Hotter targets further overseas growth

HOTTER, the fast-growing shoe retailer and manufacturer has promised further international growth as it received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Guests attended a ceremony at the company’s Skelmersdale headquarters where Hotter’s success in international markets such as the US, Middle East and South Africa was celebrated.

Originally a family business, it is expanding under the ownership of private equity firm Electra Partners, having been previously owned by Gresham Private Equity.

Peter Taylor, managing director said: “We’re delighted to have won this recognition for our outstanding success in international trade which has seen our export earnings grow by over 123% in the last three years as we have developed the Hotter brand in markets such as the USA, the Middle East, and South Africa.

“We are a unique business with our own factory and customer service centre based in Lancashire, over a million customers around the world, more than 75 Hotter stores across the UK, one in South Africa and further ones planned internationally.”

Hotter now employs over 1,300 people and is the UK’s biggest shoe manufacturer. Recently-filed accounts for the 53 weeks to February 1 shoes annual turnover rising 8% to £96m.

Guest at the Queen’s Award ceremony included John Saunders, chief executive of the British Footwear Association and local MP Rosie Cooper.

Saunders said: “Hotter is proof positive that with commitment, vision and investment the UK is still more than capable of producing footwear that can take on and beat the rest of the world.”