Trendy North East fashion firm End Clothing posted rising revenues but falling profits following a year of significant investments in national and international store openings.
End was first launched 17 years ago in a small shop on Newcastle’s High Bridge by university graduates Christiaan Ashworth and John Parker, but their rare footwear sales and faithful followers have led to expansion at a rapid pace. The firm now has a new flagship store opposite Newcastle’s Grey’s Monument as well as shops in London and Glasgow, alongside a successful website and OS and Android apps to reach a global audience.
Last March the founding pair sold a majority stake to Carlyle for £750m and accounts for the company now show that they have fully exited the firm. Since the deal, the company has announced expansion plans to take its cool fashions overseas by opening in the Italian home of fashion, Milan, as well as in Manchester, while also launching into womenswear, which it said “resonated well with customers and suppliers and presents a future growth opportunity”.
