25th Retail Anniversary Collection

25 Years

on jermyn street

13th September 1997, the day on which we opened our first Crockett & Jones retail shop at 69 Jermyn Street, is a particularly memorable event in the annals of Crockett & Jones.

143 YEARS IN THE MAKING | 25 years on London's Jermyn Street.

This year sees Crockett & Jones’ retail business hit a quarter of a century. In the grand scheme of our 143 year history, 25 years doesn’t seem that long, but absorb the journey Crockett & Jones and its directors embarked upon to reach September 1997, it quickly becomes nothing short of a remarkable feet (pun intended) of ‘commitment to the cause’.

In the mid-70s, a family meeting was called with a document entitled ‘The Closure of Crockett & Jones’. At a time where the company had simply run out of liquid cash, the outlook was bleak! Undeterred by hard work and among the most stubborn men known to… man… Jonathan Jones, 4th Generation Jones, had the bit between his teeth from that day on. As an energetic 25 year old, he turned his back on a career in Law and set to work in his family manufacturing firm. To this day, there is not a single person in the company who remembers the times where paying staff salaries and supplier invoices was genuinely touch and go. Still loyal to those who offered extended credit during those hard times. Remarkable.

Building wholesale, building respect, building a product collection worthy of the time and effort it takes to build the aforementioned, all seemed like an impossible challenge at the time. But get Mr Jones alone and ask him what his long-term goal was 40 years
ago, he’ll say to you: “To open a flagship retail store on London’s prestigious Jermyn Street”. A flagship retail store where we are able to showcase a collection of footwear under the Crockett & Jones name.”

Over two decades of dogged hard work, high quality manufacturing and wholesale success, not only had the company achieved a financially stable status, Mr Jones now had the expertise and knowledge to take the next major step forward for this Great British, family manufacturing firm. Direct to consumer retail.

Coniston 2 in Hatch Grain Cordovan | Crockett & Jones

Fast forward to the 90s, and not only was Mr Jones supplying all of the high quality footwear retailers in London, making shoes for a now well-known Northampton manufacturer and creating white label collection for copious household brands across the pond. He had now developed a collection of lasts suitable to furnish the vast international trade that passed along London’s Jermyn Street, day in, day out. Lasts that provided Jonathan (and Crockett & Jones) with the foundations to build a collection of footwear worthy of a Jermyn Street location, and boy did it sell well…

Why Jermyn Street? If Northampton is the home of shoe manufacturing, Jermyn Street is the home of shoe retailing. This impact was not only felt through our direct to consumer growth, but also our wholesale growth. Having such a prestigious retail location, gave further gravitas and confidence to buyers from all over the world, in particular Japan. 69 Jermyn Street quickly become Crockett & Jones’ showroom on the big stage.

Product is one thing. We had the product, now the brand story needed telling. Slowly but surely business began to build, backed up with great customer service, that initially fell to one person; Mr Steve Murdoch. Service comes from people. Retailing was a face to face business. Those who know Crockett & Jones, probably know Steve Murdoch. Those who know Jermyn Street, definitely know Steve Murdoch. Steve is not only the Royal Warrant holder on behalf of Crockett & Jones, he is still the captain of the retail ship, 25 years after his first day at C&J. There is nobody better to tell our retail story.

Cavendish 3

Dark Brown Hatch Grain Cordovan
25th Retail Anniversary Collection
Last 375
Hand Grade Leather Sole

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Cavendish 3

Whisky Hatch Grain Cordovan
25th Retail Anniversary Collection
Last 375
Hand Grade Leather Sole

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Coniston 2

Dark Brown Hatch Grain Cordovan
25th Retail Anniversary Collection
Last 375
Dainite Rubber Sole

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Managing Director

Jonathan Jones

13th September 1997, the day on which we opened our first Crockett & Jones retail shop at 69 Jermyn Street, is a particularly memorable event in the annals of Crockett & Jones.

Over the years our retail business has evolved and grown successfully, both in London and overseas, and continues to exceed our expectations. This is a testament to our ‘retail generalissimo’ Steve Murdoch, the shop Managers, and all the retail team.

We are very proud of our retail shops, and particularly value the opportunity to deal first-hand with so many regular and loyal customers.We look forward to the next 25 years!

Jonathan Jones, Managing Director

First day, because Mr Murdoch (above middle) was our first ever retail staff member. He now manages 11 Crockett & Jones flagships alongside 50 members of equally passionate retail staff. Both his son and daughter have worked for the company, and his nephew currently manages Crockett & Jones’ store in the historical Burlington Arcade. Known for being firm but fair, Steve has as much of the Crockett & Jones mantra running through his veins as Jonathan Jones himself.

The retail landscape has changed somewhat since 1997, but in so many ways brick & mortar retailing and the service levels required, remains exactly the same today. The demand for Crockett & Jones’ high quality footwear is strong, and with many customers returning to their preferred store, to see their preferred member of knowledgeable and welcoming staff, armed with a stock room full of Crockett & Jones shoes & boots, the future remains bright for Crockett & Jones and it retail stores.

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25 Years

on jermyn street

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Managing Director

Jonathan Jones

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25 Years

on jermyn street

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Coniston 2

Managing Director

Jonathan Jones

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CONISTON 2

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