What Grupo Malwee does

Grupo Malwee (legal name Malwee Malhas LTDA) is a privately held, vertically integrated Brazilian fashion group founded in 1968 and headquartered in Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina. It operates the full textile chain in-house — knitting (over 30 tons of mesh per day), dyeing, printing, embroidery, cutting, sewing and finishing — and runs six consumer brands covering the full family demographic: Malwee (mainstream women, men and plus size), Enfim (youth), Malwee Kids! and Carinhoso (children, including special occasion), Basico.com (digital-first premium basics founded 2013) and Basicamente (digital-native tech basics launched 2020). The company reaches Brazilian consumers through more than 25,000 multi-brand retail points, the Aqui Tem Malwee street-retail franchise network, Malwee Kids! shopping-center franchises, owned brand e-commerce sites and the A Sua Loja Malwee SaaS platform (built with startup ShowKase, 300+ connected stores).

Revenue is generated from wholesale to multi-brand retailers, franchise royalties and fees (Malwee Kids!, Aqui Tem Malwee), direct-to-consumer e-commerce across all six brands, B2B SaaS subscriptions for retail partners, and Malwee Pay payment-processing transaction fees for partner merchants. A proprietary sustainability stack — Lavanderia 5.0 jeans finishing (up to 98% water reduction), Fio do Futuro recycled yarn (85% post-consumer content), Ar.voree CO2-capturing mesh (with Singapore-based Xinterra), Tecnobio effluent treatment (up to 20% reuse), natural dyeing and the Malwee Transforma Innovation Lab — supports SBTi-approved targets (50% Scope 1&2 and 58% Scope 3 reduction by 2030, Net Zero 2050) and certifications including ABVTEX Gold, ABF Franchise Excellence, UN Global Compact, RE100, ZDHC and GRI. The group employs over 4,000 people (majority-female leadership), has no external institutional investors, and is controlled by the founding Weege family.

Name

Grupo Malwee

Legal name

Malwee Malhas LTDA

Website

https://grupomalwee.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Grupo Malwee is a privately held, vertically integrated Brazilian fashion group operating six family-demographic brands (Malwee, Enfim, Malwee Kids, Carinhoso, Basico.com, Basicamente) through 25,000+ multi-brand retail points, franchises, and owned e-commerce channels, with proprietary sustainable textile technologies and B2B tools for retail partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Apparel Manufacturing and Retail

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315), Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (except Contractors) (315250), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159)

SIC

Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Retail-Family Clothing Stores (5651)

akta.pro primary industry

Apparel Sourcing, Buying Houses & Trading Companies (CRAAAAAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Textiles, Fabrics, Trims & Components Suppliers (CRAAAAAL), Kids Apparel (5–12) (CRAAAHAC)

Keywords

• Fashion manufacturing
• Apparel brands
• Textile manufacturing
• Clothing retail
• Sustainable fashion

Headquarters

HQ city

Blumenau

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Wholesale to Multi-Brand Retailers: Primary revenue stream from selling apparel products to over 25,000 multi-brand stores across Brazil. The company provides a complete portfolio covering the entire family across all its brands.
2. Franchise Revenue: Royalty and franchise fees from Malwee Kids! shopping center franchises and Aqui Tem Malwee street retail franchise network. Franchisees pay initial investment and ongoing royalties for exclusive brand use and support.
3. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Revenue from owned online stores across all six brands (Malwee, Enfim, Malwee Kids, Carinhoso, Basico.com, Basicamente). Consumers purchase directly at brand-specific websites.
4. Malwee Pay Payment Processing: Payment processing service for retail partners with competitive market rates, generating transaction fees from merchants using the Malwee Pay platform.
5. B2B SaaS Tools (A Sua Loja Malwee): Digital platform (built with startup ShowKase) offering e-commerce creation tools to retail partners, with 30-day free trial and subscription-based model for ongoing access to digital commerce features.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Grupo Malwee designs, manufactures and distributes apparel across six consumer brands (Malwee, Enfim, Malwee Kids!, Carinhoso, Basico.com and Basicamente) covering family, youth, children and premium-basic segments. Production is vertically integrated in Jaraguá do Sul from knitting and dyeing to finished garments, sold through more than 25,000 multi-brand retailers, Aqui Tem Malwee and Malwee Kids! franchise networks, brand-owned e-commerce and partner support tools such as Malwee Pay and A Sua Loja Malwee.

