Clarks Shoes: Leaving Footprints Around the World

Clarks S HOES Leaving Footprints Around the World Known as the world's largest casual and smart shoe company, Clarks 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. CLARKS BY THE NUMBERS #1 shoe brand in the United Kingdom • 4th largest footwear company 50 million pairs of shoes sold each year 84 %24 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. Eureka moment! The Clarks create the first sheepskin slipper: the "Brown Petersburg". 1825 The Clarks found C. & J. Clark Company. C.&J. Cluri Cmpay Outworkers assemble footwear at home to meet growing demands. Between 1825 and 1850 The company develops national and international trade. The company wins 2 awards at the Great Exhibition for its industry achievements. 1851 Recession hits, bring the business to the brink of bankruptcy. 1863 The company introduces N the factory system to the shoemaking process. Between 1863 and 1882 The Clarks launch the Hygienic line featuring shoes designed to fit the shape of the foot. 1883 Between 1883 and 1936 The fashion industry booms! The Clarks release their first press advertisement. 1936 Between 1936 and 1950 The company supplies the nation with shoes during World War II. The Desert Boot debuts with more than 10 million pairs sold since. The company opens 15 new factories in neighboring areas to meet the demand. 1950 Clarks first flagship store is established on London's Regent Street. 1957 While Clarks made the tough decision to move operations overseas, the Eu company still commits to the same level of quality that James and Cyrus Clark started with in 1825. 1990 and Beyond ON CULTURE CLARKS MARK 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" Brought to you by Walking on a Cloud www.walkingonacloud.ca 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