Company Profile
The Guararapes Group is one of the largest in the fashion industry in Brazil, distinguished by its fully integrated business model. Through a vertically structured value chain that encompasses industrial manufacturing, retail operations, and financial services, the Group achieves significant efficiency gains, operational agility, and competitive strength across all business fronts.
For more than seven decades, the Company has been shaping the Brazilian fashion scene. Its fully verticalized business model is structured across three core segments:
(i) Retail:
(a) A brand platform comprising the retail chains Riachuelo, Casa Riachuelo, Carter’s, and FANLAB, with a total of 435 physical stores across Brazil, complemented by a robust e-commerce operation that includes both private label brands and a third-party marketplace;
- Logistics is a fundamental strategic pillar of this segment. To support nationwide operations, the Company operates three Distribution Centers (DCs) located in Guarulhos (SP), Natal (RN), and Manaus (AM), in addition to its own freight company, Transportadora Casa Verde.
(ii) Midway Financeira: an integrated platform for financial products and services; and (iii) Midway Mall, located in Natal (RN).
Since its foundation, the Company has consistently pursued maximum integration across its operations—from product development to final delivery—supported by a team committed to democratizing fashion in Brazil. The Company’s corporate headquarters is located in the Industrial District of Natal (RN), with its administrative headquarters in São Paulo. In 2013, it expanded its global sourcing capabilities by opening a commercial office in Shanghai, China.
In recent years, the Company has optimized its value proposition, focusing on unlocking the full potential of its core business, bringing greater assertiveness and quality in the offer of its products. The journey has been driven by a continuous pursuit of innovation and new technologies, along with a strong commitment to sustainability, which guides the business, transforming fashion into an asset that generates value for its entire chain.
And for the third consecutive year, Guararapes was selected to join B3’s Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) Portfolio. This achievement reinforces the consistency and seriousness with which the Company has advanced with regard to environmental, social, transparency and governance issues in its ESG agenda, and demonstrates the Company’s focus on creating more sustainable fashion, as presented in its Integrated Report.
Lojas Riachuelo
Riachuelo, a company in the retail sector, was acquired in April 1979 with the objective of promoting the integration between retail and production.
Riachuelo proposes to facilitate access to fashion, bringing it to the consumer with agility and quality, for a fair price. To this end, it researches, develops and distributes the novelties of the catwalks and streets at the speed that the world asks for and that customers deserve. In addition, it seeks to bring quality products with personality, to be a reference in the retail of women’s, men’s and children’s fashion.
Thus, the Guararapes factory began to direct most of its production to Riachuelo, which was developed with greater intensity from 2005 onwards, and since 2008, the entire production of the factory has been destined to the Group’s store network, which is present throughout the national territory.
With the strength of the Carter’s brand, Riachuelo reinforced its position in the baby and early childhood clothing segment, a market that is currently served by small chains of regional expression in Brazil. Carter’s has a strong synergy with Riachuelo’s value proposition, since both offer quality products with a great cost-benefit ratio.
Having the exclusivity of the brand in Brazil makes this partnership an important anchor for the Company’s digital channel platform, by creating an environment that involves all categories related to maternity, which is even more complete with the entry of the marketplace, with the offer of clothing, layettes, FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods)), childcare lines, among other products and services that expand the relationship with the customer and the frequency of purchases.
Casa Riachuelo offers a differentiated shopping experience, with pieces that bring the latest trends from different lifestyles to dress the Brazilian home. With Casa Riachuelo, the Company offers customers the right mix of products, competitive pricing and financial services, all in an omnichannel experience.
FANLAB is a brand specialized in fans of series, books, movies and games, in an independent operation, present in the physical and digital environment, with a dedicated e-commerce. Its portfolio includes clothing, accessories, collectibles, decoration, home fashion, pet world and special collections from brands such as Harry Potter, Marvel, DC, Looney Tunes and Free Fire.
