To thinks Clarks shoe shop can’t last?

[mightyducks]

Just been in for a browse. Need a new pair of work shoes, admittedly I haven’t bought any for a couple of years because of WFH , but bought from them not that long ago, shoes were around £40-£50 . Just picked up a pair, just plain black shoes, smart for work , they were £89! AIBU to think at these prices the vast majority of people just won’t shop there anymore and it will close?

I think the only things that keep them going are first shoes and childrens school shoes - and even they're not good anymore

I can't remember when I last bought shoes for me from Clarkes. Even kids' shoes I now buy online or from supermarkets. I certainly couldn't justify spending £90 on shoes.

I personally don’t know any adult who buys shoes from there.

I bought shoes for my son from cruisers to school shoes until he got to about 10 years old then apparently they were not cool so now we shop at next for school shoes.

I've recently bought a pair of school shoes for DD, but I think it will be the last pair I buy from there. She needed to get her feet measured and then I felt obliged to buy.

£46 for a pair of plain black shoes. But she is a 1/2 size and I don't know anywhere that does half sizes of decent quality

I agree their only saving grace are the children’s shoes.

Thats not overly expensive if you compare to some high end shops like Reiss, Ted Baker etc, Clarks has always been more expensive and there will always be people happy to pay those prices

I agree, I used to buy work shoes there but they have gone beyond their achievable price point now.

DS(7) prefers Froddo or Camper, which cost about the same and are noticeably better shoes.

I bought some shoes there, nice ballet flats. The price isn't the issue for me, it's the lack of plain styles that I look to somewhere like Clarks for. They've gone in for every fashion shoe trend - that's not what I want from them.

My work shoes are clarks. No where else does similar shoes of anywhere near the same quality.
I do tend to look online for an independent shoe shop which had some in stock so have managed to get the last 2 pairs for less than Clarks prices.
Still their brand though so funding them i guess.

I've always bought school shoes from Clark's for my children. I bought DS(13) a pair of what looked like solid, good quality school shoes from there in September for £50. The front bit of the sole is now hanging off so I'm going to have to by a replacement pair this afternoon, even though they still fit. He doesn't play football in them, just normal walking about.

If it happens again, I won't be buying from them again - they can't rely on brand loyalty if they produce inferior products.

I was paying £40 for my own shoes about 30 years ago, and that was just from the likes of Next, so it’s a realistic price for decent quality leather shoes, if you’re paying £40 now they’re very unlikely to be leather

Disclaimer: I’m an unapologetic snob about good quality shoes, mainly because I have ridiculous feet

Judging by the queues for school shoes every term, that bit is doing OK.
My husband occasionally buys formal type shoes from them as they have some styles in a 14. I used to like their boots but I haven't bought any for years now.

I love their Hamble Brogues and have a pair of the Cara heels - would happily pay full price for them because they last and are great work shoes.

Saying that the sales are great especially for winter boots!

@MsVestibule

I've always bought school shoes from Clark's for my children. I bought DS(13) a pair of what looked like solid, good quality school shoes from there in September for £50. The front bit of the sole is now hanging off so I'm going to have to by a replacement pair this afternoon, even though they still fit. He doesn't play football in them, just normal walking about.

If it happens again, I won't be buying from them again - they can't rely on brand loyalty if they produce inferior products.

My DS sole came off this week too.

I have a few pairs which I love but I only buy in the sales

Their boots are great, well made and last.

I really like them and most of my shoes have come from there. I do wait to buy in the sales.

My children's shoes come from there too. They have a few pairs gifted to them from Next which are much cheaper feeling in comparison, to me.

I've had one bad experience with one particular design of Clarks shoe, but that was 20 years ago and they refunded me.

I have Hamble brogues, and some Gabor and other sensible heels at work in my drawer, but as I hardly ever need to actually wear them now they will last for years. So I won't be spending money on work shoes at Clark's or anywhere else, and probably a lot of other people are in the same position.

Great quality, long lasting. Buy a pair from there and a pair from next and see which ones are still going strong.

I was paying £40 for my own shoes about 30 years ago, and that was just from the likes of Next, so it’s a realistic price for decent quality leather shoes, if you’re paying £40 now they’re very unlikely to be leather

This!!

Good quality shoes are expensive. If all shoes were leather (like they mainly used to be), well made, and properly, ethically produced, in the UK or Spain/Italy (like they used to be), they would all be a Hell of a lot more expensive! Also I love Clark's sandals, and they do some good lace up boots too, so I vote YABU.

I do agree and I think Clarks is overrated and outdated , and is depending on its name only. But then, so is WH Smiths, and Marks & Spencers. Seems to be enough people with more money than sense to shop at M & S and Clarks Shoes, and I think WH Smiths survives, as they have 100s of branches at train stations and airports.

I hope they keep going as they're the only place I can get my DC's school shoes that fit.
I wouldn't buy my own shoes from there, although I don't think £89 is too bad for a pair of quality shoes that will last years (assuming the quality is still good!) They have sales on fairly regularly too.

My husband gets his Clarks laceup shoes extra width from there. Good quality, 100% leather and they last ages looking good. I like the boots and have got quite a few pairs from there over the years as they do a half size that´s me. I wouldn´t wear non leather shoes in the winter if you paid me and hate cheap shoes. We shall see when my daughter who is 3, grows up a bit if she will wear them to school as I have seen atrocious reviews here. But then, I am in Spain, where good quality footwear abounds.

I agree. I don't mind spending a fair amount on good quality shoes for myself as they tend to last and my feet have stopped growing. Don't see the point for children though, invariably their feet outgrow them before they wear out, and advice is broadly not to sell shoes for developing feet so seems like a waste. Other places have shoes that are decent quality and have decent support inside for less. Unless they come out with some amazing designs or whatever that sets them apart, I'd be amazed I'd they're around for many more years to come.

Rather than the price, I think their bigger problem is that the shops barely have any stocks anymore. The last few times I've been in, when I've asked for my size (pretty normal/average) or a different colour, they just say they'll order them in for tomorrow. No thanks, I'm not trailing back into town tomorrow, I'll just order a few pairs online myself and get them delivered to home for convenience and just post back the ones I don't want/don't fit. What's the point in having bricks n mortar shops if they don't have any stock?? The whole point of "going" shopping is to see the stock in person and try things on!