200 years of history, 20,000-plus recently unveiled its AW20 line of products to its key retail partners at wholesale selling points across segment. Clarks, which has a joint venture (JV) with Future Group in India, recently unveiled its AW20 line of products to its key retail partners at their tradeshow in Mumbai.
The attendees at the event included the who’s who of the footwear business right from the Managing Director of Metro Shoes Rafique Malik, Amin Virji, MD Inc5, Imran Virji MD Regal Shoes, Kumar Niteesh CEO Reliance Footwear, Satyanarayana, CEO Sridevi Associates, key distribution partner for Clarks, Sunil Shah CEO Metmill Group, key account partner for Large Format business and many more industry stalwarts.
The event was also graced by Sridhar, CEO, Centro Shoes, Anuj Chawla, and CEO Delco Shoes besides the brand’s export partners from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. The event also saw in attendance the existing franchisee partners of Clarks viz SSIPL and R V Fashions and also the prospective partners.
As a mark of support for the brand Aqeel Ahmed Chairman Council for Leather Exports also tended the brand evening and shared his valuable inputs on Indian footwear industry.
Speaking on the sidelines of a pre-event meet on AW2020 tradeshow, Dr. N Mohan, executive director & CEO, Clarks Future Footwear said the company witnessed growth during 2019, selling 900,000 pairs compared to over 500,000 pairs of footwear in the previous year. Plans are to increase this to 1.4 million pairs during 2020. The sale by retail value for the company in India is around Rs 350 crore, of which net sale value is Rs 180 crore. The expectation is that the sales by retail value will grow close to Rs 500 crore. Almost 50-60 per cent of the products it sells in India are sourced from within India.
“We have increased our footprint pan India in the last one year. We did a complete rethink on our strategy. Increasing the foot print, creating market apt products, highlighting our technology and products are the key strategies allowing the brand to grow by 45% over last year,” said Dr. Mohan
2020 will be a huge year for the brand as we celebrate and build upon our legacy , with a particular focus on reinventing on today’s consumer and tomorrow’s world. After building the base in FY 19-20 the brand is all set to be present across 800+ doors in India.
The recent tradeshow had over 400 product options across both men and women.The brand has made some concerted efforts towards product segmentation to build a strong brand in the Indian market.
At the heart of everything in 2020 will be the iconic desert boot celebrating its 70th year, its story embodies and celebrates all the unique attributes , from its pioneering beginnings to its simplicity of design and enduring style that’s been adopted by subcultures the world over.
Designed in 1949 by Nathan Clark, the desert boot was inspired by a rough boot from Cairo’s Old Bazaar. An instant hit, it became the footwear choice for off-duty army officers.
From the array of products on offer in AW 20, Kaylin Cara and Pure 2 Loafer need a special mention. Kaylin Cara is its gorgeous black leather court shoe with an almond toe and wearable. It has leather upper leather sock and lining and also has sole of resin rubber. The shoe is also inbuilt with Cushion Plus technology, these shoes offer targeted cushioning that reduces strain on the ball of the foot, making them perfect for work or special occasions. Pure 2 Loafer shoe is made up of leather upper, lining and sock and sole has resin rubber. It is very trendy and light weight shoe that gives your feet comfort.
It’s this authenticity that truly defines us, that makes us who we are – experts in crafting shoes that help people live their lives and we shall continue to do so, it claims