Midway Mall and Properties
Midway Mall and Owned Real Estate In addition to the integrated retail and financial business model, the Group owns Shopping Midway Mall and real estate.
In 2005, the Company inaugurated the Midway Mall in Natal – RN, which has 235.9 thousand m2 of gross built area, and a gross net area (GLA) of 63.2 thousand m².
In December 2022, Midwest Estacionamento Ltda. was founded, with the objective of managing the parking lot of Shopping Midway Mall.
At the end of 2024, Riachuelo had a portfolio of 48 stores installed in properties belonging to the Group, a total of 124.6 thousand m² in sales area. Considering the area of its own properties (Midway Mall and stores), together with the Natal distribution center, the industrial production plants and the call center, the Company has approximately 723 thousand m² in gross built area.
Transportadora Casa Verde
Transportadora Casa Verde, a company in the road transport sector, is responsible for part of the Group’s logistics. Due to the investments made in recent years, mainly in technology, it has been able to regularly deliver the products manufactured by the Company to Riachuelo stores effectively.
History
The Guararapes Group, today recognized as one of the Best Companies in the Textile Sector in the Industry Category of Exame Magazine, as well as one of the largest employer brands in the country, began its legacy in 1947, by the brothers Nevaldo and Newton Rocha, with the opening of its first fabric store “A Capital”, in Natal – RN.
After 4 years of exercise, the first business of the brothers Nevaldo and Newton Rocha was expanded to Recife – PE, with the implementation of a fabric manufacturing company, as well as the acquisition of several commercial points.
In October 1956, the Company was founded in Recife – PE. After 2 years, the first factory was inaugurated in Natal – RN, with a built area of 2,700m², consequently, transferring its headquarters to the same location.
In the early 1970s, the Company went public, with the consequent construction of the factories in Fortaleza – CE in 1976, with 9,800m² of built area and in Mossoró – RN, as well as the creation of the Super G chain of stores.
Em 1979, a Guararapes adquiriu a Lojas Riachuelo e a Wolens, expandindo sua atuação para o varejo têxtil, área responsável pelo maior crescimento da Companhia nos últimos anos.
Also in 1979, Guararapes Têxtil was inaugurated in Natal – RN, with 40,000m² of built area.
In 1980, Transportadora Casa Verde was founded, a company in the road transport sector, responsible for part of the group’s logistics and whose activity is to transport the products and materials of the Company and Lojas Riachuelo.
In 1982, the Pool brand was launched, idealized by Flávio Rocha, becoming a fashion icon in the 1980s, in addition to being the main sponsor of the driver Ayrton Senna at the beginning of his career, when he competed in the Kart and Formula-3 categories.
Later, in 1983, there was the incorporation of Seta and Wolens stores by Riachuelo.
Ten years later, in 1993, the Guararapes Group went through a process of modernization and restructuring.
In 1997, the manufacturing unit in Natal – RN, responsible for the production of knitting and part of the shirting, was expanded, and had a built area of 150,000m². In parallel, the manufacturing unit in Fortaleza – CE, became responsible for the production of flat fabrics such as twill, jeans and shirts.
From 2005 onwards, the Company’s manufacturing units began to allocate more relevant amounts of parts produced to Lojas Riachuelo, until, in 2008, all production began to be directed to the Group’s store network. The products produced by Guararapes play a fundamental role for the Group, ensuring quality, agility, reactivity and better social and environmental control of the chain.
In addition to the existing enterprises, the Company also invested in research, creation, development and the distribution process, which are fundamental for the evolution of its integrated business model, seeking efficiency between product development and delivery to stores. To this end, it improved the logistics of operations and in 2000, the Company inaugurated its first distribution center (“DC”) with 58,000 m², located in Natal – RN.
In addition to the relationship between retail and factory, the Company maintains the integrated management of its financial operation: Midway Financeira. Created in 2008, Midway Financeira aims to carry out financing operations for consumers of products and services, seeking the most appropriate financial resources to support such transactions.
