franchisees to carry proprietary, private-label, or exclusive merchandise?
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.
You must carry the merchandise of those vendors that we have determined consistently account for a significant amount of sales by the Stores. The products of these vendors help to shape the total image of the Stores. We reserve the right to issue specifications about the amount and variety of such merchandise you are required to carry. You will also contract directly with a visual merchandiser selected and scheduled by COUNTRY VISIONS from its approved supplier list. Typical fees range from $350 to $550 per day plus expenses.
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.
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, franchisees may be required to carry proprietary, private-label, or exclusive merchandise. The FDD states that if Country Visions, Apricot Lane's parent company, develops any proprietary items, private-label, or exclusive merchandise for the Apricot Lane marks, they can require franchisees to carry it. Apricot Lane may be the designated supplier or may designate another supplier for these items.
Furthermore, if Country Visions or anyone they authorize develops private-label or exclusive merchandise, whether or not under the Apricot Lane marks, franchisees must carry it and keep a representative selection of the products at all times. This gives Apricot Lane significant control over the merchandise offered in the stores.
Apricot Lane also reserves the right to issue specifications about the amount and variety of merchandise franchisees are required to carry from vendors that consistently account for a significant amount of sales by the stores. They can also 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 them. This allows Apricot Lane to maintain a consistent brand image and control over the products sold in its franchise locations.