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Havaianas flip-flop brand sold in $1bn deal | Havaianas flip-flop brand sold in $1bn deal |
(35 minutes later) | |
The maker of Havaianas - perhaps the world's most famous brand of flip-flops - has been sold for $1.1bn ($850m). | The maker of Havaianas - perhaps the world's most famous brand of flip-flops - has been sold for $1.1bn ($850m). |
The Brazilian label has been highly successful at home and internationally, with about 200 million pairs of the footwear sold every year. | The Brazilian label has been highly successful at home and internationally, with about 200 million pairs of the footwear sold every year. |
Alpargatas, the firm behind the brand, was owned by the scandal-hit J&F group, which manages the fortune of the billionaire Batista family. | Alpargatas, the firm behind the brand, was owned by the scandal-hit J&F group, which manages the fortune of the billionaire Batista family. |
It is being bought by three prominent Brazilian banking groups. | |
Thongs and jandals | Thongs and jandals |
The sale of Sao Paulo-based Alpargatas was widely expected, and is part of J&F's strategy to offload businesses after it was involved in a series of corruption scandals. | The sale of Sao Paulo-based Alpargatas was widely expected, and is part of J&F's strategy to offload businesses after it was involved in a series of corruption scandals. |
It is understood proceeds from the sale - to Cambuhy Investimentos, Itaúsa Investimentos and the fund Brasil Warrant - will help repay debt and go towards fines of more than $3bn the company has been hit with. | It is understood proceeds from the sale - to Cambuhy Investimentos, Itaúsa Investimentos and the fund Brasil Warrant - will help repay debt and go towards fines of more than $3bn the company has been hit with. |
Flip-flops are known as thongs in Australia, jandals in New Zealand, slops in South Africa and slippers in parts of Asia. | Flip-flops are known as thongs in Australia, jandals in New Zealand, slops in South Africa and slippers in parts of Asia. |
But in Brazil - and elsewhere - they are commonly referred to by the brand name Havaianas. | But in Brazil - and elsewhere - they are commonly referred to by the brand name Havaianas. |
Famed for their colourful designs and association with the Brazilian beach-lifestyle, the company has also benefitted from celebrity association. | Famed for their colourful designs and association with the Brazilian beach-lifestyle, the company has also benefitted from celebrity association. |
Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez and Sienna Miller are among the stars who have been pictured wearing them. | Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez and Sienna Miller are among the stars who have been pictured wearing them. |
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