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{{
{{For|persons named Clark|Clark}}
⚫
Clarks shoes are popular in Jamaica — thanks to Jamaican dancehall artist [[Vybz Kartel]].<ref name="guardian"/> In some cases, shops are sold out and thieves target them.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.jamaica-star.com/thestar/20100427/news/news1.html |first=Rasbert |last=Turner |title=Stores robbed of Clarks shoes |newspaper=Jamaica Star |date=27 April 2010 |accessdate=12 December 2011}}</ref> Local music star Vybz Kartel released a single called "Clarks" with the cover carrying pictures of his favourite styles — Wallabees, Desert Boots, and Desert Treks. The dancehall track features the catchy chorus line: "Everybody haffi ask weh mi get mi Clarks". Clarks is a very good company.The lyrics refer to [[Elizabeth II]] wearing them.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jun/24/clarks-originals-vybz-kartel-reggae |title=Vybz Kartel puts Clarks footprint on Jamaica |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |first=Jesse |last=Serwer |date=24 June 2010 |accessdate=24 October 2012}}</ref>
{{Infobox company
nd [[Robbie Williams]] have been spotted wearing them.<ref name="guardian" />
|name = C. and J. Clark International Ltd
|logo = [[File:Clarks logo.svg|200px]]
|type = [[Private company|Private]]
|genre =
|foundation = 1825
|founder = Cyrus Clark and James Clark
|location_city = [[Street, Somerset]]
|location_country = [[England]]
|location =
|locations =
|area_served = Global
|industry = [[High street]] [[retail]]
|products = [[Footwear]]
|Brands = Bostonian Shoes; Clarks Shoes; Desert Boots; Elefanten Shoes; K Shoes; Ravel Shoes
|homepage = {{URL|http://www.clarks.co.uk}}
|footnotes =
}}

[[File:Street Somt ClarksHQ.jpg|thumb|right|upright|C & J Clark company headquarters]]
[[File:Clarks Shoes - Crown Point Retail Park - geograph.org.uk - 1145754.jpg|thumb|right|A large Clarks outlet in [[Leeds]], <br>[[West Yorkshire]]]]
[[File:Clarks Joyance 1950s.jpg|thumb|Clarks "Joyance" [[T-Bar Sandals|T-bar sandals]]; 1930s to 1970s]]

'''C. and J. Clark International Ltd''', trading as '''Clarks''', is a British, international [[shoe]] manufacturer and retailer based in [[Street, Somerset]], England. For the year ending January 2010, the company made a profit of £125 million on sales of £1,174m,<ref name=finperf>{{cite web |url= http://www.fasttrack.co.uk/fasttrack/leagues/dbDetails.asp?siteID=4&compID=716&yr=2010 |title= Clarks |publisher= Fastrack |work= 2010 Top Track 100 |accessdate= 21 December 2010}}</ref> making it the 33rd largest private company in the UK.<ref name=finperf/> It is 81% owned by the Clark family, with the remaining 19% held by employees and related institutions.<ref name=finperf/> In 2011, the company had around 1,000 stores in 160 countries.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news | url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/mar/09/chinese-love-clarks-shoes |title=How the Chinese fell in love with Clarks shoes|first=Patrick |last=Barkham |newspaper=The Guardian |date=9 March 2011 |accessdate=24 October 2012 }}</ref>

==History==
Started in 1825, by [[Quakers|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 Europe, the United States and the Far East.<ref name="sutton">{{cite book|last=Sutton|first=George Barry|title=C&J Clark 1833-1903: History of shoemaking in Street, Somerset|year=1979|isbn=0-900657-44-8}}</ref>

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 '[[teetotal|dry]]' for many years.<ref name="sutton"/> Rising costs and low productivity prompted the company to move production abroad, and while shoe design is still predominantly done in the United Kingdom, all manufacturing has now moved to India, Brazil, Cambodia, China, and Vietnam. In 1993, redundant buildings at its Street site were opened as [[Clarks Village]], which includes more than 90 shops. There are also coffee shops, refreshment stalls, and a dining area shared by fast food chains, mostly selling goods at a discount to high street prices.<ref name="REALM corporate brochure">{{cite web |url= http://www.realm.ltd.uk/images/corporate-brochure.pdf |format=PDF |publisher= REALM |title= REALM corporate brochure |page=11 }}</ref>

Clarks has created a number of iconic styles during its history, including the Clarks "Wallabee", the Clarks "Desert Boot", and the Clarks "Playdeck" sandal.

The "Playdeck" sandal was made for men, women and children, from the 1950s to the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.clarks.co.uk/HistoryandHeritage_1946-1990 |title=History 1946-1990 |publisher=Clarks Shoes |accessdate=7 December 2010}}</ref> A popular style of sandal, it consisted of a flat crepe sole unit, a leather insole, a plain ankle strap and two buckling straps, one at the instep and the other at the toes. It came in a variety of colours, but most popular were bamboo(tan), navy blue and white. Clarks reintroduced an almost exact copy of the original Playdeck style in their Spring 2010 Originals range, with a style called Kestral Soar, which is virtually identical to Playdeck save for a very small wedge in the heel.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.clarksshoesforwomen.com/ |title=About & Historic Timeline |publisher=Clarks shoes for women |accessdate=7 December 2010}}</ref>

