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?

For me, Clark’s is really catering to a young kid or older retired person demographic, it’s not really aiming at the mid ground, and I think that’s ok. They have never really been about fashion forward. They are more safe, staid, reliable, decent quality for young or old.

Other than wellies ever pair of shoes and slippers that myself and DH own are from Clarks, some pairs are nearly 20 years old. All of my handbags come from there too.

My local Clarks closed a few months ago, and I wondered if it was the beginning of the end for them.

I have funny feet (narrowish, high instep, and one nearly half a size bigger than the other) and Clarks and Jones Bootmaker were the only affordable shops where I knew I'd be able to find shoes that actually fitted. Kurt Geiger and Russell & Bromley shoes fit too, but are out of my price range unless there's a sale on.

If Clarks goes, and with Jones Bootmaker appearing to close branches, I can see me wearing my Birkies all year round.

I only buy my daughters (and soon my sons) shoes from Clark's as I need to get them measured every time as they grow so fast and they check the fit as she's too little to tell me herself if they fit. Once she's old enough to verbalise it herself, we'll be going elsewhere as they are really expensive. I only shop at the outlet though so they are slightly cheaper than normal but still crazy prices

I always buy Clark's shoes. Bought two pairs of boots a few months ago!

I cant say I'm a big Clarks fan but where else can you try on shoes (measured, for kids) these days?

And to be fair I picked up a pair of lace up boots in there a few winters ago, they are so so comfortable and while I have had the heel sole replaced they are still going strong. I'd definitely by boots there again!

I've been really disappointed with boots else where, either not comfortable or poor quality / wear out quickly.

I think Clarks and Hotter are pretty good quality and are comfortable. I have large wide feet though so options are more restricted.

I like Clarks shoes and find the quality to be really good. A pair of boots I wear regularly have lasted about 4 years so far and still look like new.
I saw some wedges though that were lovely but £80! Not a chance.
It also annoys me that they make shoes size 14 but you can only buy them through specialist shops and not direct through Clark’s. It’s a nightmare getting shoes for DH

@Sapphirejane I agree. A lot of the shoes sold as “leather” are diabolical. I’m (fortunately) at an age and stage in my life that life’s too short to have sore feet from bad shoes!

I’ve never rated Clark’s particularly highly for their kids’ shoes either, some of the continental brands are much better quality, such as Naturino and Elefanten, but they’re not cheap and you just have to do the best you can with wha5 you have available

Do not even get me started on their kids shoes. My toddler is a size 6. £45 for her TINY shoes 😱😱 I said no thanks & walked to Next and got two pairs for £17 each. Next do half sizes & wide fit & their quality is excellent.

But I queued round the shop to get DDs feet measured so clearly people are willing to pay their bonkers prices. They really have the market on kids shoes, where else can you get your kids feet measured?! And they seem to have this untouchable reputation as the only shop to sell decent kids shoes my mum is constantly telling me I must buy Clarks, they are the only shop that sells supportive shoes

I couldn't buy shoes for DD from Clarks last September.

She was a size 7, but she has ridiculously wide feet (wider than H).

No shoe fitted her, even in the women's section.

No shoe in Shoezone, Next or M&S fitted either.

Went to an independent shoe shop, where we found a pair that fitted. They were a patent shoe, by Geox. They cost nearly £60. Gamechanger I thought...

Never again. The patent bit came off the toes, not so bad. But the sides on the inner feet on both shoes has come apart (probably where her width pushed against them).

I'm now going to have to buy a new pair. Not sure where, but don't fancy paying £££ for shoes that fall apart, and certainly never patent again.

At least Clarks lasted longer than Geox, unfortunately they don't fit 11 year olds with unusual feet.

I am surprised any adults still buy from Clark's tbh.

£90 isn't a huge amount of money to spend on shoes, but it seems excessive for Clark's.

I really like their ankle boots, always seem to fit my feet well, but otherwise wouldn't really think of getting any of my other shoes there.

