Hot Concept, Flip Flop Shops, Partners with award-winning Specialty Online Retailer, Ritz Interactive
Joint Venture Facilitates Much Anticipated Online Launch for Retail Franchise
Irvine– Flip Flop Shops and Ritz Interactive announce a partnership that introduces the innovative retail franchise to the online shopping community as FlipFlopShops.com. The new online shop, like its brick and mortar sibling, Flip Flop Shops with the cult-like following, will offer all of today’s hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals from big names such as REEF, Sanuk, Flojos, VANS, havaianas, OluKai, Cobian and O’NEILL.
“We’re stoked to bring our ‘Free Your Toes’ mentality to the online world with Ritz Interactive,” says Brian Curin, the President (Size 10) of Flip Flop Shops. “The launch of FlipFlopShops.com will allow us to bring even more of the hottest brands and latest styles to those customers that don’t have a shop near them…yet.”
After a 15.4 percent year-over-year increase in online sales for 2010, brick and mortar retailers recognize the importance of establishing an online shopping presence, especially for early stage companies whose brands have the potential to compete with established retailers. Hoping to take advantage of the growth of e-tailing, not only at the desktop but through increasing smart phone and tablet adoption, Flip Flop Shops enlisted the support of industry veteran, Ritz Interactive, to facilitate an easy to navigate online experience for the franchise concept. Led by its flagship sites RitzCamera.com, WolfCamera.com and Boatersworld.com, Ritz Interactive powers a diverse group of properties in different stages of growth, making it the perfect choice for Flip Flop Shops.
“As a brand with unrivaled consumer appeal, Flip Flop Shops clearly fits with our family of renowned online retail shops,” notes Fred Lerner, the co-founder, president, CEO, and director (Size 11) of Ritz Interactive, Inc. “We have watched Flip Flop Shops grow from a one-store experience to a concept that is sweeping the nation, and we are excited to be a part of its venture into the e-commerce world. The brand has quite a bright future.”
"We've been strategic about our growth with highly qualified franchisees, and we've taken that same thoughtful approach in selecting the right e-commerce partner," said Darin Kraetsch, the CEO (Size 10) of Flip Flop Shops. "With limitless boundaries we are primed to give even more people around the world the chance to 'Live...Work...Play With Their Toes Exposed ' while wearing the freedom of flip flops on their feet...this will be an epic launch."
The online retail shop will offer 24-hour customer support, seven days a week via e-mail, chat and telephone. It also offers remarkable scalability. Flip Flop Shops is on pace to double its presence around the globe in the next six to nine months, with more than 90 shops open and in its development pipeline. As it grows, the online retail shop will grow with it.
About Flip Flop Shops
Founded in 2004, Flip Flop Shops is North America’s first retail chain exclusive to the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals from big names such as REEF, Sanuk, Flojos, VANS, havaianas, OluKai, Cobian, and O’NEILL. The recipient of the International Council of Shopping Centers’ prestigious “Hot Retailer Award,” Flip Flop Shops began franchising in January 2008. Flip Flop Shops is an Environmentally Responsible Retailer™ and encourages the nation to Free Their Toes®. The executive team boasts more than 50 years of franchise 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 and Nike. With more than 35 shops currently operating and 50-plus in development, the company plans to open 236 shops by 2013. For more franchise opportunity information, visit www.flipflopshops.com.
About Ritz Interactive, Inc.
Ritz Interactive is an award-winning, specialty online retailer and e-commerce service provider that operates a network of websites offering high quality, branded lifestyle products. Since its inception in Irvine, California in 1999, the company has become a leader in providing a full selection of photographic and consumer electronics products as well as a wide range of marine, boating and fishing products, at competitive prices for online shoppers. Ritz Interactive’s leading photo-specialty and consumer electronics e-commerce websites are RitzCamera.com and WolfCamera.com, while the company’s leading marine e-commerce website is BoatersWorld.com. Each of the individually branded and marketed websites offers a broad and deep selection of competitively priced products, how-to tips and articles, and customer product reviews. See http://www.ritzinteractive.com/ for more information.
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