Karrimor To Distribute Garmont In UK

Karrimor has announced that it has done a deal with Italian boot manufacturers Garmont, which will involve the Lancashire company distributing Garmont clothing and boots in the UK.

Meanwhile Garmont North America will distribute a new range of sports and travel rucsacs and clothing in North America. Karrimor is also committed to sourcing all its KSB boot range from Garmont.

The deal comes in the wake of the collapse of Garmont's previous UK distributor, Manchester-based SMC Mountaineering - the largest casualty so far of the foot and mouth crisis - and should end the price differences between Garmont and KSB boots.

Previously near identical boots were being sold at different prices depending on whether they were badged 'Garmont' or 'KSB', presumably with the two companies cooperating closely, this will no longer be the case. Garmont have been producing much of the KSB boot range for Karrimor for over 12 years and have now also taken a 5 per-cent equity stake in the British company.

Garmont were showing some very interesting technical mountain clothing, including a £400 shell jacket, at the Manchester Spring trade show, expect to see it in the shops for the autumn/winter 2001/2 season. See article link at bottom of page.