GABOR SHOES

The business began in 1924 with the opening of a shoe shop in Middlesbrough. From small beginnings The Clinkard Group has now grown to be the leading Independent Footwear Retailer in the North East and one of the largest Independents in the UK. The current Managing Director - Charles Clinkard - is the grandson of the founders and continues the values that have established the business.

The group consists of two key components: Charles Clinkard, which is the retail arm, and Intershoe the wholesale operation. There are considerable cross divisional benefits helping us to achieve good growth and relationships with our business partners. The Clinkard Group Ltd is almost unique in that, from its retail background selling premium branded merchandise, it has expanded into wholesaling and distribution. The result is that the two divisions, trading as Charles Clinkard and Intershoe respectively, are able to exchange information with mutual benefits.

Through reinvesting profits, the Group has expanded the business to a point where annual turnover now represents sales of footwear in excess of thirty million pounds and employment is provided for more than 450 people. Looking forward, we aim to strengthen our position through continually reviewing our business strategy and building on our core strengths.