UK brand M&S expands footwear category

Marks & Spencer has announced it is welcoming three global footwear brands Skechers, Crocs and TOMS to its ‘Brands at M&S’ online platform this season. The US footwear brands join M&S at a time when each are delivering strong performance independently, with all reporting double-digit revenue growth.

Skechers have grown their geographical footprint to become the third-largest footwear brand in the UK, behind Adidas and Nike, whilst Crocs - best known for their hotly debated foam clogs - following a surge in sales post pandemic, are now one of the world’s top ten largest non-athletic footwear brands.

The footwear market is worth over £14 billion in the UK and projected to grow annually by 3.92 per cent between 2023 and 2027. As M&S continues to reposition as a leading omni-channel retailer, it has identified footwear as a key opportunity for growth. With brands dominating the market - taking 76 per cent in menswear and 45 per cent in womenswear – M&S is utilising the strength of its nascent ‘Brands at M&S’ platform to carefully curate third-party brand partners to grow market share in footwear.

Footwear sales at M&S peak during the autumn winter season as customers turn to M&S for great quality boots and loafers, at a trusted value – however, the retailer currently under indexes in seasonal footwear, including sandals. By welcoming Skechers, Crocs and TOMS, M&S is filling gaps in its footwear offer by introducing a range of trainers, espadrilles, everyday sandals, and flip-flops for all ages - including kids as M&S seeks to grow market share in kids’ daywear, outside of the back-to-school period, where the retailer is already home to school shoe specialists, Clarks Kids, the company said in a media release.

The brands will bring a combined 200 styles all available to shop on M&S.com, with free next day Click & Collect to more than 700 M&S locations. They follow the arrival of trainer brands ASICS, Hoff, Hoka and VEJA  - which launched as part of The Sports Edit platform in February – and bring the total number of footwear brands now available on M&S.com to 15 – with brands now representing 16 per cent of total footwear page visits.

“At M&S, our footwear performance is at its strongest during the autumn winter – customers come to us because they know they can trust in the value, style and quality of our range – from leather boots to loafers. Through our Brands at M&S platform, we are building a carefully curated offer of third-party partners which enhance customers’ shopping experience and increase our style credentials. With the arrival of three global brands in the leisure footwear category, together with a refreshed and reshaped own-brand offer - we’re confident that we have a compelling footwear offer to win during the summer months too,” Richard Price, managing director of clothing & home at M&S, said.