All Clarks articles
Footwear specialist Clarks was founded in 1825 by brothers Cyrus and James Clark in Street, Somerset, where it is headquartered to this day. The retailer is best known for its suede Desert Boots, which was designed by James Clark’s grandson, Nathan, and launched in the 1950s. Until 2020, Clarks was the oldest family-owned business in the UK, but the pandemic forced the Clark family to relinquish control. Private equity firm Lion Rock and Chinese entrepreneur Li Ning wrested control from the founding family, in a deal valuing Clarks at £200m.
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AnalysisCan Clarks get back into its stride or is the brand dead on its feet?
As the revolving door at Clarks continues, Retail Week looks at what’s been plaguing the footwear specialist and if there’s hope for a triumphant turnaround
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NewsFormer Clarks boss drafted into leadership team following fresh round of senior management departures
Exclusive: Questions have been raised over the strategic direction of Clarks, after Retail Week reveals that a former CEO, who is now on the board of the retailer’s majority owner, has been drafted in to help run the business following another swathe of senior management departures.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisClarks (Strategy)
Facing challenging headwinds and falling profits, Clarks is focused on cost control. With “a series of initiatives instigated” at the back end of 2023, it was reported that the footwear retailer plans to cut around 150 roles within its head offices in the US and UK.
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NewsClarks to axe 150 jobs as it swings to a loss
A number of jobs are are at risk of redundancy at footwear retailer Clarks, according to reports.
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NewsClarks managing director and chief product officer exit
Clarks managing director for the UK and Ireland, as well as its chief product officer, are understood to have left the footwear retailer, according to reports.
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DataRanking: The 30 fastest-growing fashion retailers revealed
It has been a tough few years for fashion, and retailers have been battling to lead on style, value and quality despite skyrocketing return rates, competition for customer loyalty and bold sustainability targets.
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NewsClarks sales slip as supply chain issues take their toll
British footwear retailer Clarks has posted a decline in profits after tax and turnover for the 48 weeks to December 2022 as supply chain issues took a toll on trading.
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DataFashion Forward: The top 30 fashion retailers by 2026
Fashion retail has experienced a turbulent time, but retailers investing in elevation, partnerships, acquisitions and focused transformation are set to win. Our Retail Week analysts reveal which retailers will lead the sector in 2026.
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NewsClarks poaches new managing director from Under Armour
British footwear retailer Clarks has named former Under Armour global vice-president of retail Bob Neville as its new managing director for the UK and Ireland.
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NewsClarks appoints new chief executive as it ‘looks forward to new phase’
Footwear specialist Clarks has named Jonathan Ram as chief executive as it seeks to rekindle success.
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NewsClarks boss steps down after just nine months at the helm
Clarks chief executive Victor Herrero has left his role to take on greater responsibilities at parent company LionRock.
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NewsClarks slumps to record losses due to Covid-19 restrictions
Footwear specialist Clarks has slumped to record losses in its more recent full-year results due to coronavirus restrictions and store closures.
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NewsMarks & Spencer adds new fashion brands to online stable
M&S is to introduce six more fashion brands to its online platform as it builds its ecommerce operations.
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NewsM&S launches Clarks tie-up in kids’ and casual clothing push
Marks & Spencer will start selling Clarks children’s shoes this week as part of its shift away from special occasion clothing.
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Retail Navigator Analysis
Clarks (Overview)
Clarks is among the largest footwear companies in the world. The footwear specialist trades through some 1,150 stores globally through a mix of standalone and franchise stores. It is also active in wholesaling in its regions.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisClarks (Financials)
Clarks delivered revenues of £994.5m in the year ending 31 December 2023. The footwear retailer had realigned its financial year with parent company, Viva Goods Company which resulted in a shorter financial reporting period of 48 weeks (to end December 2022) for FY2022. As such, year-on-year comparisons have not been used in either FY2022 or FY2023.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisClarks (SWOT)
Clarks is the UK’s largest specialist footwear retailer and has a global profile synonymous with quality. The company has high brand recognition in North America and a more premium position overseas than at home. However, retail sales have been volatile in recent years and the brand needs to ensure it remains relevant.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisClarks (People)
A search for a permanent chief executive is ongoing at Clarks, with chief executive Jonathan Ram, managing director Bob Neville and chief product officer Victoria Jones all having departed the retailer in recent months.
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NewsClarks top team exit in boardroom shake-up
Several members of shoe retailer Clarks’ leadership team have resigned from the business.
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NewsClarks creditors approve CVA opening door to new investment
Clarks’ creditors have approved the company voluntary arrangement proposal it launched earlier this month, allowing it to move the majority of its stores to turnover-based rents and opening the door for external investment.
