¿CÓMO FUE SUS INICIOS DE TOPITOP? | TOPITOP - Historia

Topito: The Success Story of a Peruvian Textile Giant

Origins of the Flores Family

• Topito, founded by Aquilino Flores and his brothers in 1983, has over 35 years in the Peruvian market as a leading clothing retailer.

• The story begins in 1960 with the Flores brothers from Huancavelica, who faced poverty and lost their father early on, prompting them to seek better opportunities elsewhere.

Early Struggles and Migration

• At just 12 years old, Aquilino moved to Pisco for work after his father's death, reflecting on how this loss impacted him as the eldest sibling.

• After relocating to Lima, he took various jobs including washing cars; one car owner encouraged him to sell T-shirts, giving him 20 shirts to start.

Entrepreneurial Beginnings

• Demonstrating business acumen, Aquilino sold all shirts within a day and recognized the potential market for clothing sales.

• By 1970, he purchased a sewing machine and started a small workshop. He invited his brothers Manuel, Carlos, Marcos, and Armando to join him in founding "Creaciones Flores."

Growth and Expansion

• Their initial success was marked by producing high-quality garments that stood out against competitors; they received an order for 10,000 colorful T-shirts from a trader in Desaguadero.

• In the early '80s amidst social conflicts, they expanded into knitting and printing services which attracted more customers.

Establishing Topito

• In 1983, Aquilino established Topitos S.A., focusing on price, fashion, and quality. They opened their first store in Lima in 1986.

• By 1995 they inaugurated a model plant for exporting products across South America due to increasing demand.

Recognition and International Reach

• In 2003 Topito received recognition from Peru's Ministry of Labor; by 2005 it became Peru's top textile exporter.

• The company expanded into Venezuela and Colombia in subsequent years while changing its name from "Topcon" to "Topito" at the end of 2007.

Impact on Employment and E-commerce Growth

• An article in the Wall Street Journal highlighted the success of the Flores brothers' impact on Peru’s middle class through their production of over ten million garments monthly.