Fully 78% of Consumers Plan to Self-Gift this Holiday Season

Coresight Research’s Ten Days of Holiday Innovators series profiles innovative companies offering distinctive holiday-suitable gifts. In this we report, we look at Okabashi footwear. The 2018 holiday shopping season is expected to be a healthy one. Consumers in the US are set to spend an average of $1,007 this holiday, 4.1% more than they planned to spend last year according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF’s) annual holiday spending survey, conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.  According to Deloitte’s annual holiday survey, 78% of consumers also plan to self-gift this holiday.

Okabashi

Headquarters

Buford, Georgia

Company Description

Okabashi is a Buford, Georgia-based footwear manufacturer specializing in designing and manufacturing comfortable shoes for both men and women founded in 1984. Okabashi is known for flip flops and sandals, and markets via a network of retail stores as well as online to US and international customers. Being quintessentially American is a central theme in its brand messaging while wellness and reflexology are key tenets behind its products. The company’s sustainability efforts include closed-loop recycling to minimize environmental waste and shoes that are 100% recyclable. Okabashi operates three distinct websites - www.Okabashi.com, www.Oka-B.com and www.explorethirdoak.com.

Company Differentiator

Okabashi has carved a niche creating shoes that focus on comfort. Its shoes are all made in the USA at its facility in Buford, GA giving it an “All-American” appeal. Another feature is that its shoes are 100% recyclable.

Company Items of Interest

Okabashi is based in the small town of Buford, GA, 40 miles north of Atlanta. This town has a rich history of shoe making, dating back to the early 1900s when it was known as the "Leather City."

Flip Flops and Sandals Market

According to a report published in 2018 by Wiseguy reports.com, the global flip flop market was estimated to be worth $9.2 billion in 2017 and is expected to rise to $13.8 billion by the end of 2025, and to grow 5.2% per annum between 2018 and 2025. Global flip flop production was around 3 billion pair in 2017, and it is predicted to reach 4.2 billion pair in 2025. At present, women’s flip flops account for the largest share of market, around 40%. Revenue in the US footwear market in 2018 is expected to total $83.8 billion and expected to grow 2.6% per annum, according to Statista. Revenue in the sandal, textile footwear and other footwear segment in 2018 is expected to be $33.1 billion and to grow 2.1% CAGR annually through 2021.

Industry Collaborations and Awards

Okabashi was named “Medium Manufacturer of the Year” (for companies between 100 and 199 employees) in the 2018 Movers & Makers Awards organized by Partnership Gwinnet in collaboration with Gwinnet Technical College.

Must-Have Gift Recommendations This Holiday

Women: Maui flip flop This is Okabashi’s best-selling women's style, and it provides therapy for the feet with every step. It is non-slip, flexible, washable and provides support to make it an appropriate post-workout shoe, or for everyday wear.

Source: Maui Flip Flop; Okabashi Website

Men: Eurosport sandal This versatile all-star men's style is suitable for everyday wear, post-workout, and is non-slip for the shower.

Source: Eurosport Sandal; Okabashi Website

Leveraging Social Media

Okabashi’s holiday offerings will be announced through the brand’s social media sites including Instagram (@okabashishoes), Pinterest (@okabashishoes), Facebook (@Okabashi) and Twitter (@okabashi).

Where the Company’s Products Are Sold

Okabashi sells online through three websites: www.Okabashi.com, www.Oka-B.com and www.explorethirdoak.com Okabashi flip-flops, sandals, slides and clogs are also sold at CVS, Walgreens and other major pharmacies.