Bibi, a children’s footwear franchise, is currently in a robust expansion process, both in the Brazilian and international markets. With an ambitious plan, the company plans to open 20 new stores by the end of this year, 10 of which will be international. This movement is part of a larger strategy to reach the milestone of 100 operations outside Brazil by 2030.
A participant in Franchising Brasil — a sector internationalization program carried out through a partnership between the Brazilian Franchising Association (ABF) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) —, Bibi recently opened its third licensed unit in Guatemala, in Central America, in November 2023, bringing the total number of international operations to 21.
Bibi’s internationalization strategy involves the careful selection of commercial partners who already have experience in exporting footwear in target countries, ensuring a more effective implementation of physical stores. These partners, many of whom have already collaborated with the brand for more than two decades, demonstrate a strong identification with Bibi’s culture and values, initially as distributors and now as investors in franchise models.
With a strong base of operations in Brazil, where it is recognized as the largest children’s footwear chain in the country, Bibi is positioned to continue its trajectory of growth, both physical and digital. The company already has a consolidated e-commerce channel and a mobile application that boosts its online sales, responding to changes in consumer purchasing behavior.
In an interview with the Brazilian retail news website Mercado e Consumo, Andrea Kohlrausch, president of Bibi, expressed her satisfaction with the brand’s growing recognition beyond Brazilian borders, not only through exports, but also with the opening of physical stores in important international commercial centers.
“Bibi’s strategic growth in the international market is an inspiring example of how Brazilian brands can successfully expand globally”, says Bruno Amado, executive manager of Franchising Brasil. “By focusing on solid partnerships and adapting to local needs, Bibi not only strengthens its international presence, but also promotes the positive image of the Brazilian franchising sector,” he concludes.
About Franchising Brasil
Franchising Brasil is a project that aims to support the internationalization strategy of Brazilian franchise networks and their commercial promotion in the main international markets. The initiative is a partnership between ABF and ApexBrasil, which works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy through trade promotion actions. To participate, simply download and fill out the membership form available on the website and send it to [email protected].
About ABF
Founded in 1987, the Brazilian Franchising Association (ABF) is a non-profit entity that officially represents the Brazilian franchise system. Its mission is to defend, promote and foster the sector, nationally and internationally, so that it remains prosperous, sustainable, innovative, inclusive and ethical. With more than 35 years of history, ABF enjoys great prestige and a consolidated image in the market, being also the headquarters of the Ibero-American Franchise Federation (FIAF), leader of the World Franchise Council (WFC) Task Force, member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and responsible for the largest franchise fair in the world, the ABF Franchising Expo.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve its objectives, ApexBrasil carries out diversified trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and commercial missions, business rounds, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits of foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian production structure among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazil brand. The Agency also works in a coordinated manner with public and private actors to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors for developing the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country.