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Today, Havaianas is a global lifestyle brand, and its products can be found in thousands of points of sale around the world. But this international acclaim hasn’t caused the concept to lose its Brazilian roots; with the original Havaianas footwear dating back to 1962.
From humble origins to global prestige
Havaianas is credited with creating the original rubber flip flop, having filed a patent for this now ubiquitous design back in 1966. At that time, the brand primarily sold a white-soled flip flop with a colored strap; a design that is just as recognizable today as it was over fiveand- a-half decades ago.
In the 1990s, Havaianas started noticing a trend that would become instrumental in the future of its design direction. Brazilian beach-goers were turning their white soles downward and reversing the straps of their Havaianas flip flops, thus creating a colorful shoe that was as striking as it was comfortable. As such, the Havaianas Top was born – a range that now features 20 different colors, worn by millions of customers around the world.
It’s this sense of community and innovation that has driven the brand over its many years of success, and is what Havaianas is looking for in franchise partners that will further expand its portfolio into exciting new markets worldwide.
“It’s this sense of community and innovation that has driven the brand over its many years of success, and is what Havaianas is looking for in franchise partners that will further expand its portfolio into exciting new markets worldwide”
More than flip flops
The Havaianas name is closely associated with premium, comfortable footwear, but the brand has branched out over the years to include an entire portfolio of beloved retail products, that its customers wear in a variety of settings.
Throughout the 2000s, for example, Havaianas launched a variety of new shoes and accessories, and in 2014, the brand stepped into a new world with the launch of its casual clothing line. All throughout this period, Havaianas worked with artists, designers, and other beloved fashion brands on a whole host of exciting collaborations that opened up Havaianas to an entirely new audience.
But through all of this evolution and growth, its core product – the iconic rubber flip flop – has endured. In fact, 94 per cent of Brazilians either own, or have owned a pair of Havaianas themselves.
This is because the Havaianas name is open, democratic, and 100 per cent welcoming. Everybody wears it, and there’s a lot of room for improvisation.
A lifestyle brand
Havaianas is known for its eclectic mix of eye-catching retail products, but the brand itself is interested in much more than offering just a storefront. It’s looking to become a lifestyle brand; a mainstay in its customers’ lives that encompasses everything that they look for in their clothing and accessories.
As such, the business is built on six fundamental beliefs:
- Energy: All products exude joy, color, and freedom
- Design: Havaianas is an intelligent combination of form and function
- Style: Products that can serve as a basis to express individual style
- Comfort: Products that are pleasant to wear and generate a sense of wellbeing
- Value: All Havaianas products last a long time, and represent excellent value for money
- Universality: The brand is for all, and as inclusive as can be.
Naturally, Havaianas is looking for franchise partners that embody these six beliefs, and can adeptly represent the brand within their respective market.
“From the beaches of Brazil to the bustling city life of London or Paris, Havaianas is perfectly suited for a wide variety of retail spaces”
Join an international legacy
From the beaches of Brazil to the bustling city life of London or Paris, Havaianas is perfectly suited for a wide variety of retail spaces. In the U.K., for example, Havaianas kiosks can be found in airports and shopping centers, as well as standalone retail units that attract customers with colorful designs and reliable quality.
Much like the consumer-driven origins of many of Havaianas’ iconic products, its franchise opportunity is led by the passion and ambition of a franchisee. Havaianas flip flops, sunglasses, and accessories are proven to appeal to customers all over the globe, so no matter what kind of investment a franchisee makes, they can rest assured that their respective locations are built on a legacy lasting more than 50 years.
Sustainability at the forefront
Today’s consumers are looking for an organization that meets their eco-friendly needs, as well as one that provides a premium service or product alongside saving the planet.
Havaianas is working toward a sustainable future for the brand, and has worked with NGOs such as the Ipê Institute and Conservation International for over 10 years; organizations that work on preserving the oceans and environment.
It’s incorporating this sense of sustainability into its current programs, too, such as the 2021 ‘Takeback Scheme’, which saw over 5,000 flip flops collected for recycling purposes.
If you’re interested in joining a legacy brand that has proven success around the world, and shows no signs of stopping its continued growth, then make sure to get in touch with a member of the Havaianas team today.
At a Glance Havaianas
Established: 1962
Number of franchised outlets: 150 (EMEIA), 870 (International)
Location of units: U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Bulgaria, Balkans, Morocco, Algeria, Israel, U.A.E., Nigeria, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, India
Investment range: €>70,000
Minimum required capital: €100,000
Contact: franchise.emeia@alpargatas.com
