Salis prepares for international expansion

Founded by Vânia Reis, following more than 20 years of experience in the textile industry, Salis was created with the aim of developing its own swimwear products in Portugal. The project began with a «bikini collection made from polyamide and elastane knitted fabric, with conventional cuts and a range of sizes», but the introduction of crinkle fabric and the one-size concept came to define the brand’s positioning, Vânia Reis explains to Portugal Têxtil.

«At the end of the first year, the response was very clear. The conventional line was well received, but it was in the crinkle fabric that customers recognised something truly distinctive», states the founder. In its second year, Salis began focusing exclusively on crinkle fabric and the one-size concept, under the promise “One Size. Different Bodies”.

Production takes place entirely within the Silsa group’s production chain, a close relationship that, according to the founder, allows greater control over quality and lead times, as well as flexibility in production, quantities and restocking.

The knitted fabric was developed over several weeks of research and refinement, making it possible to create garments with a high degree of adaptability to the body. «The adaptability comes, first and foremost, from the construction of the knitted fabric itself», explains the Salis founder. «We work with a tubular crinkle knitted fabric whose structure provides very high elasticity, expanding to more than twice its original size and then recovering its shape», she details. The garments’ construction was also adapted to the fabric’s characteristics, and most styles are developed without side seams, which are only used when required by the garment’s design.

New phase of growth

The online channel currently accounts for around 30% of Salis’ sales, while partner stores account for the remaining 70%. The multibrand retail network has its strongest presence in the Algarve, followed by Lisbon and Porto. «We have also found that the one-size concept works particularly well in multibrand retail because it simplifies stock management and allows retailers to offer a wider variety of styles and colours without having to multiply their investment across several sizes», notes Vânia Reis.

This year, the brand entered its first international point of sale, a multibrand store in Menorca, Spain. The store operates during the summer season, and «this first year went very well, with a good response to the product». The brand is already working on the selection for next summer.

Portugal remains Salis’ main market, although the online channel has already recorded purchases from Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, Italy, Luxembourg, the US and Canada. Overall, international markets account for around 15% of the business.

In its second year of operation, Salis more than tripled its turnover compared with the first year, and the brand aims to achieve a similar rate of growth in 2027. «It will be a year very much focused on expanding distribution, continuing to develop the online channel and taking the first steps into new international markets in a more structured way», Vânia Reis reveals.

International expansion will be pursued through multibrand stores and e-commerce. The brand is assessing European markets based on consumer profiles, positioning and affinity with the product, with the aim of developing a selected network of partners in markets considered priorities.

Salis is also preparing a new swimwear offering for May 2027, with a capsule collection developed from a new crinkle fabric structure, visually different from the one currently used in the brand’s main product range.

«It retains the principles of one size, adaptability and comfort, but features a renewed texture and visual expression», unveils Vânia Reis.