[Exclusive] 'Nostalgic Wallaby'... Clarks UK Headquarters to Restructure Domestic Business

Official Mall Operations End on 22nd Next Month
"Contract Expiration with UK Headquarters"

British casual footwear brand Clarks is directly entering the domestic market. Clarks is a brand that started in 1825 when British brothers Cyrus and James Clark made and sold sheepskin slippers. The brand operates shoes for men, women, and children, as well as the Originals line, which features fashion shoes with a classic sensibility.

According to the distribution industry on the 29th, Pinda Co., Ltd., which has been distributing the Clarks Originals line in Korea, announced that it will close the official Korean online store on the 22nd of next month. Since 2019, Pinda has secured exclusive domestic rights to distribute certain lines of Clarks Originals from Clarks Korea, which holds the distribution rights for Clarks products, and has been operating the business. Clarks Korea holds the overall distribution rights, with Pinda handling the distribution and sales of the Originals line, while other men's and women's products are sold by companies such as Kumkang Shoe. There are no standalone offline stores.

Regarding this, Pinda explained, "We have been responsible for operating the official Korean online store for Clarks Originals, but since the contract with the UK headquarters for official operation rights has expired, we are posting this notice." Purchases are only possible for orders with completed payments by November 22, and returns can be accepted until the 29th. Currently, Pinda is offering discounts of up to 70% ahead of the expiration of the operation rights.

It is understood that Clarks will terminate the distribution contract with Pinda and directly enter the domestic market to operate the business. A Pinda official said, "The UK headquarters is organizing the operation rights and will directly enter Korea," adding, "I understand that the headquarters also plans to reopen the existing online store."

Clarks Originals Wallabee Black product.
[Photo by Clarks Originals Official Mall]

Clarks’ direct entry into the domestic market appears to be aimed at strengthening the branding of Clarks and increasing sales in the Asian region. Clarks is renewing the brand image of its popular Originals line and is targeting new markets beyond its main markets in the UK and the US.

Key products of Clarks Originals include Wallabee, Desert Boots, and Natalie. Clarks has collaborated with famous brands such as Supreme, Stussy, Japanese streetwear brands 'Neighborhood' and 'BAPE', German-based streetwear brand 'Civilist', and world-renowned designer Martin Rose to present key products in various designs and colors.

It is reported that Clarks has already shown success in the Japanese market. Clarks operates offline stores for Clarks Originals in Japan. Clarks’ sales in Japan reportedly reached their highest level in 2022, driven by key products like Wallabee and Desert Boots gaining popularity as fashion items among the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z).