In 2010, the operations of the Flag Card began, and the Company inaugurated the Riachuelo Theater, in Natal – RN.
Crossing borders, the Company opened an office in the city of Shanghai – China in 2013 to mediate trade negotiations.
In the following years, the Company resumed its focus on improving the logistics of its operations and inaugurated two other DCs, one in Guarulhos – SP (with 100,000 m²) and another in Manaus – AM (with 6,000 m²). In 2015, the Company began investments in the Guarulhos DC, which enabled the migration of automated logistics of 100% of the apparel mix, with control by Stock Keeping Unit (“SKU”), presenting the number of pieces in stock according to their characteristics, such as category, size, collection, which was inaugurated in 2016, being an important step towards the development of the fast fashion concept in the Company. The DCs of Natal and Guarulhos have inventories and integrated operations for both physical and digital channels.
Also in 2015, the Company began to carry out cell phone sales operations and, in 2016, started perfumery operations.
Aiming at further expansion of the business, in 2020, the Company inaugurated two new store formats: Casa Riachuelo and Carter’s. With Casa Riachuelo, the Company offers customers pieces that bring the latest trends in different lifestyles to dress the Brazilian home. At the same time, by acquiring the exclusivity of the Carter’s brand in Brazil, the Company reinforced its position in the early childhood clothing segment, expanding the relationship with the customer.
Also in 2020, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Company went through a digital transformation process, which took place transversally and went through some cycles: first, the Company retrained and updated its environments and systems to strengthen the technological base, support for its next steps. Then, it redesigned its technological architecture, bringing an integrated systemic view between its retail and financial businesses.
The year 2021 consolidated pillars and levers capable of bringing opportunities for revenue generation. In order to offer the best shopping experience to customers, the Company has adapted to their needs and prepared to serve customers in the channel they want, seeking to offer the best shopping experience within a retail and financial services ecosystem. To this end, it started to operate with integrated solutions such as e-store (infinite shelf), self-checkout and mobile POS in stores, among others.
Such tools are supported by omnichannel solutions of great logistics efficiency, such as Pick Up in Store and Pick Up Fast, ship from store and strategically located distribution centers, with inventories and operations integrated between the physical and digital worlds. In addition, it also has a marketplace complementary to the omnichannel strategy, which reinforces the concept of lifestyle based on a curation of fashion and product, by brands and categories, which complete the offer of products offered by the Company.
Also in 2021, it inaugurated the “Loja do Amanhã”, in Jacarepaguá – RJ, a more sustainable point of sale model.
That same year, Midway launched the digital account, which reached the mark of 1 million openings in the first five months of operation. As a result, the Company has been expanding its relationship with its customers, going beyond offering cards and personal loans, offering products and services in digital channels with maximum integration with retail.
On December 22, 2021, B3 S.A. – Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão, “B3”, granted the Company’s request to migrate to the Novo Mercado and on March 30, 2022, the Company’s migration to this special listing segment was approved at an Extraordinary General Meeting. The migration to the Novo Mercado represents a milestone for the Company, reinforcing its commitment to high standards of corporate governance.
The Company’s common shares began trading on the Novo Mercado on April 5, 2022, a year marked by the 75th anniversary of the Company, which is currently one of the largest fashion groups in Brazil.
Also in 2022, the Company expanded its portfolio of brands and inaugurated FANLAB, a new business front specializing in the geek audience.
In 2023, the Company started to centralize its manufacturing production in Rio Grande do Norte, closing the activities of the plant in Fortaleza – CE. The Company’s integrated business model remains unchanged, and this decision is part of its strategic planning, with a focus on optimizing the manufacturing operation to intensify reactivity, efficiency and competitiveness, combined with sustainable growth.
