Retail client profile - Craggs Shoe Repairs

Make do and mend – Craggs Shoe Repairs

Established in Yorkshire in 1933, Craggs Shoe Repairs has branches in Leeds City Centre, Crossgates, Moor Allerton and Wetherby with a new branch due to open in the centre of Ilkley in mid May. 

The family business was initially established by Tom Craggs.  He began working in shoe repairs at the Leeds Shoe Depot in Leeds, and when that company ran into financial difficulties, the opportunity arose for Tom and his wife to buy the business.   Over the next 75 years, various generations of the Craggs family have helped build a solid reputation and very successful family business in the Yorkshire region.

In addition to shoe and leather repairs, Craggs offer key cutting, watch batteries, watch repairs and engraving services.  Their flagship branch in Leeds City Centre was also the first branch to offer the sale of high quality Gentlemen's shoes and leather goods – a concept which has proved successful and is being rolled out into several of the other branches.

Despite the current climate, the company are experiencing rapid growth in sales.  Attitudes are changing and the “make do and mend” mentality is back.  This growth has meant that Craggs are able to look at new opportunities.  The business has recently established an online presence selling high quality leather items (www.craggsshoesonline.com) and an online service for the repair of Ugg Boots (www.uggbootrepairs.com).  The Leeds branch also offers a dry cleaning service and the soon-to-be-open Ilkley store will include a dry cleaning concession – further expanding the range of services that Craggs can offer. 

Gerald Forbes Craggs’ Director said “The company's business plan will see 3 further store openings in the next 2 years and further development in the e-retailing market”

Published: 28th May 2009

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