Studio F plans seven franchised stores in Venezuela

Studio F has announced its return to Venezuela through franchising, with four store openings planned for 2026 and a further three in 2027. The Colombian womenswear brand’s plan involves an investment of more than US$2 million in the first phase, covering Margarita, Maracaibo, Barquisimeto and Caracas.

Four openings with dates and locations

The announced schedule begins on 16 October 2026 at La Vela shopping centre in Margarita. The next opening is planned for 5 November at Sambil shopping centre in Maracaibo, followed by Sambil in Barquisimeto on 19 November. The final opening in this first phase is scheduled for 5 December at Cerro Verde shopping centre in Caracas.

According to information published by La República and Portafolio on 15 October, these four stores form the first phase of the expansion. The dates reflect the timetable communicated by the company, rather than confirmation that all the stores are already trading.

The plan identifies the cities and shopping centres selected for this phase. For those involved in Venezuela’s franchise market, the announcement offers a concrete example of an international brand’s expansion, with locations, dates and planned investment, rather than a general expression of interest in the country.

During 2027, Studio F plans to add three more stores, bringing its expected total to seven outlets in Venezuela. Locations for this second phase have not yet been disclosed alongside the detailed 2026 timetable.

A retail operation linked to Colombia

STF Group, the company that owns Studio F, links its Venezuelan expansion to growth in exports. It projects that product shipments from Colombia to supply this operation will reach US$4 million annually in 2027.

It is important to distinguish between the announcement’s two main figures. The investment of more than US$2 million relates to the rollout of the four stores planned for 2026. The US$4 million figure, by contrast, is an annual projection for product exports to Venezuela: it is neither an investment figure nor a consumer sales result already achieved.

The company also links the project to employment opportunities in both countries. In Colombia, it highlights product development, production and commercial roles; in Venezuela, store operations and related commercial activities.

STF Group also said the stores would carry the brand’s collections and offer a personalised service aimed at helping customers find clothing that suits their style. This forms part of the shopping experience the company intends to offer across its Venezuelan network.

Franchising as a route to regional expansion

The return to Venezuela is part of Studio F’s international expansion strategy through franchising. Carlos Alberto Acosta Hazzi, president of STF Group, said the company was also moving into new markets in Central America and the Caribbean with experienced local partners.

In Venezuela, franchising is the model explicitly announced for developing the new stores. This is relevant to those assessing the franchise market because it distinguishes the project from an expansion based solely on product distribution or a presence in multi-brand retailers.

The announced rollout combines two phases: four stores with a defined timetable in 2026 and three openings projected for 2027. Delivery against that schedule will provide a basis for tracking progress, without confusing announced targets with an already completed network.

A return rooted in an earlier presence

Studio F’s relationship with Venezuela predates this announcement. According to an account published by Red+ on 16 October, the brand opened a franchised store at Paseo El Hatillo shopping centre in Caracas in June 2011.

The same outlet also reports that, in late 2021, the brand’s clothing went back on sale through the multi-brand retailer Fashion Store Caracas, alongside distribution through Tiendas Gina. This history explains why the new rollout is being presented as a return, albeit now with its own store-opening schedule.

Practical takeaway: when assessing this expansion, track delivery of the four announced openings and further details of the 2027 plans, keeping the initial investment, store target and export projection separate.