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?

@caringcarer

I send my dd money to buy Clarke's shoes for dgc. One has a wide fitting and I worry his foot would be squashed in a supermarket standard size. She has told me she can't afford Clarke's.

Next do wide fit kids shoes too.

Tbh, the fitters at Clarks aren't that great any more in my experience. Had a few returns. And poor quality. And mis-sizing to get a sale.

I think nursing and midwifery students keep them going with their unloops range

@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 love their heeled shoes, i have terribly weak ankles and they're the only heels I feel truly comfortable and confident walking in.

I know there are obviously a lot of people financially struggling but still clearly a lot of people with money to burn. £1m plus houses going on days round here in south london, nothing special just semis. There’s still a lot of people doing very nicely out the Tories

Have you looked at Clarks outlet online? They are really good value.

I love Clarks shoes but refuse to pay £80-£100 for a pair of shoes now. There was a huge hike a few years ago and everything shot up by about 30 quid.

I think £80 for work shoes is ok
They are reasonable quality and considering the amount of wear they get not really too expensive
And they often have 20% off

MsVestibule

The same happened to us. I've been buying school shoes for years from there, when my son was far more rough and tumble and they always lasted.

I got him measured & bought some in September for approximately £50. Two weeks ago the side split.

He's opted for a pair of Clarke's men's boots in his size, in the sale. So we shall see if they last.

wore Clarks for years because they didn’t give my bunion any trouble. but i love Ecco when i can afford it and Clarks boot designs have got a bit too funky for my liking. still go for the kids school shoes and even the trainers, there are some really good designs that are made to last the year and save me the pain of shopping around.

I have a lot of Clark’s boots, admittedly I buy many from the outlets or sale but I really like some of their shoes and boots, they generally last a while and are usually leather not leatherette and are comfortable.

I also like the half sizes as I am a five and a half and often have to go up to a six.

I bought a pair of work leather shoes for the office from Clarks a few years ago and they are still going strong although I wore them every day in the week for 3 years non stop. The last 2 pairs of boots/shoes I bought were from Schuh and Dune, costed about the same as the Clarke ones and a year on they are shapeless, needed re-heeling, are really cold in the winter as have no proper lining.. etc.. Clarks shoes might not have the most fashionable designs but you’ll get a good quality, long lasting pair of shoes.

Had a quick look at the website and the prices do seem to have gone up a lot. Currently still wearing the boots I got from them in probably 2019, which I think were £60 or £65. Similar model now is nearly £90.

I will continue to buy from Clark’s. I have very narrow feet and struggle to get shoes to fit elsewhere

For people who have bought boots from them in the past few months, since the equity takeover, have you noticed a difference in quality?

@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.

I'd try taking them back, especially if they haven't been used inappropriately ie football etc. They might replace them free of charge, I've heard of them doing this before.

Ball kicking DS age 14, heavy footed and walks over cobbles to and from his school, is in his second year of a pair of Clark's school shoes. They cost £50 and come up beautifully when polished. They will last until July easily. I'll take that.

To the previous poster who asked about children's half sizes - marks and Spencer do them and Next. I usually get my kids measured in Clarkes for school shoes then buy elsewhere 🙃

If the sole is loose, have you considered a proper cobbler? Mine mendsshoes to like new condition.

@Gizacluethen- Buy anything else but socks and underwear used for children, but NEVER buy secondhand shoes. Shoes take a shape to the foot as they are worn. If put on another’s child’s foot, it will cause pain and distortion of your own child’s foot that will cause trouble later in childhood and adulthood. It’s a false economy, and most unwholesome.

I always go back to them for work shoes as I'm walking back and forth for 8 hours a day at work. I've tried cheaper shoes with good quality soles but they don't last that long. For the sake of comfort and good support in a work shoe I would pay £90. I'd just prioritise that spend over other things.

Clarks is one of the few quality shoe shops left. Some of it is frumpy and that does take the glam out the shopping experience but there are lots of gems in there. I have 3 or 4 pairs of Clark's shoes at the moment and they have lasted Years. Yabu

What else is there at that sort of price point now that is trendy and/or elegant?

Jones (fewer by the minute but still stock Josef Siebel)
Carvela (unseen for years)
Ravel (gone)
Elliot (gone)
Bally (gone)

What do we have now:
Hotter
Ecco
Gabor
Moshulu
One or two independents that stock a mixture of Gabor, Geox, Van Dal, Vionics, River, etc.

And for special occasions:
Russell & Bromley
Ferragamo
L K Bennet (are they bust?)

Super make taking off in France called Bobbies, available from Harvey Nichols.

Trainers and plimsolls
Trainers and plimsolls
Trainers and plimsolls

From teens until my 30s I wouldn't have been seen dead in Clarks.

I had a pair of boots for Christmas then in my early 30s - lasted about 10 years before they became too worn. I loved them! So although they cost about £90, they were well worth it.

My favourite flat boots are Clarks and I just bought a new pair of black heeled boots. I also have a couple of pairs of heeled shoes from there. Usually buy from the outlet or at least wait until there is an offer, so don't normally spend more than £40 or £50 which you would pay in Next. Clarks generally fit me well and they are good quality.

This thread has just reminded me, I saw some toe zone shoes in sainsburys that look very similar to my son’s Clark’s school shoes but are less than half the price…has anyone bought these for their kids? Do they last? Trying to think of ways to cut down 😣

@SherryPalmer

Clarks are a global brand with loads of stores in Asia, US and Europe where they seem to be branded a bit more upmarket (and in lots of countries don’t sell kids shoes at all). I’m not sure that their UK business is that important to them anymore.

Very popular with the Chinese market apparently. I loved next door to an outlet and they had your buses multiple times per day of Asian tourists who wanted to bring Clark’s shoes home