Launch: Hicklebee’s Bear Factory opens in Karachi

Proprietor was first rejected by company that operates in India.

Hicklebee’s Bear Factory, a UK-based business, opens its first franchise outlet in Pakistan on May 20 (today) at Park Towers shopping mall in Clifton.

At Hicklebee’s Bear Factory children and adults get to make their own customised teddy bears and other furry animals. They can choose from a large variety of skins and then stuff them in-store.

“If the children are old enough, we let them fill the stuffing themselves through the easy-to-use paddle machine,” explains Dur-e-Sameen Akhund, the proprietor of the Pakistani franchise. After that, they give their new “friend” a little heart and make a wish to bring it to life.

Guests can then personalise the bears by choosing clothes for it, naming it and getting a birth certificate for it. “A special ceremony takes place where guests take the secret Hicklebee oath to always love their new friend.” A basic bear costs Rs1,850, however, there is a promotion for the first 200 bears which will be sold for Rs1,650. “This wonderful interactive activity keeps children excited about their bears who remain their furry friends forever,” gushes Akhund.

She was inspired to bring this concept to Pakistan during her travels in Europe. “I came across this store and was fascinated by it. The throngs of children and adults waiting in long lines were a clear indication of how great a business venture this could be.”

However, finding companies that were interested in coming to Pakistan was tricky. For example, the leading brand in the market, Build-a-Bear, said that it was not interested in coming to this region even though they have a presence in India. “Finally, after a little research, I came across Hickleberry Bear Factory, a UK-based company that was interested in a franchise here,” she explained.

For now, it is a mall-based product because it needs large throngs of people, says Akhund. And so she is starting out slow, temporarily through a kiosk in Park Towers.

“We have a limited range of 20 skins right now but I’m hoping to expand soon and take the venture to Islamabad and Lahore too.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2011.