Also in 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the transition process for the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company, appointing Mr. André Michel Farber, in succession to Mr. Oswaldo Aparecido Nunes. Mr. Farber’s appointment was an important step for the Group, a professional with extensive knowledge of the national market and expertise in omnichannel strategy, innovation and expansion.
In 2025, B3 authorized the Company to keep in free circulation, until December 31, 2026, shares representing at least 17.25% of its capital stock. At the end of the period, the percentage of 20% of shares in free circulation must have been reached, as provided for in B3’s Novo Mercado Regulation “Novo Mercado Regulation”.
Since its foundation, the Company has sought to direct all its efforts to achieving maximum integration between its operations, a fact that allows the Company to be the only player to integrate the three aspects of its business: retail, industry and financial. In addition to Riachuelo and Midway Financeira, the Group owns Shopping Midway Mall and Transportadora Casa Verde.
Timeline
1947
Beginning of the history of the Guararapes Group, with the opening of the first clothing store of the brothers Nevaldo and Newton Rocha, called “The Capital”, in Natal (RN).
1951
Beginning of the activities of a small apparel factory in Recife, in line with the development of the garment market in the Northeast.
1959
Opening of the first factory in Natal, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, with total area of 2,700 squared meters.
1970
Company´s Initial Public Offering.
1976
Construction of factories in Fortaleza, in the state of Ceará, today with 60,000 square meters and in Mossoró (RN), with 9,800 square meters. Foundation of the stores chain Super G.
1979
Acquisition of Riachuelo and Wolens chain stores, expanding its area of activity to retail.
1982
Pool Trademark was created, a brand that has remained connected with the young and was the main sponsor of the pilot Ayrton Senna early in his career when he competed in the Kart and Formula-3 categories.
1983
Riachuelo incorporated two stores: Seta and Wolens.
1993
Group´s modernization and restructuring.
1997
Transfer and expansion of the industrial facilities in Natal, to the industrial district of Extremoz/Natal, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, today with 150,000 square meters of built area.
2000
Opening of the Distribution Center in Extremoz;Natal (RN), with total area of 55,000 squared meters.
2002
Opening of the Distribution Center in Guarulhos (SP), with total area of 86,000 squared meters.
2005
Inauguration of Shopping Midway Mall, in Natal (RN).
2008
- 100% of Guararapes’ production goes to Lojas Riachuelo.
- Beginning of Midway Financeira’s operations.
2010
Launch of our private label card and inauguration of Teatro Riachuelo, in Natal/RN.
2014
The Guararapes Group is the largest fashion group in Brazil, an example of stability and solidity in the market. The Guararapes – Riachuelo Group receives the transparency trophy awarded by Fipecafi – Serasa Experian.
2015
- Beginning of investment in a new Distribution Center, which will enable the migration of 100% of the mix to the SKU-based replacement model, which is essential for the development of fast fashion concepts.
- The Guararapes – Riachuelo Group receives the transparency trophy awarded by Fipecafi – Serasa Experian for the second year in a row. Beginning of mobile operations.
2016
- Conclusion of the new Distribution Center, enabling 100% SKU-based mix replacement. The higher investments in 2015 and 2016 have enabled the Company to increasingly take advantage of the fact that it is an integrated company. Beginning of perfumery operations.
- The Guararapes – Riachuelo Group receives the transparency trophy awarded by Fipecafi – Serasa Experian for the third year in a row.
2017
The Guararapes – Riachuelo Group receives the transparency trophy awarded by Fipecafi – Serasa Experian for the fourth year in a row. Beginning of E-commerce operations.
2018
For the fifth year, the Guararapes – Riachuelo group is awarded the transparency trophy by Fipecafi – Serasa Experian.
2019
Inauguration of the new Midway Financeira office, an investment that the Company has been making in its financial operation to transform this business into a bank that offers a 100% digital experience for customers, always counting on the support of the operations of Riachuelo’s physical stores.
