Brazilian premium footwear brand Havaianas is planning to strengthen its foothold in the Indian market by increasing the retail points across the country.
The company, known for its vibrant range of flip-flops, will add 40 kiosks in high street locations all over the country and also increase its presence in departmental stores like Shoppers Stop
“Havaianas is a premium brand and is well known amongst people who are well travelled. But we will scale up our distribution and marketing to make the brand more familiar with the Indian customers. India is a priority market for the company,” AP Group CEO Ivana Perovic told PTI.
AP Group is the sole distributor for the brand in the country.
Havaianas entered into the Indian market in July 2012. “We have been very selective with distribution during our first year of operation. Now will will begin expansion,” Perovic added.
The company at present has 1 kiosk in Delhi and 20 points of sales in the country. It will open two more kiosks in Mumbai and Bangalore soon.
Havaianas, which refused to share the investment it has made in India so far and the turnover during first year of operation, said it is targeting sales of 1 million units of its footwear in five years of operation.
“I do not wish to share numbers right now but we are looking at selling 1 million units in five years,” Perovic added.
The company will also expand its product range and introduce high-end products for the Indian customers. All Havaianas products are currently imported into the country from Brazil.