Islander's Cebu factory outlet to close doors on Jan. 1
Renowned local slipper brand Islander announced that its factory outlet in Cebu is closing its doors on Jan. 1, 2024.
“To all who worked with us, patronized us, shared with us, enjoyed with us, laughed and cried with us, persevered and believed in us, our friends, colleagues, families…Thank you, thank you so much!” Islander Factory Outlet said in a Facebook post on Dec. 26.
It asked the public to visit barangay Tungkop in Minglanilla municipality for the final sale of its owned brands Sugbu and Lookeya until Dec. 31.
Islander Philippines, in a statement on Dec. 27 clarified that the company itself is not shutting down, only its outlet in Cebu.
"We are aware of the post that has been going around and we’d like to confirm that Islander Philippines will not close and will continue to produce high-quality slippers for the Filipinos," it said, adding that the closure won't impact the overall Islander brand.
The company's main products are being sold as usual on e-commerce platforms Lazada and Shopee.
In a now-deleted statement, Islander Footwear Mfg. Corp, which manufactures the footwear, said its Cebu store has stopped operations and shut down since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
"Unfortunately, try as we might, compelled by factors we cannot control, we are forced to close and not to operate again," it said.
It clarified that it only produced the Islander and Spartan sandals, but never marketed nor distributed them.
"Islander Sandals will still be available on the market," it said, "but will be produced and supplied by other entities not related or connected to us."
As early as Nov. 9, Islander Factory Outlet intimated about its closure with a post that read, “Final & Farewell S… Prepare for it.”
Some users shared memories they had with the brand in the comments section.
“Thank you Islander you are my papa’s favorite footwear and mine when I was in grade school,” one user said.
Another user noted that Islander is their “dream and favorite sandal” in the ‘90s to the early aughts.
“Thank you for being part of our childhood islander,” another one said.
(Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include Island Philippines' statement, as well as a clarification that Islander Footwear Manufacturing Corporation deleted its last statement.)