São Paulo – The Amazonas Sandals, whose creations are based on concepts of sustainability, design and comfort, were focused on the international market from the start. The sandals, a product of traditional shoe part manufacturer Amazonas Group, hit the market in June at the Pitti Immagine fair in Florence, Italy. After having featured in trade shows in the United Kingdom and United States, the sandals were introduced to the Brazilian public at an event in São Paulo this Thursday (1st). The Arab market is also under the company’s aim.
“The project took over three years to develop,” says Ariano Novaes, the Marketing director with Grupo Amazonas. “Our entry into the international market was demand-based. We realized that right now, the foreign market is much more receptive to a line of sustainable products such as ours,” explains the executive.
Sandals by Amazonas are made from biodegradable material that takes five years to decompose after being disposed of. Four lines of the product have been developed, some using expanded rubber (higher soles) and others using compacted rubber (lower soles). The compacted rubber models are also made from recycled materials.
Novaes also highlights product design as a strong point of the brand’s. “Our idea was offering a sandal unlike those available on the market by offering a more doll-like line, a product with a more romantic, feminine quality to it.”
The company already operates with distributors in countries such as Australia, Canada, Mexico, France, England, Spain, Portugal and Japan. In the Arab world, the plan is to break in through Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
“We are interested in the Arabs. It is a great market that boasts a high rate of consumption of sandals. The aim is to go to a fair in Dubai, so we can reach all of the Arab countries and start operating in those markets,” says Frederico Pucci, the International Sales executive with the company.
Pucci is betting on the group’s name and the product concept to win the international market. “Firstly, the name Amazonas is immediately reminiscent of Brazil. Secondly, the sandal’s fully sustainable, eco-friendly concept is innovative and highly regarded,” he says.
The executive claims that it is still early to discuss sales expectations. “We are getting a feel for the market right now. Amazonas is internationally known as a shoe part manufacturer. There are also many people who are not familiar with the brand Amazonas, but already wear it. We need to introduce the brand, and the path to that is a longer one,” he explains.
In addition to the Emirates, Pucci also regards another country as a gateway into the Arab countries. “Saudi Arabia is one of the Arab world’s top shoe buying countries. Logically, we want to reach all Middle Eastern and North African countries, but in the short run we will focus on the Saudi and Emirati markets.”
In Brazil, Amazonas Sandals will be available as of late September. Product distribution will start from the states of São Paulo, Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. Prices should range from 19.90 reals (US$ 12,50) to 39.90 reals (US$ 25,00). The sandals will be manufactured at plants in Franca, in the state of São Paulo, and João Pessoa, in the state of Paraíba, at a total of 1.5 million pairs per month, including men’s and women’s models.
Contact
Amazonas Sandals (Amazonas Group)
Frederico Pucci
Telephone: (+55 83) 9922-8876
E-mail: pucci@antaresglobaltrade.com
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
