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Buenos Aires Barbie Store Has New Franchisees Thinking Pink (and Green)

On February 3, 2012, In arts & entertainment, franchises, lifestyle, tourism, by InvestBA
Barbie Store Buenos Aires

Having conquered Buenos Aires, Barbie is looking to go out with new suitors and franchisees.

The first official Barbie Store in the world opened in Buenos Aires in 2007 aimed at winning the hearts of girls aged 3-12 and simultaneously the credit cards of doting parents. The first location in Palermo was such a hit, a second location opened in BA’s Unicenter Galleria. Barbie then grabbed her passport and flew her pink G5 to Mexico City, Lima and Montevideo to open her first stores outside of Argentina.

Now the BA-based team behind the Barbie Store is ready to replicate their unique concept of “fashiontainment” around the globe using a franchise model. According to Rosario’s ON24, the store’s target market is young girls but many times the mothers are the ones who are the most excited about at trip to the Barbie Store which features dolls, clothing, merchandise aimed at adults, the House of Barbie, and a Beauty Salon for manicures and pedicures.

The Montevideo store which opened in 2011 was the first Barbie Store franchise, and now the founders are eyeing expansion to the interior of Argentina. “The brand has established itself as leader in fashion for girls, and the business model is mature enough that we can grow it in smaller formats across the country, without neglecting the concept of retail experience that makes our stores unique,” explains Pebly Garica, CEO of Barbie Stores.

Opening a 1,000 to 2,000 square foot Barbie Store franchise requires an initial investment of approximately US$150,000 to $200,000 including store furnishings, initial inventory and working capital for the first 6 months. (Full Story in Spanish)

For more information about franchise opportunities in Argentina and Uruguay, download the new issue of InvestBA Privada.

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VanityBA: A Healthy Outlook for Luxury Spas and Wellness Tourism in Argentina

On February 2, 2012, In lifestyle, medical tourism, tourism, vanityba, by InvestBA
Luxury Spas in Buenos Aires

Guests enjoying the steam room at Le Spa, the rooftop oasis at the Algodon Mansion in Buenos Aires.

Wellness tourism is on the rise in Argentina as more hotels and resorts adapt to foreign visitor demands for Aromatherapy, Chromatherapy, Hot Stones, Thai Massage and Herbal Treatments. From the finest Buenos Aires hotels to rural retreats in tranquil settings like Bariloche, Iguazu, and Mendoza, new spas are opening while existing spas are adding innovative face and body treatments to their menus.

According to TUR Noticias, 87% of the treatments in Argentina use water as the essential cleansing element while others incorporate clay, algae, wine and mud, one of the healthiest components of spa therapies when it comes from the correct source and is used appropriately. Most high-end spas in Argentina have qualified directors who oversee spa quality controls and tailor treatments to the needs of each client.

Industry officials at the 2011 European Medical Travel Conference said Health & Wellness Tourism generates US$100 billion annually and predicted 100% growth over the next decade, making it one of the travel industry’s fastest-growing segments. Luxury spas and unique treatments in Argentina include everything from Jungle Mist in Buenos Aires to chocolate baths in Iguazu to hydromassages in Villa La Angostura and crushed Malbec scrubs in Mendoza. (Full Story in Spanish)

For more information about wellness tourism in Argentina and Uruguay, download the new issue of InvestBA Privada.

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February Brings Bargains, Rental Vacancies in Punta del Este, Rocha Beaches

On February 1, 2012, In lifestyle, real estate, tourism, uruguay, by InvestBA
Maldonado Real Estate

Rental bargains abound in Punta del Este and the surrounding beaches in February.

Like New York hotels in December or Augusta single-family homes in early April, condo and home rental rates usually double or triple in Punta del Este and the surrounding beaches during the month of January. Property owners capitalize on the fact that most Argentines and Brazilians take their vacations in January, but all that insanity of overcrowded beaches, hotels and restaurants fades on February 1.

