Clarks Shoes: Leaving Footprints Around the World

Known as the world’s largest casual and smart shoe company, Clarks shoes has grown successfully as a family business for over nearly two centuries. Following the footsteps of the Clark brothers, the British shoe brand has paved the way for many other shoe manufacturers, becoming one of the leading brands of shoes in the world.

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Clarks by the Numbers

•#1 shoe brand in the United Kingdom
•4th largest footwear company
•50 million pairs of shoes sold each year
•1,200 stores
•15,000+ people employed

Clarks through the Years

It all started back when James and Cyrus Clark worked at a tannery in the Somerset village of Street.

1825

•Eureka moment! The Clarks create the first sheepskin slipper: the “Brown Petersburg”
Between 1825 and 1850

•The Clarks found C. & J. Clark Company.
•Outworkers assemble footwear at home to meet growing demands.
•The company develops national and international trade.

1851

•The company wins 2 awards at the Great Exhibition for its industry achievements.

1863

•Recession hits, bringing the business to the brink of bankruptcy.

Between 1863 and 1882

•The company introduces the factory system to the shoemaking process.

1883

•The Clarks launch the Hygienic line featuring shoes designed to fit the shape of the foot.

Between 1883 and 1936

•The fashion industry booms!

1936

•The Clarks release their first press advertisement.

Between 1936 and 1950

•The company supplies the nation with shoes during World War II.
•The company opens 15 new factories in neighboring areas to meet the demand.

1950

•The Desert Boot debuts with more than 10 million pairs sold since.

1957

•Clarks first flagship store is established on London’s Regent Street.

1990 and Beyond

•While Clarks made the tough decision to move operations overseas, the company still commits to the same level of quality that James and Cyrus Clark started with in 1825.

Clarks Mark on Culture

Desert Boot

•Fashionable in U.S Beatnik Culture
•Worn by Steve McQueen, Bob Dylan, Paul Weller, and Liam Gallagher

Wave

•Popular in Jamaican reggae industry- featured in Vybz Kartel’s song “Clarks”

Wallabee

•Adopted in American rapper community- promoted by Ghostface Killah and Erik Brunetti
•Worn by Walter White in the AMC series “Breaking Bad”
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Brought to you by Walking on a Cloud | www.walkingonacloud.ca
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Sources:
http://www.clarks.co.uk/historyandheritage_inthebeginning
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-2311484/Clarks-A-family-firm-kept-polish.html
http://goodhoodstore.com/mens/features/919
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/oct/28/clarks-shoes-reggae-jamaica-feature
http://www.highsnobiety.com/2013/09/12/the-resurgence-of-the-clarks-wallabee-the-death-of-walter-white/
http://kickfiends.blogspot.com/2011/07/where-you-get-new-clarks-deh-daddy.html
http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/00111767
http://www.walkingonacloud.com/11425-Clarks-Wave-Post-Brown-66190.aspx
http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/20301711

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