BRAZIL’S FLIP-FLOP GIANT SNAPPED UP FOR £850m

Havaianas flip-flops began in 1962 in Brazil and the design is based on a traditional Japanese sandal known as a zori made of rice straw

Their popularity soared in Brazil, and travelling salesmen would sell Havaianas directly from their vintage Volkswagen vans

Havaianas – the Portuguese for Hawaiians – have soles like rice grains to imitate the original design

While called flip-flops in the UK, they are called thongs in Australia, jandals in New Zealand, slops in South Africa and slippers in Asia

In 1973, a giant Havaiana sandal more than 138 feet long and weighing over 4 tons was used in TV commercials

FLIP-FLOP firm Havaianas has been sold for £850m as its scandal-hit billionaire owners seek to pay off a £2.5bn fine.

The Brazilian label, which counts actress Jennifer Aniston and singers Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez as fans, is being sold by the Batista family, who have been embroiled in a series of corruption scandals.

Alpargatas, which owns the brand, will be bought by three prominent Brazilian banking groups.

The company is owned by J&F group, part of the business empire of Batista brothers Joesley and Wesley who confessed to bribing almost 1,900 politicians to obtain cheap government loans for their business.

The scandal has reached the top of Brazilian politics, with President Michel Temer among those accused of corruption.

Havaianas’ flip-flops are known for their colourful designs and association with Brazil’s beach lifestyle, and 200m pairs are sold each year.

The brand has stores in the UK, and concessions in Selfridges, Bluewater and Westfield shopping centres.