IT’S BEST FOOT FORWARD FOR GLOUCESTER FOOTWEAR DISTRIBUTOR

Gloucester-based global footwear and clothing distributor, Gardiner Bros & Co (Leathers), has nearly tripled its warehouse space in the city and is on a recruitment drive.

The company has opened two new specialist pick, pack and despatch units at the newly-built St Modwen Park facility, at Junction 14 of the M5, bringing its total bespoke warehouse area to just over an impressive 230,000 sq ft.

The company has seen significant growth over the last five years, with staff numbers up 80 per cent, and 50 new jobs being filled in the past few months alone.

Last year, despite the lockdown, business grew 45 per cent as the company focused on its digital offering to mitigate the decline in its traditional wholesale trade while stores remained closed.

Once they reopened, Gardiners’ sales grew again, driven also by additional new brands, new omni-channel retail partners and by adding more products to its listings.

Gardiners started life in 1860 as a traditional tannery in Gloucester. It tanned gloving leathers then horse harnesses, and with the advent of the motor car, the company began to supply shoe leathers and cut soles to cobblers.

Gardiners now distributes leading lifestyle and safety brands to the footwear and clothing trade.

The five-generation family business manages global brands including Hush Puppies, Caterpillar, Skechers, Muck Boot, Hunter, Base London and have new partnerships with Hard Yakka and Dickies.

Distributing more than 2.8 million items a year, Gardiners wholesale business is the largest UK footwear and clothing distributor to the trade.

The company has a unique range extension model, virtual distribution and drop-shipping scheme.

It has built efficient e-commerce systems which integrate into its retailers’ systems, and its listing management and omnichannel marketing have helped improve the retail customer experience.

James Gardiner, Gardiners’ CEO said:

“We are very excited to be using our new facilities at St Modwen Park.

“The team at Gardiners and (our sister company) Footsure have worked incredibly hard to maintain and grow our services in line with our vision to be the best partner that brands and retailers have.”

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