Clarks Companies North America's logistic centre is based in [[Hanover, Pennsylvania]], near the Maryland state line.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.manta.com/c/mmd4v9s/clarks-co-north-america |title=Clarks CO North America, C & J Clark America, Inc |publisher=Manta |accessdate=7 December 2010}}</ref> In the recent years of growth, this facility was deemed a Federal Trade Zone, and has expanded its warehousing locations across town.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2002/01/30/02-2257/grant-of-authority-for-subzone-status-candj-clark-america-inc-distribution-facility-footwear-hanover | title=Grant of Authority for Subzone Status; C&J Clark America, Inc. Distribution Facility (Footwear), Hanover, PA |publisher=Federal Register |accessdate=7 December 2010}}</ref>

⚫
Clarks shoes are popular in Jamaica — thanks to Jamaican dancehall artist [[Vybz Kartel]].<ref name="guardian"/> In some cases, shops are sold out and thieves target them.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.jamaica-star.com/thestar/20100427/news/news1.html |first=Rasbert |last=Turner |title=Stores robbed of Clarks shoes |newspaper=Jamaica Star |date=27 April 2010 |accessdate=12 December 2011}}</ref> Local music star Vybz Kartel released a single called "Clarks" with the cover carrying pictures of his favourite styles — Wallabees, Desert Boots, and Desert Treks. The dancehall track features the catchy chorus line: "Everybody haffi ask weh mi get mi Clarks". The lyrics refer to [[Elizabeth II]] wearing them.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jun/24/clarks-originals-vybz-kartel-reggae |title=Vybz Kartel puts Clarks footprint on Jamaica |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |first=Jesse |last=Serwer |date=24 June 2010 |accessdate=24 October 2012}}</ref>

Clarks have become known for their ranges of children's shoes and advertisement campaigns based upon the "Back to School" time of year.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.clarks.co.uk/Back-To-School/guide |title=Back to School with Clarks |publisher=Clarks |accessdate=7 December 2010}}</ref> The brand's reputation has also been boosted amongst adults, as musicians such as [[Florence Welch]], [[Nick Cave]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Dizzee Rascal]] and [[Robbie Williams]] have been spotted wearing them.<ref name="guardian" />


C & J Clark brands include Clarks; Pr!vo (pronounced "Privo"); Indigo; Bostonian;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vansmensshoes.com/clarks-bostonian.html | title=Clarks Bostonian |publisher=Vans Men's Shoes |accessdate=7 December 2010}}</ref> K Shoes; and Ravel Shoes.
C & J Clark brands include Clarks; Pr!vo (pronounced "Privo"); Indigo; Bostonian;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vansmensshoes.com/clarks-bostonian.html | title=Clarks Bostonian |publisher=Vans Men's Shoes |accessdate=7 December 2010}}</ref> K Shoes; and Ravel Shoes.

Revision as of 17:14, 10 November 2012

{{ Clarks shoes are popular in Jamaica — thanks to Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel.[1] In some cases, shops are sold out and thieves target them.[2] Local music star Vybz Kartel released a single called "Clarks" with the cover carrying pictures of his favourite styles — Wallabees, Desert Boots, and Desert Treks. The dancehall track features the catchy chorus line: "Everybody haffi ask weh mi get mi Clarks". Clarks is a very good company.The lyrics refer to Elizabeth II wearing them.[3] nd Robbie Williams have been spotted wearing them.[1]

C & J Clark brands include Clarks; Pr!vo (pronounced "Privo"); Indigo; Bostonian;[4] K Shoes; and Ravel Shoes.

Timeline

1825: Cyrus Clark founds a tanning and wool stapling business in the village of Street, in Somerset, England.[5]

1828: Joined by brother James, Clark begins producing sheepskin slippers, called the Brown Peter.[5]

1833: James becomes a full partner; business is renamed C&J Clark Ltd.[5]

1863: William Clark, son of James Clark, takes over the company.[5]

1893: The introduction of the "Hygienic" line of shoes begins the company's focus as a "comfort" shoemaker.[6]

1937: The company acquires a retail shoe store chain and renames it Peter Lord.[6]

1950: The company launches the successful Desert Boot.

1965: The first Clark Wallabee model is launched.[6]

1978: The company acquires the Hanover Shoe manufacturing and retail business in the United States.[6]

1979: The company acquires the Bostonian shoe manufacturing and retail business in the United States.[6]

1981: The company acquires K Shoes Ltd., a U.K.-based shoe manufacturer and retailer.[6]

1988: C&J Clark abandons its plans to go public.[6]

1993: The company puts itself up for sale, then rejects an offer to buy from Berisford.[6]

1996: The company begins restructuring, transforming itself from a manufacturing-oriented business to a consumer-driven, design-oriented branded products group.[6]

2000: The company announces that it has decided not to go public for the near future.[6]

2001: The company acquires Elefanten, a children's shoe manufacturer in Germany.[6]

2005: Clarks ends shoe manufacturing in Somerset.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference guardian was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Turner, Rasbert (27 April 2010). "Stores robbed of Clarks shoes". Jamaica Star. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  3. ^ Serwer, Jesse (24 June 2010). "Vybz Kartel puts Clarks footprint on Jamaica". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  4. ^ "Clarks Bostonian". Vans Men's Shoes. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference sutton was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "C&J Clark International Ltd. Business Information, Profile, and History". Jrank. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  7. ^ "Clarks ends shoemaking in Somerset". BBC. 2005. Retrieved 24 October 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
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