C&J Clark
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| C. and J. Clark Ltd | |
|---|---|
| Type | Private |
| Founded | 1825 |
| Founder | Cyrus Clark and James Clark |
| Headquarters | Street, England |
| Area served | United States, Europe, Far East, Japan |
| Industry | High street retail |
| Products | Footwear |
| Website | www.clarks.com |
C. and J. Clark Ltd, better known as Clarks, is a high-end British shoe manufacturer with a high street retail operation. The business is based in Street, Somerset, England.
[edit] History
Started in 1825, by Quaker brothers Cyrus and James Clark, as a business making sheepskin rugs and slippers, using out-workers in the village, it has expanded to become a global shoe brand, with operations in the United States, Europe and the Far East and Japan.
For much of the life of the business, the company manufactured its own shoes in Somerset, building several factories in the area. The company's Quaker ethos made provision for workers' housing, education and leisure activities, while its keen social conscience kept Street 'dry' for many years. Rising costs and low productivity forced production abroad, and while shoe design is still predominantly done in the United Kingdom, manufacturing is contracted out to India, China and Vietnam. In 1993, redundant buildings at its Street site were opened as Clarks Village, the UK's first outlet shopping centre.
[edit] Homages
Rappers Method Man and Ghostface Killah, both of the Wu-Tang Clan, have mentioned Clarks Wallabee shoes in their songs and they appear on the cover of Ghostface Killah's album, Ironman.
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Bostonian Shoes official website - Division of Clarks Companies North America (CCNA)
- Indigo by Clarks official website - Division of Clarks Companies North America (CCNA)
- Privo official website - Division of Clarks Companies North America (CCNA)
- William Stephens Clark, in the Dictionary of National Biography
