By Saksham Arora FirstCry, founded in 2010, is one of India’s largest and most recognized baby-and-kids retail brands. It offers a wide range of products — from newborn essentials and baby clothing to toys, maternity products, and kids’ gear. As the brand expands its offline retail presence alongside its online operations, many entrepreneurs are exploring FirstCry as a franchise opportunity. This article explains what it takes to open a FirstCry store in India — investment required, cost breakdown, store requirements, profit potential, and whether this franchise may be a good fit for you.
About the FirstCry Brand
FirstCry caters primarily to infants, toddlers, young children, and expectant or new mothers. The product catalogue includes baby wear, kids’ apparel, diapers and baby-care products, toys, maternity wear, kids’ accessories, feeding & nursery items, and more. The brand enjoys high consumer trust, strong brand recall, and a diversified product range — which together create steady demand and help draw consistent footfall.
Is FirstCry a Franchise or Company-Owned Model?
Yes — FirstCry offers a franchise-/partner-store model under which qualified entrepreneurs can open and run a FirstCry retail outlet under the brand name. The franchise owner manages the store operations, staff, and local compliance; the company supports with brand, supply-chain, training, and backend systems.
Total FirstCry Franchise Cost in India
The total investment required to open a FirstCry franchise store depends on store size, location and inventory level. Broadly, the typical investment ranges between ₹25 lakh to ₹50 lakh for a standard outlet. For smaller towns or leaner formats, investment may start lower — but in metro areas or high-footfall zones, it may touch the higher end.
FirstCry Franchise Cost Breakdown
Here is a realistic breakdown of where your money goes when setting up a FirstCry outlet:
- Franchise / Brand Fee (one-time): ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh
- Store Setup & Interiors / Fit-Out: ₹8 lakh to ₹15 lakh depending on size and finish
- Initial Inventory (baby & kids products, clothing, accessories, etc.): ₹8 lakh to ₹20 lakh depending on store format and product mix
- Branding, Signage & Shopfront: ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh
- Working Capital & Pre-launch Expenses: ₹5 lakh — for staff, basic supplies, stocking buffer, utilities
- Licenses, Registrations, Miscellaneous Setup Costs: ₹1 lakh to ₹4 lakh
Altogether, these costs typically add up to ₹25–50 lakh for a fully outfitted FirstCry store.
Space & Location Requirement
- Ideal store size: 1,000 to 2,000 square feet retail area.
- Best suited locations: Malls, high-street markets, busy commercial zones, or residential areas with families — places where parents and young families frequent.
- Ground-floor shops with good visibility, decent parking/entrance access, and high footfall tend to perform better.
FirstCry Franchise Profit Margin & ROI Potential
With proper location, product mix, and management, a FirstCry outlet can yield:
- Gross margins on products are healthy due to the demand for baby/kids items.
- Estimated monthly revenue: Varies with size and location — stores in good areas may see solid turnover.
- Net profit margin (after expenses) could range around 15% to 20%, depending on cost control and sales volume.
- Expected payback/break-even timeframe: Typically around 18 to 24 months, provided store is managed efficiently and footfall is good.
Because baby and kids products are recurring needs, a FirstCry store has the advantage of repeat customers — diapers, clothes, gear — which helps maintain steady demand.
FirstCry Franchise Royalty & Ongoing Charges
- FirstCry charges a one-time franchise fee at setup.
- Ongoing costs borne by franchisee include rent, utilities, staff salaries, inventory restocking, maintenance, local marketing, and statutory/compliance costs.
- Some models may include a small royalty or revenue-sharing fee — exact terms are to be discussed at the time of franchise agreement.
Support Provided by FirstCry
As a franchise partner, you get:
- Brand name and product catalogue — access to wide range of baby & kids products (clothes, gear, accessories, toys, etc.)
- Supply-chain logistics and inventory sourcing support — ensuring timely supply of stock
- Operational guidance — help with store layout, POS/billing setup, manpower, and standard procedures
- Marketing & branding support (both national-level branding and launch support for new stores)
- Training for staff and franchisee on retail operations, customer handling, and inventory management
Such support reduces the business risk compared to starting an independent baby-store from scratch.
Who Should Invest in a FirstCry Franchise?
FirstCry franchise may be suited for individuals who:
- Have capital in the range of ₹25–50 lakh ready for setup
- Can secure or lease a retail space of about 1,000–2,000 sq ft in a location with good demand (residential families, maternity hospitals, urban areas)
- Are willing to manage retail operations, staff, inventory, and customer service personally or via hired staff
- Believe in long-term retail business rather than quick returns — baby and kids retail often grows over time with repeat customers
- Are ready to follow brand guidelines, maintain standards, and focus on service quality
It may not suit those looking for very low-investment or passive income models.
Risks & Challenges to Consider
- Initial capital is moderately high — inventory cost and setup cost combine to a significant sum.
- Success depends heavily on location, demographics (young families, birth rate, maternity demand), and footfall.
- Inventory includes many SKUs — managing stock, avoiding overstock or dead stock, and demand forecasting is challenging.
- Competition: small local baby shops, other large retailers, online marketplaces including FirstCry’s own online store — can impact sales.
- Dependence on steady demand — baby/kids retail has predictable demand, but sales cycles may vary with seasons, festivals, and economic conditions.
- Operating costs: rent, utilities, staff, inventory restocking — need consistent volume to maintain profitability.
How to Apply for a FirstCry Franchise
If you are interested in starting:
- Fill the franchise enquiry/application form via FirstCry’s official franchise portal or contact their regional team
- Provide details: your proposed shop space, investment capacity, business credentials, and location preferences
- Undergo site evaluation — store location, space adequacy, demand feasibility check
- On approval, sign franchise agreement, pay franchise fee, and initiate setup (interior fit-out, inventory procurement, POS & billing setup)
- Staff hiring/training, inventory stocking, marketing & launch — then open store with brand’s backend support
FirstCry typically gives guidance through all steps till launch, helping first-time retail investors.
Conclusion
FirstCry offers a strong, brand-backed opportunity in India’s booming baby, kids, and maternity products retail market. With a total investment requirement of ₹25 lakh to ₹50 lakh, decent store space (1,000–2,000 sq ft), and support from the brand in supply and operations — it presents a solid business option for entrepreneurs focused on retail and family-oriented markets.
However, success depends heavily on location, inventory management, consistent demand, and good store operations. If you are prepared for hands-on retail management and are willing to invest the required capital, a FirstCry franchise can be a promising long-term business.