Crockett & Jones – Courtesy of Ethan Desu’s old blog (now Rugged Old Salt) |
It wasn’t too long ago that Crockett & Jones predominantly focused on private labeling (aka making shoes for other brands) and did not really put as much emphasis into their own brand. Of course they had shops and all, but not nearly as many as they do now. But one day an employee of theirs said, “why don’t we start focusing more on strengthening our own brand by opening more C&J stores and selling our shoes directly to the customers?” (this is what I have heard through trusted sources – whether or not it is true, well…) This person was smart, because no matter how much you sell your shoes to other brands to put their label on them, you will never make a huge amount of money nor will you really strengthen you company’s image, not at least to the public. The money and reputation is in selling directly to the customer, where you take all of the profit margin, demonstrate your abilities of production (quality-wise) and as a factory you also control not only the distribution channels but the costs of production. You have all the power to control cost price, retail price and thus profit margin. It’s the best way to make money, providing that your shoes sell well and that you are able to control all of your overhead costs. But as Crockett & Jones made a great shoe and were already a trusted name in the industry, this risk was minimal for them. And now they have 11 stores� around the world (5 in London alone), not to mention about a million stockists that sell their shoes…
3 pictures above: All Ed Et Al
So how does this predict the new year and the state of the industry? Well, allow me to elaborate. Writing this blog, wearing loads of different makers’ shoes and being in touch with the upcoming brands looking to get some headway in the industry, allowed me to get a perspective that others might not have noticed. And what might that be? Well, it would appear that the new trend is for factories to open up (or existing factories to change the culture of their company) and start offering their own branded stuff at the best possible price for the best possible quality. As I have written before, when you are a factory you control all of the barriers to entry, with the exception of competition. But if you can make a product that is just as good as the competition or even better but do so at a much lower retail price, then you are going to blow them out of the water, providing that you are able to market your product properly. This is what I have noticed as a trend that is rising but has yet to boom. And I predict that 2013 will commence the boom. For how long it lasts, well, I don’t know. But if factories were wise-up, they will start to follow suit by hiring some great designers and pattern makers, tighten up on quality control and start doing their own branded lines…..because this seems to be the future…. Look at Gaziano & Girling for example…would they be as good if Alfred Sargent was still making their shoes?? Don’t think so….and that is not a knock on AS, as they make a good shoe too, but G&G have a different aesthetic that I think would only be captured by them doing constant quality control.
3 Pictures Above: All Meermin Mallorca
Let’s take a look at all of the brands that I have started writing about this year that have come out with a great product at a great price: Ed Et Al, Meermin Mallorca, Carmina, and Berwick, let alone some of the other brands (those whom don’t own their factory, yet still come out at a low price) like Septieme Largeur, DC Lewis and Barbanera. It’s an amazing phenomenon and while I will be coming out with my own brand that won’t be able to compete with some of these factory own brands (not at least in price vs. quality ratio), I am still happy to know that it’s happening and that more people will soon be able to afford good quality shoes that will allow them to tackle the foundation of their outfit: shoes!
4 Pictures Above: All Septieme Largeur
As always, I want to thank all of you for all your loyalty and support. It is truly amazing to know that people appreciate the effort and content that I put into the blog and I am truly happy to provide all of you the knowledge that I have gained over the years so that you too can spread it on to others. Please continue to visit me if you are around the London area. It is my pleasure to meet all of you as without you, I would be writing to no one….. I wish everyone a very Happy New Year and may 2013 bring all of you happiness and success!!!
Sincerely,
Justin, “The Shoe Snob”
And a happy new year to you too, Justin! Keep up the good works, and we’ll keep enjoying it!
Hope you get your own factory soon too!
Happy New Year….the Year of the Shoe Snob!
https://twitter.com/SteveMartinToGo/status/285788854844280832/photo/1
Who made these I wonder.
Nice
Have a Happy Shoe Year!:P:))
Anyway, Happy New Year
http://www.attireclub.wordpress.com
Fashion and attitude
Meermin manufacture their products in China not in Mallorca. Here you have the reason of there affordable prices.
Justin thank you for the fantastic blog. For being an inspiration and believing in quality men’s shoes before the trend hit. I’ve followed you silently for a long time and am proud and pleased to see your dreams coming to fruition. For the first time this evening I reached out over instagram and you responded instantly I look forward to meeting you getting a polish and buying some shoes the next time I come up to London from the coast. Between you and the London lounge. A Parisian gentleman and permanent style. (Also before he moved on Stephen at the simply refined) I have found like minded individuals who have motivated and filled me with aspirations in 2012. May 3013 bring you every success
Paul Van Der Hart – Thanks Paul. Happy New Year to you too, even though this is old…
Alex B – that will unfortunately never happen as it is not what I desire…but yes, let 2013 be year of the Shoe Snob!
Anon – those look like Vivienne Westwood….
Attire Club – Thank you, and happy New Year to you too!
ShoeFan – Yes, but their shoes are handwelted and lasted for that price…they could be made in Spain, goodyear welted at that very same price…so in reality that is not a factor as they construction is of a higher caliber…
Adam Whitlock – I thank you for all of the kind words my friend and am truly happy to hear that you have been enjoying the blog for some time. Thank you for all your support and I too shall look forward to the day that we meet. May 2013 also bring you lots of happiness and success!
-Justin
Hello Justin,
Could you compare leather quality of Ed Et Al, Meermin Mallorca, Carmina and Berwick please?
Carmina is significally more expensive so is the leather really better?
Best regards,
Andrew
Andrew – Unfortunately, I simply cannot break them down one by one…Carmina’s leather is probably the highest grade of them all, but this will not be the only thing that makes their price higher…this post here might help answer what you seem to be thinking of why should I pay more??
https://theshoesnobblog.com/2013/01/reader-question-value-of-quality.html
best.
-Justin