With annual temperatures going up to 31°C and an annual humidity level of 80%, it’s little wonder that flip flops are a staple in many a Singaporean’s shoe collection. Aside from the humidity, flip flops are popular as they are essentially the most comfortable type of slip-on you can wear. They are also versatile as you can wear them all day, for a poolside party or even some offices with relaxed dress codes.
However, have you stopped to wonder how much they actually cost to make and whether you are overpaying for them? Although you might roughly know that flip flops are overpriced, the actual amount might shock you.
Thus, we are here to shed some light on the situation, telling you more about the flip flop market, revealing to you how much an average flip flop actually cost and the markups on them.
The Flip Flop Market
Any conversation about Flip Flops cannot be had without mentioning Havaianas, the premium flip flop brand manufacturer from Brazil. It’s not a stretch to say that Havaianas are the world’s most popular flip flops, as over 200 million pairs of flip flops are sold each year. The brand has become so popular that people in Brazil have come to refer to flip flops as ‘Havaianas’ in Brazil.
According to Havaianas, all Havaianas flip flops are produced in Brazil with:
“One Havaianas factory is located in Campina Grande, the second most populous city in the state of Paraiba, with approximately 385,000 inhabitants, and a second factory opened in 2013 in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais.”
This is also part of the reason why Brazil is the third largest manufacturer of shoes in the world with a whopping 834 million pairs of shoes manufactured in the country in 2014. This places Brazil as the third largest producer of footwear in the world only behind China and India. The rest of the world’s flip flops are either made in China or India which brings down the cost of production considerably.
How Much do Flip Flops Actually Cost?
Speaking of cost of production, how much do these flip flops actually cost? We will be looking at three different manufacturers to get a rough gauge.
Although Havaianas have not officially announced the cost price of their flip flops, we can roughly ascertain how much an average pair of flip flops from Brazil costs.
Yahoo answers user Cisne, uncovered an advertisement on QueBarato the leading classifieds platform in Brazil which put the price of an average pair of Havaianas at R$6.00 or S$2.16 per 1000 units for the most basic model.
For a pair of flip flops in China, you are looking at an average price of around S$2.70 to S$4.05 for a pair of flip flops.
At IUIGA, We believe you have the right to know how much quality truly costs. We show you what it costs us to make these products, and then our markups. Everything is completely transparent as IUIGA reveals the true cost of quality to you.
Our IUIGA exclusive manufacturer provides us premium quality flip flops at a cost of S$3.31 per pair of flip flops.
The Unisex Flip Flops come in Pink, Grey, and Black.
These flip flops are made from high-grade polyethylene and rubber that is treated to be more twist and stretch resistant. Also, these flip flops are thicker than average with the 0.76mm foam providing extra cushion and durability. The top of the flip flop has a textured design for comfort while the bottom has an anti-slip design and texture. Way better than anything you can get at this price.
Flip-Flop Markups
Markups in the footwear industry are as varied as the staggering variety of sizes and styles available. Most trainers or sports shoes carry a 100% mark-up, while high fashion shoes you find at boutique stores can be marked up by as much as 500%.
The flip flops from premium brands like Havaianas start at around $23 for the basic flip flop. That’s a 700% markup on each pair of flip flops! Don’t even get us started on the more expensive collections, which can go up to $55 for a pair of flip flops.
At the end of the day, how you spend your money is up to your discretion. But we hope that this article has opened your eyes to how much a pair of flip flops actually costs and the many markups a pair of flip flops have.
New to IUIGA? Check out our extensive range of thoughtfully designed premium quality home and lifestyle essentials Don’t say bojio, new customers get $15 off their first purchase.
Use code NEW15 at checkout (Terms & Conditions Apply).
