Flip Flop Shops® Expands Its Retail Success and Signature "Free Your Toes" Passion into South Africa

ATLANTA, Feb. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of announcing expansion plans in the Middle East, Flip Flop Shops® today announced plans to establish and develop 25 additional shops throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mauritius. The shop development is part of a master franchise agreement with Barefoot, an experienced retail group in the region. The first Flip Flop Shops location is expected to open by mid-year, with additional shops opening throughout the region over the next 10 years.

"The global footwear market is a nearly $200 billion industry, and the growth within the flip flops and casual footwear segment is explosive," said Brian Curin, the President and Co-Founder of Flip Flop Shops (size 10). "Flip Flop Shops' continued expansion into new international markets, including Canada, the Caribbean, the Middle East and now South Africa, is proof positive that consumers worldwide are looking to embrace the lifestyle benefits of more relaxed, casual footwear."

One of the fastest growing retail chains in North America, Flip Flop Shops encourages everyone to "Live… Work…Play With Their Toes Exposed®." The franchise-based company is the first retailer of its kind devoted exclusively to the latest styles of flip flops and casual footwear from the world's hottest brands, including Quiksilver, ROXY, SANUK, OluKai and more. Its mission is to help people "Free Their Toes®" and embrace the relaxing benefits of flip flops and casual footwear for healthier, low stress living.

With a proven retail track record, the South African-based development group, has worked with some of the biggest brand names in the South African region, including Timberland.

"We have an incredibly strong retail market in South Africa, and we are excited to be adding such a successful and marketable concept as Flip Flop Shops to our portfolio," said a company representative.

Flip Flop Shops operates nearly 100 locations globally, and has more than 150 shops in the development pipeline, not including those within this new master franchise agreement. The company's explosive growth and expansion has greatly helped mature the flip flops and casual footwear industry segment into a year-round contender. In 2013, Flip Flop Shops was named to the Inc. 500 | 5,000 list of the fastest growing private companies in the U.S. for the fourth year running, boasting 860-percent growth in the last three years alone.

"The strength of the retail market in South Africa and the local culture of the region are a perfect fit for the Flip Flop Shops brand," explains Darin Kraetsch, the CEO of Flip Flop Shops (size 10). "As we continue to grow our global reach, we're actively seeking markets that support both our fiscal and our lifestyle goals, and the South African market does both."

"With our new master franchisee, we have a partner that knows the market, has a deep network in the region and strong retail experience.  Flip Flop Shops couldn't be in a better position for success in South Africa," adds Curin.

About Flip Flop Shops
Founded in 2004, Flip Flop Shops is the authentic retail chain exclusively devoted to the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and casual footwear.  Its mission is to help people "Free Their Toes®" and embrace the relaxing benefits of flip flops and casual footwear for a healthier, low stress lifestyle. In addition to being an Environmentally Responsible Retailer™, one of the company's major initiatives is the Heart to Sole: Creating a Stress-Free America campaign, designed to reduce stress levels, improve heart health and support the American Heart Association.

The company began franchising in 2008 and now operates more than 100 shops globally with 150-plus in the worldwide development pipeline. The executive team boasts more than 50 years of experience building and growing some of the world's fastest-growing franchise concepts, category leaders and some of the world's most well-known brands, including Cold Stone Creamery, Moe's Southwest Grill, Nike and OfficeZilla.com. Flip Flop Shops has been awarded the International Council of Shopping Centers' prestigious "Hot Retailer Award," and ranked eighth among franchise in the 2013 Inc. 500 | 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies. For more information visit www.flipflopshops.com.

SOURCE Flip Flop Shops

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