Clinkard Group defies difficult market

Jul 7 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal

SHOE firm the Clinkard Group has almost doubled its pre-tax profits despite the recession and says it its confident of further progress even thought the retail market remains challenging.

The Stockton-based business, which retails, imports and acts as a wholesaler for footwear, reported pre-tax profits of £1.23m in the year to January 30, up from £666,000 during the previous 12 months. Turnover was up from £31.6m to £32.1m.

The group said: “The business has performed well in a difficult trading environment and recorded a further increase in turnover. The retail website which has just completed its fifth full year’s trading continues to produce excellent results.

“In the coming year, the retail climate will continue to be challenging but we are confident of further progress.”

The family firm, which started life as a single shoe shop in Middlesbrough in 1924, is now one of the largest independents in the UK. It is headed by Charles Clinkard, whose grandfather founded the business.

Clinkard now has more than 35 shops spreading from Bristol in the South West to Kirkcaldy in Fife in Scotland. Two and a half years ago, it added 12 Stead & Simpson stores to its retail wing.

The company also supplies and distributes footwear in the UK and Ireland through its Intershoe brand. During the year, Clinkard donated £5,120 to UK charities.