I think Clark’s may suffer with the cost of living crisis. It’s already clear that lots of goods are considerably more expensive so £90 doesn’t seem that out of line, whilst fewer people may be in a position to afford the prices. It has a reputation as a solid middle class shop so it depends how much cost cutting happens there. If you are on a budget £50 is already too high.
We’d already been told a false story about the true cost of producing clothes and shoes, and told we need to buy new things every five minutes (and been able to with cheap, fast fashion). Not sure of Clark’s ethics, would be disappointed if they didn’t have some.
One reason I would worry about them is they tend to do a lot of 20% discounts, including some which seem to be online only and not featured in store. That tends to suggest a company not confident in their product, devalues the brand and means people are reluctant to bite at full price. It virtually destroyed Gap. In the end everyone mentally deducts 20% from the price, whilst the company anticipates the discount, so the sale price is profitable.
The styles are particularly dull at the moment, and feel primarily designed for an older market, potentially mistaking the general trend for comfortable, flat shoes as people wanting sensible. There are more exciting retailers at the same price bracket, eg Dune. I find the outlet shops particularly bad. The shoes do not seem the same quality and I very rarely see shoes in there which have been in stores, almost like they produce a cheaper range of shoes just to sell here. I suspect Next do this for their sales.
I like the fact they do half sizes but think they are going to have to up their game in the increasingly tough environment they are operating in.