2020
- Inauguration of the Casa Riachuelo and Carter’s formats
GPTW Brazil (7th consecutive time) – In the Best Companies to Work for category. - GPTW Varejo (6th consecutive time) – In the category, Best Companies to Work For
- GPTW Financial Institutions (Midway) – In the category, Best Companies to Work For
- 1st place in the Ranking of the Best Companies in People Management – In the category Over 17 thousand Employees – Valor Carreira, by Valor Econômico.
- Most Admired Fashion Brand by Consumers – (“IBEVAR”) – FIA.
- The Best Company in the Textile Sector in the Industry Category and, Also, as One of the Largest Employer Brands in the Country, with Brazilian Control – Revisa EXAME.
- We won the LATAM Workplace Customer Success Awards, in the Innovation Category. – Workplace from Facebook.
- Transparency Trophy – Listed among the Winners with Net Revenue up to R$ 8 Billion – ANEFAC.
2021
- Great Place to Work (GPTW) Retail: Eighth consecutive time in the Best Companies to Work for category, and Top 3 Best Retail Companies to Work for in 2021
- Third place in the Ranking of Valor Carreira’s Best Companies in People Management, in the “over 17,000 Employees” category – for the fourth time in a row;
- 2021 ABT CREDIT CASH Award: The ABT Award is the highest award in Customer Relationship in Brazil;
- Reclame Aqui” Award: First place in the Fashion and Apparel – E-commerce category, and Second place in the Fashion and Apparel – Retail category;
- Midway Financeira: First place in the Bacen Quality Ranking (December 2021), among the 15 largest financial conglomerates;
- Grand Opening of Loja do Amanhã, in Jacarepaguá-RJ, a more sustainable point-of-sale model;
- Launch of the Riachuelo Institute; and
- Consolidation of customer-centric omnichannel initiatives. Integration of 100% of the brick-and-mortar stores and DCs with digital platforms.
2022
- Great Place to Work (GPTW): Best Retail Companies to Work For – 10th Place;
- Warner Award: Best Execution with the Moschino collection for Riachuelo;
- Game Brasil 2022 survey (PGB 2022): Best known brand in geek clothing;
- Gupy Seal: Company that gives feedback (with more than 90% return on selection processes);
- 2022 Gupy Highlight Award: 100 Inspiring HRs in Brazil;
- Glassdoor: standout against the textile retail market for its performance on the platform (81% would recommend Riachuelo to a friend);
- Gold Seal of the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program;
- Amiga da Justiça Company Seal for Riachuelo and Midway;
- Abrappe 2022 Award for the best extended loss case;
- Company certified by ABVTEX – Associação Brasileira do Varejo Têxtil;
- MIDWAY: first place in Bacen’s Quality Ranking of less complained financial institutions (1Q22);
- Anefac 2022 Transparency Trophy, in the category Companies with Net Revenue from R$5 billion to R$20 billion.
2023
- 2023 Best WorkPlaces by Infojobs;
- Bronze position in the category “Leader in Motivational Campaign” at the ClienteSA Awards;
- One of the 100 companies with the greatest ESG perception in the country, in a ranking prepared by Insight Comunicação, with support from Bradesco and Fundação Getulio Vargas;
- Casa Riachuelo enters the Global Innovation Awards ranking;
- Riachuelo wins the Gold Seal from the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program for the third year in a row;
- We are among the 100 most responsible companies in ESG in Brazil according to Merco;
- Riachuelo won the award for Best Project in celebration of Disney’s 100th anniversary at The Walt Disney Company’s Best of the Year award;
- We won the 2023 Top Natal Award, which recognized Midway Mall as one of the most remembered brands by Natal residents, helping us maintain the title of best shopping mall in Rio Grande do Norte (RN) for the 16th year in a row;
- We once again received the Gupy Seal: Company that provides feedback (with more than 90% of responses in selection processes); and
- Riachuelo is once again in the GPTW (Great Plance to Work) Ranking – Retail 2023.