To think Clarks have lost the plot?

[AudTheDeepMinded]

School shoe shopping today. Was shown school shoe for five-year old (size 10) from newest range. Lovely shoe, but fuck me £56. I don't spend this on my own shoes.
www.clarks.co.uk/c/Encode-Flash-Kid/p/26153466
AIBU to think Clarks have lost touch with the reality of what the majority of parents can afford. I don't mind paying for quality and a pair that will endure but £56 is surely completely ludicrous for a five year old? A pair of DM boots in the same size is only a fiver more.

I used to love Clarks because they fit me really well but I am fed up with seeing styles I like buy only made in suede. If I'm paying £75 for a pair of work shoes I don't want to worry about a bit of rain.

@christinarossetti19

Clarks boys shoes are generally worth paying for. Mine have had plenty of pairs over the years and they last until they're outgrown.

Clarks girls shoes are definitely way overpriced. Poorly made, poorly designed and impractical. Kickers all the way for dd.

I completely agree with this, and it's so annoying! My sister (3 boys) swears by Clarks. I bought a pair for my daughter, and they fell apart really quickly.

I never buy Clark’s anymore unless it’s either reduced or secondhand. Their shoes are just not worth the money if you buy at full price....one year I had to take BOTH my kids shoes back as they rubbed their feet so badly, I’ve never really forgotten that so just avoid them now.

I agree it's over priced but what are the other options?
A few years ago I went with cheaper alternatives (supermarket or deichmans type) and they fell apart within weeks so I ended up back at Clark's which lasted the whole rest of the year. And wasted the £20/child that I originally spent

Completely over rated; never fit both my daughter's slightly wide feet. Left with blisters after selling me what fit (they just go up a size if they don't fit, not width. They usually lasted a year, never wore out and always able to donate to charity after.

I paid little extra for independent fitters, always came away with German/Italian brands. Ricosta, elefanten

@morriseysquif I saw it online, here’s a link to an article about the offer - should be useful for some parents www.google.co.uk/amp/s/metro.co.uk/2020/07/27/parents-can-swap-clarks-school-shoes-free-kids-grow-before-february-13044173/amp/

They have cheaper pairs available....?

This is the light up pair 'inspired by gaming'

It's not the price, that's about right in comparison to how expensive they used to be.
However, I found the quality was greatly reduced several years ago, and no way would I pay that much for the lack of quality they are now.

Any leather shoes would be better, from any other shop.

I agree! I was thinking is it just me or does anyone else find Clark’s extortionate ?
I’ve two children and £88 for school shoes too much for me.

Well they have to cover the new guarantee.

I have this argument all the time with our cm who swears by Clarks. We have revisited several times in the past 10 years and always find them overpriced and poor quality. Ds gets through shoes at an alarming pace, no point paying through the nose for a pair of shoes that are unlikely to last longer than a cheap pair from Tesco.

DS starts school nursery in two weeks time. I was looking at Clark's, but he's going through shoes and clothes like no tomorrow (3.5 and in 4-5/6 clothes and size 9 feet). So I stumbled across some Nike trainers for £21 on their website. They last well, are comfortable and half the price of Clarks!

I go to the clarks outlet, got a air reduced to £30, much more palatable and the same service as any other Clarkes shops

I wouldn't be surprised if they have put the price up to cover the replacement thing they have put in place. We started off with Clark's but they didn't last so we are trying kickers this year.

I went to the clarks outlet and only cost £26 for my DD's school shoes. The boys I buy cheaper as from running around at break only last a couple of months no matter how cheap or expensive a shoe is.

M&S school shoes are good quality but more in the £25-35 range than £50!

I’ve spent £95 on DS’ school shoes this morning at Clark’s (men’s shoes). Feel a bit sick 😆 Will get organised earlier in future and shop around 😬

Clark's have always been expensive, but they used to be the Gold Standard for quality. Now they're just shit, as well as expensive.

If you get the kind without the LED lights built in, they're 20% cheaper. Unnecessary add-ons drive up price.

www.clarks.co.uk/c/Scape-Track-Kid/p/26151039

What’s the alternative for a pair of leather shoes? I don’t want a pair of disposable shoes.

Went to Clark’s earlier this week because I needed to get the kids feet measured. Went to look in TK Maxx to see if they had anything in those sizes. Nothing. Looked in JD Sports. Nothing. Couldn’t think of another shoe shop in my town so went into Clark’s & spent £96 on two kids.

They have not lost the plot, it was lost a while ago.

Maintaining a high street presence, with all the overheads, for something that needs to have a large variety (sizes, styles) and given that most people have trainers etc (and are prepared to pay more and expect lower quality). They have not really diversified enough.

I just paid £38 for my DDs Reception school shoes at Clarks. While this still felt a lot (too) much- I don't agree with AriettyHomily that all their girls shoes are daft (though if you mean non-school shoes agree as I've never been tempted to buy Clarks before). The supermarket girls school shoes are so tacky and cheap looking- all these trashy extra embellishments butterflies/sparkles/ blocky heels etc- so Clarks simple but gorgeous mary-janes with Velcro strap it was. They are absolutely gorgeous and DD loves them, actually glad I shelled out the extra. Similar were actually more- nearer the £50 mark at John Lewis.

Happily buy my DS shoes from Tesco/Sainsburys though as find the boys shoes much better quality.

i was such a bad mother, according to some mners, all my 6 dc shoes came from shoe zone and as their feet grew quickly i was usually replacing them. but having said that, the dc survived not having brand shoes and their feet are all fine as adults.

So expensive! What annoys me is that businesses dont pay tax on children's shoes and they don't pass on the savings

Stopped buying Clark’s back when DD1 was at school, she’s 24 now. The shoes always peeled at the front after a few weeks.

Tesco or M&S all the way now.