4 minute read
“I LIKED THE GIN SO MUCH I JOINED THE COMPANY”
New retail franchise Blackwell Trading Post launches with the backing and expertise of franchise veteran, Mike Pero.
When Mike Pero sold his real estate interests in 2019 and retired, he didn’t expect to return to business so quickly. The man who pioneered mortgage brokering in New Zealand with Mike Pero Mortgages in 1990, says he just couldn’t resist Blackwell Trading Post. “It was an opportunity too good to miss.”
Initially Mike was invited to advise the Greytown Gin Distillery board. Instead, he asked to become a stakeholder after seeing the business model developed by Adam Blackwell, Gavin Hodder and Peter Warren. “I’ve seen a lot of business ideas,” says the former Apprentice Aotearoa CEO. “Greytown Distilling Company has created an award-winning gin, the world’s best marketing and a brilliant franchise model.”
The brand plan
Mike Pero and his fellow shareholders formed the Blackwell Trading Post brand in January 2025 and together they launched a plan to roll out Blackwell Trading Posts nationwide. While the Trading Posts will stock Greytown Gin, they’ll carry the Blackwell name. “Adam Blackwell created a now famous retail store in Greytown where the gin is currently sold and our new Trading Posts will continue the unique store branding elements from the original,” explains Mike.
“Customers can try before they buy, with complimentary tastings at every store,” he says. The goal: more than 60 locations across New Zealand.
The gin appeal
Gin is booming globally, appealing to both younger and older consumers, and Greytown Gin is leading that charge, winning two Gold Medals at the 2024 Paris Gin Awards. Alongside gin, the stores will carry premium vodka, whiskey and other craft spirits.
The Trading Post concept is modelled on the flagship gin store in Greytown, which opened in December 2022. Despite being just eight square metres and located in a small town of fewer than 3,000 people, the store has performed exceptionally well. “It’s not on a main highway, but people go out of their way to buy Greytown Gin,” says Mike. “We offer ten unique variants, and online enquiries are growing fast, including huge numbers of requests from Australia.”
The full-service franchise
The franchise business also offers an appealing lifestyle. “It’s a cruisy setup – open at 10am, with seven hours of engaging with tourists and locals,” notes Mike. Perfect for those who may want to back off from full time but still want the corporate-style income.
Franchise options include a compact nine square metre boutique (ideal for shared retail space like cafés, lifestyle stores, etc.) and a full-scale 50+ square metre store offering merchandise and accessories.
Mike sees the ideal franchisee as a mature, communicative couple, capable of obtaining their license under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, supported by two part-time casuals. Total turn-key costs, including fees, fit-out, stock and plant, are from as little as $170,000. Mike adds, “The ROI is significant.”
You’ll see Blackwell Trading Posts opening across the nation from August. “They’re what I refer to as ‘full-service franchises’– by this I am meaning, as the franchisor, we’ll do all the backroom work and the stuff that business owners and salespeople often can’t be bothered with. That will include stock control, ordering, accounting and various other specialist roles,” says Mike.
“If you’re keen to know more about a Blackwell Trading post franchise, then first we’d like you to enter into a Confidentiality Agreement. You can apply via the link below and this way we will agree from the start to treat each other’s information in absolute confidence.
“Contact us now if you would like to be in on the ground floor of this exciting new retail franchise opportunity.”
The franchise veteran
Mike brings serious franchise experience to Blackwell Trading Post. He franchised Mike Pero Mortgages in 1995, grew it to over 40 locations, and in 2003 won Supreme Franchise of the Year at the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards. He later launched the Flight Experience (Boeing 737) simulator franchises around the world and built a nationwide real estate brand with 62 offices in six years. Now, with over 100 franchise sales under his belt, he’s off to set a new personal record with Blackwell Trading Post – bigger, better and another iconic Kiwi brand.
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