The benefits are that you dealing with non-perishable (non food) items so the store is generally cleaner than a food franchise would be. You won't have to hire as much staff, and they often stay with you longer than if you were in the food business. With a well-trained staff, you don't always have to be at the location (absentee ownership). Most retail concepts are specialized so they offer the opportunity to develop a business in a niche market.