Clarks opened its second store in Paris in September, based at 11 Boulevard de la Madeleine.
The shop is based in one of the city’s most prominent retail districts, close to Place de la Madeleine and the major shopping destinations of Boulevard Haussmann.
The launch represents the latest step in the shoe retailer’s strategy to increase its physical retail presence in France.
“One of the world’s most important retail and fashion destinations”
Clarks president UK and Europe Joe Ulloa explains that the retailer has launched the store at this location since Paris is “one of the world’s most important retail and fashion destinations” and Boulevard de la Madeleine gives it “a prominent location in the heart of the city”.
“It is close to Place de la Madeleine and the major shopping destinations around Boulevard Haussmann, giving us a strong platform from which to reach both Parisian customers and visitors to the capital,” he says.
“France is central to our wider European growth plans, and the store is another step towards building a larger, more relevant and more accessible Clarks business in the country,” he adds.
The exec explains that the Parisian store presents its women’s, men’s and kid’s collections in “a contemporary retail environment”.
He says that this brings together its “footwear for everyday life, our latest comfort-led products and internationally recognised Clarks icons, including the Desert Boot and Wallabee”.
“The offer also includes Cloudsteppers by Clarks, accessories and Clarks Originals clothing, giving customers an opportunity to discover a broader view of the brand and the different ways in which our product range is evolving,” he says.
Clarks’ second Paris store
The new Boulevard de la Madeleine Clarks store joins the brand’s existing site in Paris.
Ulloa says that the “biggest difference” between the two stores is “the location and the customers it enables us to reach”.
“Our existing store is on Boulevard de Sébastopol, while the new store puts Clarks in the prominent Madeleine and Haussmann shopping district,” the exec notes.
“Rather than one location replacing the other, the two stores complement each other.
“Together, they give us a stronger presence across central Paris, improve access to the brand and allow us to introduce Clarks to a broader mix of local customers and visitors.”
Clarks currently has two directly operated full-price stores in France, which are both based in Paris. It also has three franchise stores in the country.
However, the business has plans to launch three more shops before the end of 2026.
“Full-price stores at Val d’Europe Centre Commercial on the outskirts of Paris, and one in Lyon. We will be opening an outlet store in the greater Paris area too,” Ulloa says.
“The locations give us a good balance between central and regional shopping destinations, full-price retail and outlet.
“They will also make the brand more accessible to customers beyond our existing central Paris locations.”
More broadly, the company has 38 stores across continental Europe. These include a mixture of directly operated full-price stores, outlets and franchise stores.
“We see significant potential across Europe,” the exec reveals.
“Clarks already has strong recognition in many European markets, but historically the scale of our business has not always reflected that recognition.
“Our goal is to build sustainable market share by expanding in the right locations and through the right mix of channels.”
In 2026, he highlights that Clarks has opened or secured locations across markets including France, Italy, Spain, Belgium and the UK.
He also notes that openings have included Barcelona and Bilbao, alongside several locations in Italy.
“We are growing through directly operated full-price and outlet stores, wholesale, franchise partnerships, ecommerce and marketplaces,” he says.
“For autumn/winter 2026, we also began working with 120 new multi-brand accounts across Europe and the UK.
“It is a coordinated, multichannel approach designed to increase Clarks’ reach while maintaining commercial discipline.”
Ultimately though, the exec insists that “what matters is that we are being selective rather than simply chasing a store number”.
“We are investing where there is clear customer demand, an appropriate site and a sustainable commercial case, while supporting our physical stores through wholesale, franchise and digital channels.”
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