Product overview

Grupo Malwee is a vertically integrated Brazilian fashion company operating from yarn to consumer. The portfolio consists of six core brands serving different market segments: Malwee (main family brand for men, women, plus size), Enfim (youth), Malwee Kids! and Carinhoso (children), Basico.com (digital-first premium basics), and Basicamente (technological basics). Supporting platforms include Malwee Pay (payment solution), A Sua Loja Malwee (digital store platform built with ShowKase), and the Malwee Transforma innovation lab. The company operates retail networks (Rede Aqui Tem Malwee, franchises), e-commerce, and multi-brand retail presence in over 25,000 stores nationwide. Sustainability-focused innovations include Fio do Futuro (recycled thread), Ar.voree CO2-capturing technology, and Lab Malwee Jeans (water-efficient production).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Malwee: Main fashion brand offering comfortable, practical and versatile clothing that withstands time, in women's, men's and plus size segments.
• Enfim
• Malwee Kids
• Carinhoso
• Basico.com
• Basicamente

Products and services

• Malwee Comfortable, practical and versatile clothing for men, women and plus size. Positions as democratic fashion produced sustainably with environmental responsibility.
• Enfim Youth-focused fashion brand targeting trendy, energetic young people connected with culture through collaborations, music, art and entertainment.
• Malwee Kids! Children's brand offering colorful, fun, comfortable and durable clothing designed for everyday adventures and self-expression.
• Carinhoso Children's special occasion fashion brand capturing childhood essence with current trends, maximum comfort and style.
• Basico.com Digital-first premium basics combining Egyptian cotton, tailoring techniques and advanced textile technology for maximum quality essentials.
• Basicamente Digital-native brand offering technology-enhanced basic clothing that simplifies and functionalizes daily life.
• Malwee Pay Proprietary payment processing service for fashion retail partners, offering competitive market rates for small, medium and large stores with no promotional pricing gimmicks.
• A Sua Loja Malwee SaaS e-commerce platform (built with ShowKase) enabling retail partners to create online stores with catalog management, social media tools and customer engagement features, with 30-day free trial.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88% of clothing produced with lower-impact raw materials or processes
• +11 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• XinterracoreTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2024Singapore-based startup that partnered with Grupo Malwee to develop Ar.voree, the first Brazilian fabric technology that captures CO2 from the environment and eliminates it during washing. The partnership represents a breakthrough in sustainable textile innovation.
• ShowKasecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020Startup partnership to develop 'A Sua Loja Malwee' platform enabling physical retailers to create online stores in under an hour. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this tool enabled hundreds of physical stores to go digital. Over 300 stores currently connected.
• RoupatecaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Brazil's first shared wardrobe platform Roupateca, enabling consumers to rent sustainable Malwee brand clothing collections. Promotes circular economy consumption model and extends product lifecycle.
• RepassaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with online second-hand fashion platform Repassa to incentivize consumers to give new life to used clothing through resale or donation to social institutions.
• PantysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Pantys, the first reusable absorbent underwear brand in Latin America, to create a new sustainable option for menstrual cycles. Malwee provides fabric technology while Pantys provides the absorbent technology.
• LycraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Lycra to launch ecomade jeans, combining Malwee's sustainable manufacturing with Lycra's fiber technology for more comfortable and eco-friendly denim.
• SEBRAEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with SEBRAE (Brazilian Support Service for Micro and Small Enterprises) to create the 'Programa Malwee Abraça o Varejo' (PMAV), enhancing management and performance of retail partners through capacity building and competency development.
• SENAIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational training partnership with SENAI in Jaraguá do Sul for the Young Apprentice Program, developing talents and skills of youth aged 16-20 through professional courses and hands-on experience.
• IEP (Instituto de Educação Profissional)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational training partnership with IEP in Pacajus for the Young Apprentice Program, providing technical and professional development for youth.
• Contato SegurocoreTechnology or IntegrationExternal independent consultancy managing Grupo Malwee's Whistleblower Channel (Canal de Denúncias). Ensures total anonymity for reporters, with phone support provided by trained psychologists. Also provides accessibility support for people with visual, hearing or speech disabilities.
• ABVTEX (Associação Brasileira do Varejo Têxtil)coreOthersIndustry association for textile retail. Grupo Malwee became a signatory in 2019 and committed to 100% certified supply chain. Received Selo Ouro (Gold Certification) in 2026 for excellence in social, environmental and labor practices.
• SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative)coreOthersScience-based emissions reduction targets approved by SBTi in October 2021: 50% Scope 1&2 reduction by 2030 (vs 2019), 58% Scope 3 reduction per garment by 2030 (vs 2019), and Net Zero commitment by 2050.
• ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals)coreOthersChemical management initiative. Grupo Malwee adopted the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) to restrict hazardous chemicals in production, requiring supplier certifications and declarations of compliance.
• Pacto Global da ONU (UN Global Compact)coreOthersGrupo Malwee signed the UN Global Compact in 2015, committing to its principles on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. Also signed the Business Ambition 1.5°C commitment.
• Programa Brasileiro GHG ProtocolminorOthersEmissions accounting program used by Grupo Malwee to quantify Scope 3 emissions since 2019 and maintain public annual emissions reports since 2013.
• ABTD (Associação Brasileira de Têxtil e Descarte)minorOthersIndustry association for textile and disposal. Grupo Malwee maintains active membership and association participation.
• ABIT (Associação Brasileira da Indústria Têxtil)minorOthersBrazilian textile industry association. Grupo Malwee maintains active membership and industry representation.
• Sou de AlgodãominorOthersCotton industry initiative promoting sustainable cotton sourcing. Grupo Malwee participates in programs using ABRAPA-certified cotton or similar sustainable sources.
• RE100coreOthersGlobal renewable energy initiative. Grupo Malwee acquires I-REC certificates equivalent to 100% of electricity consumption in all manufacturing facilities through market-based renewable energy purchases.
• Strategic Raw Material Suppliers (80+ partners)coreOthers80 strategic supplier partners including Vicunha, Hudtelfa, Renauxview, Jumirim, Fiação Alpina (fabrics); Kurashiki, Brastex, Maliber, Fiasul, TBM (yarns); Erca Química, Siderquímica, Color Química, Huntsman (chemicals); Neobrand, Haco, Tipotil, Courogriff, Arte laços (trims); Avplas, Pomerplast, Klabin, Centerplast (packaging). Many certified to ISO 14001, ABVTEX, ZDHC or Bluesign standards.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hering: Hering is the largest Brazilian vertically integrated basic apparel manufacturer and the most direct comparable to Grupo Malwee, with similar heritage, multi-brand portfolio (Hering, Hering Kids, Hering Intimates), wholesale-led distribution model, and DTC e-commerce. Both serve the Brazilian mass-market family segment with vertically integrated cotton-based apparel.
• Lojas Renner: Lojas Renner is Brazil's largest fashion retailer, operating its own brands (Renner, Youcom, Ashua, Camicado) across physical stores and digital, with strong sustainability positioning (Live e-commerce platform, ESG goals) overlapping with Malwee's brand portfolio and multi-channel strategy. Both target Brazilian family and lifestyle segments.
• Riachuelo: Riachuelo is one of Brazil's largest fashion retailers with vertically integrated manufacturing, hundreds of physical stores, and a portfolio competing across price points (Mulambras, Pool, Botton, Casa Riachuelo). Comparable to Malwee in Brazilian mass-market positioning and store-based distribution.
• C&A Brasil: C&A Brasil is a major mass-market fashion retailer operating extensive physical stores and e-commerce in Brazil, with its own sustainability programs (e.g., C&A Institute, Cradle to Cradle certified products). Comparable in Brazilian mass-market family apparel with growing ESG commitments.
• Marisa: Marisa is a Brazilian apparel retailer specializing in women's and family fashion, operating hundreds of physical stores and e-commerce, with a comparable mid-market positioning and multi-channel distribution. Comparable in segment focus and Brazilian retail footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Inditex (Zara): Inditex operates global fast-fashion brands (Zara, Bershka, Pull&Bear) including in Brazil, with vertically integrated supply chain and aggressive sustainability targets. Comparable as global benchmark for vertically integrated multi-brand apparel and ESG commitments, though operating at far larger scale.
• Levi Strauss & Co. Levi Strauss operates a global denim and casual apparel brand with leading water reduction, circularity, and supply chain transparency programs. Comparable as a benchmark for verticalized denim/jeans innovation (Lab Malwee Jeans) and ESG leadership in apparel.

Others

• H&M: H&M is a global mass-market apparel retailer with strong sustainability initiatives (Conscious Collection, recycled materials targets) and operates in Brazil. Comparable in mass-market positioning, sustainability leadership, and multi-brand strategy, though at global scale.

Emerging players

• Patagonia: Patagonia is the global benchmark for sustainable apparel, with deep commitments to circular materials, supply chain transparency, and environmental activism. Comparable as a thought leader for sustainability innovations like Fio do Futuro and Ar.voree that Grupo Malwee is pursuing, though Patagonia is far smaller and outdoors-focused.
• Shein: Shein is the dominant cross-border fast-fashion platform rapidly growing in Brazil, disrupting wholesale-led mass-market apparel with on-demand manufacturing and aggressive pricing. Comparable as a competitive threat and benchmark for digital-first apparel supply chains that Grupo Malwee must defend against.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvd5IXTn2S4jv5hf5Q5_Tdg
• Facebookfacebook.com/grupomalwee
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grupomalwee
• Instagraminstagram.com/grupomalwee

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grupo Malwee