The annual “recambio” (refill) of properties typically begins today; however, local brokers tell El País that rental vacancies are way up and demand from this currency-controlled side of the Rio de la Plata is way down. So good news for greenback-toting foreign tourists. If you ever wanted a beachside bargain, this is your lucky year.

While January is a sure thing, the first two weeks of February are make or break time for Uruguay coastal property owners, and the president of the Maldonado Real Estate Chamber sums up the willingness of owners to negotiate. “There are very few requests for the first two weeks of February,” says Juan Francisco Bistiancic who describes local brokers as “very worried.” Translation: There are so many vacant units, you can toss the listing price out the window and simply make an offer.

According to El País, US$3,000 will get you a three-bedroom home close to the beach or US$1,800 for a two-bedroom condominium in Punta del Este for the entire month of February. OK, so maybe you won’t get to go clubbing with Guetta and Zuckerberg this year, but with the money you’ll save, you can open your own boliche . (Full Story in Spanish)

For more information about Punta del Este property rentals, contact us directly.

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VanityBA: Algodon Mansion First BA Hotel Named to Relais & Châteaux Collection

On January 27, 2012, In creative class, foreign investment, lifestyle, real estate, tourism, us companies, vanityba, wine & vineyards, by InvestBA

From Gotham With Love. That’s how we summed up our initial impression of the Algodon Mansion in last summer’s issue of InvestBA Privada. Now it seems the hotel that redefined the luxury category in Buenos Aires has joined one of the most exclusive clubs of hoteliers, chefs and restaurateurs. Algodon Mansion is the first and only Buenos Aires hotel to become a member of the Relais & Chateaux Collection.

According to Relais & Chateaux, ”The hotel’s 1912 French classical landmark building has been impeccably restored and re-imagined with stylish contemporary elegance. Attended by 24-hour butlers, each of the 10 suites overlooks the shady residential street as well as an exquisite interior light-well and waterfall cascading into the lobby. Rooms are exceptionally spacious and offer superior amenities and comfort. The restaurant, Chez Nous, reinterprets traditional regional dishes, taking Argentine gastronomy to a new level.”

According to Travel Pulse, “Chez Nous becomes only the second Buenos Aires restaurant to join the Relais & Chateaux Collection.” The Algodon Wines featured at Chez Nous also received their share of accolades this month when Robert Parker’s Argentina Wine Ratings were released. The 2008 Algodon Malbec received a “91″ and the 2008 Algodon Bonarda received a “90.”

For more information about luxury hotels, fine dining and shopping in Buenos Aires, download the new issue of InvestBA Privada.

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InvestBA Private Wealth Missions To Buenos Aires & Mendoza Return

On January 25, 2012, In arts & entertainment, buenos aires events, entrepreneurs, foreign investment, lifestyle, real estate, tourism, by InvestBA
InvestBA Private Wealth Missions

InvestBA Private Wealth Missions unite individual investors in Buenos Aires and Mendoza.

“My wife and I are very grateful to you for exposing us to Argentina”

“We were both amazed at the quality of life in general, in both Buenos Aires and Mendoza.”

“My wife, 6-year-old daughter and I had an incredible time from the moment we arrived!”

“We recently took our first trip to Argentina and had one of the best trips we’ve ever had, and we’ve travelled to five other continents!”

Those are just a few of the testimonials from foreign investors who have joined us for the InvestBA Private Wealth Missions, our annual series of discovery trips in Argentina. The testimonials above were all from U.S. citizens, many of them making their first trip to the Southern Cone of South America.

We launched our Private Wealth Missions in 2008 as a way to introduce small groups of private investors from different countries to the natural beauty, phenomenal growth story and untapped opportunities that await in one of the safest and most livable countries in the Western Hemisphere. In 2012, inbound PWM trips include weeks dedicated to investors from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and Western Europe.

The 2012 Private Wealth Mission brochure sets the table for Argentina investment opportunities, explains the Private Wealth Mission concept in greater detail and hopefully encourages you and your family to join us for one of our upcoming Private Wealth Missions in 2012. For more information about PWM pricing and availability, simply fill-out the request form.

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