Shop appeals to local tastes

By Gaynor Dumat-ol Daleno
Guam Pacific Daily News - April 30, 2009

Guam's tropical feel has inspired Guam businessman Joseph Perez to open a business that fits the laid-back lifestyle of island residents as well as the more than 1 million tourists who vacation here each year.
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"To me, it was a no-brainer," Perez said of his first business venture since IT&E.

Perez opened Flip Flop Shops, a retail chain that sells, according to the company's announcement, "the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals" on Guam.

Located in the Micronesia Mall, the store opened April 24.

"The whole atmosphere and lifestyle on Guam is conducive to the shop. I don't know anyone on Guam who doesn't own flip-flops," he said. "Everyone on Guam owns a pair."

The shop sells a broad range of well-known casual footwear, including high-end brands, Perez said. The shop also isn't just about flip-flops; there are also "formal-casual" footwear for women, he added.

Perez said the shop's staff members are trained by the manufacturers to help customers understand how the products were developed for customer needs such as comfort, style and durability.

"We actually know our products," Perez said.

Perez was one of the previous owners of IT&E before the company was sold last year to PTI.

The Philippines' Delgado family, which primarily owns PTI, bought IT&E in a partnership with Japanese business giant Sumitomo Corp.

The first Flip Flop Shops store in the U.S. opened in September 2004. The company began franchising in January 2008, according to a press release announcing the opening of the Guam shop.

The company's 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 America's most well-known brands, including Cold Stone Creamery, Moe's Southwest Grill and Nike, according to Flip Flop Shops in a press release.

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