Clarks
Viva Goods (majority shareholder) · United Kingdom
Clarks is a British footwear company founded in Street, Somerset, in 1825 by brothers Cyrus and James Clark. Since a 2020 rescue, control has passed from the Clark family to Hong Kong-listed Viva Goods, which Wikipedia lists as holding 51 per cent. Clarks is known for the Desert Boot, the Wallabee and children's school shoes.
| Founded | 1825, Street, Somerset |
|---|---|
| Founders | Cyrus Clark and James Clark |
| Owner | Viva Goods (51 per cent) and Clark family (49 per cent) |
| Headquarters | Street, Somerset, United Kingdom |
| Icons | Desert Boot, Wallabee |
| Website | clarks.com |
What is Clarks?
Clarks, legally C. & J. Clark International Limited, is a British shoe manufacturer and retailer headquartered in Street, Somerset. Its website describes it as "Shoemakers Since 1825". It sells men's, women's and children's footwear, including the Clarks Originals line.
History
Clarks began in 1825 when Quaker Cyrus Clark started a business in Street making leather goods. His brother James came up with the idea of making slippers from leather off-cuts, and the firm traded as C. & J. Clark from 1833. The Desert Boot, designed by Nathan Clark, launched in 1950, and the moccasin-style Wallabee became another icon with strong ties to Jamaican, Manchester and New York culture.
Production moved to Asian suppliers from 2005, and the last UK factory closed in 2019. In 2020 Hong Kong investment firm LionRock Capital rescued the company, ending Clark family control. In February 2023 LionRock sold its remaining indirect stake to Viva China Holdings, now Viva Goods, which Wikipedia lists as owning 51 per cent alongside the family's 49 per cent.
Products and positioning
Clarks occupies the mid-market. Its range includes:
- Clarks Originals such as the Desert Boot and Wallabee
- Comfort shoes and sandals for adults
- Children's school and everyday shoes
- Trainers, including the Cloudsteppers comfort line
Business model and distribution
Clarks combines its own stores with wholesale, franchise partners and e-commerce. Wikipedia reports 320 stores in the UK and Ireland as of October 2023, plus franchises in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. In 2025 the company opened a Shoemakers Museum in Street to mark its heritage.
Why it matters
Clarks is one of Britain's oldest consumer brands and a case study in how family-owned manufacturers have navigated offshoring, high-street decline and a change to Asian ownership. Its iconic Originals give it cultural reach far beyond its core comfort and school shoe business.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Clarks?
Clarks is majority owned by Hong Kong-listed Viva Goods, formerly Viva China, which Wikipedia lists with a 51 per cent stake, while the Clark family holds 49 per cent. Family control ended after a 2020 rescue by LionRock Capital.
Where is Clarks from?
Clarks is a British brand founded in 1825 in Street, Somerset, where it is still headquartered.