I’ve never bought shoes from Clarks as an adult, to me they are an ‘old people’ brand 😂 but I live in trainers from Nike or Addidas and I buy boots & sandals from Schuh or Office..

I like their plain styles. They do a 5.5 size which isn’t available everywhere and I’d rather pay a bit more for leather.

I have often bought shoes there, but did get stung a few months ago. I don't mind paying £60-£70 for really good quality basics like the Hamble brogues or Chelsea boots, because they look good for a long time, and above all are really comfortable (much more so than expensive more high end brands that I have tried). What I didn't realise is they charge the same and more for what I would call the more frivolous fashion styles...last September I bought some pumps, along the lines of Converse type style but one solid colour, in a nice colour with a bit of detail on them, and nearly fell over when I realised they were £90. These were the type of shoes that I don't expect to last and the pair they were replacing had been £15 in Tesco. I did get them because I was buying 2 pairs of kids shoes at the time and expected a huge bill and didn't realise until I got home that the bulk of if was my silly pink pumps!

The Clarks outlet has some good bargains, I ordered a pair of black leather ankle boots last week for about £30, proper price should have been about £80.
I'm still wearing Clarks Artisan winter boots which I bought about 10 years ago, they're indestructible!

There used to be a branch in the town I lived in a few years back. I always thought Clarks had a slightly naff/frumpy reputation, but I needed some work shoes once, so I thought I’d take a look. I found some on sale in brown and asked the assistant for the other shoe (it was one of those sale racks where they only put half the pair on display). She brought out a pale grey shoe. I said ‘No, that’s the wrong one; these are brown’. She said, ‘No, it’s the right one - it’s just faded because they’re old stock. That’s why they’re reduced’.

She seemed genuinely bewildered that I didn’t want to buy a ‘pair’ of shoes that were two different colours. I never went back.

@JudgeRindersMinder - thank you I had not heard of those brands and will have a look. DS is tiny and I am struggling to find good brands which start small enough. I kept him bare foot/ in soft soles for as long as possible but now he wants to walk outside he needs proper shoes.

@Deliaskis

I have often bought shoes there, but did get stung a few months ago. I don't mind paying £60-£70 for really good quality basics like the Hamble brogues or Chelsea boots, because they look good for a long time, and above all are really comfortable (much more so than expensive more high end brands that I have tried). What I didn't realise is they charge the same and more for what I would call the more frivolous fashion styles...last September I bought some pumps, along the lines of Converse type style but one solid colour, in a nice colour with a bit of detail on them, and nearly fell over when I realised they were £90. These were the type of shoes that I don't expect to last and the pair they were replacing had been £15 in Tesco. I did get them because I was buying 2 pairs of kids shoes at the time and expected a huge bill and didn't realise until I got home that the bulk of if was my silly pink pumps!

I'm the same. I think the boot prices for leather that will last and that I know fit me well are ok, but some of the other stuff is just not worth it.

I used to buy my works shoes from there. But they seem to have lost their way a bit so I tend to get them from M&S now.

I find them overpriced and not very good quality. When my child was very little I bought shoes from there due them growing fit etc. But now my child is a lot older I would think twice about buying shoes from them.

[quote Sapphirejane]@JudgeRindersMinder - thank you I had not heard of those brands and will have a look. DS is tiny and I am struggling to find good brands which start small enough. I kept him bare foot/ in soft soles for as long as possible but now he wants to walk outside he needs proper shoes.[/quote]
@Sapphirejane if you can find an independent shoe shop you’ll probably find they have a lot of different brands for you to try. They’re never cheap, but footwear was something I prioritised when my kids were young

Personally, I don't find the prices unreasonable. You put for what you you get.
I don't own a single pair of shoes that are less than £50, as whenever I have bought cheaper the quality has been poor and my feet have suffered for it.

I've only ever bought children's shoes from there because I'm size 9 with very wide feet, but I stopped 3 or 4 years ago when I bought school shoes for both my girls and they feel apart within 3 months. Now only go to Start-Rite or Geox, and my elder daughter has a pair from Next that have lasted 2 years!