M&S launches Clarks tie-up in kids’ and casual clothing push

Marks & Spencer will offer Clarks products online and in eight of its destination stores. 

The partnership is the latest M&S has struck with complementary third-party retailers and brands as it builds its ecommerce business and adapts more rapidly to changes to shopping habits accelerated by the Covid pandemic.

M&S is focusing on “everyday style and value” rather than occasionwear and sees an opportunity as part of that to bolster its position in kids’ casual items as well as school uniforms.

M&S said it is the market leader in “several aspects of schoolwear” but sees an opportunity to “introduce a trusted footwear specialist”. The arrangement comes ahead of the back-to-school period, which the retailer said is its third-biggest annual retail event and is expected to be particularly important after a year when children’s education was disrupted by the pandemic.

The Clarks range will include daywear as well as school shoes and will be the latest kids’ partnership that M&S has penned. Ben Sherman and Original Penguin are among the childrenswear brands already sold online by M&S and will be joined later this year by Little Joule, Jack & Jones Junior and Somebody’s Child – a new range from Nobody’s Child. 

The retailer said that M&S Kids is growing ahead of the market and it is now the third biggest online childrenswear retailer in the UK. 

M&S director of kidswear Jill Stanton said: “For millions, an M&S uniform with Clarks shoes is a rite of passage, so we’re making it even easier for parents by offering the option to purchase these together on M&S.com, as well as in destination stores. 

“Our kidswear mission is to remain the go-to for Back to School whilst growing our daywear offer. As part of this, we have a great opportunity to introduce curated brands to complement our offer.”