COLLECTION
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ECTION
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2INSIDE THIS ISSUE
TRADING UPDATE
A MAKEOVER FOR SKOPES H.Q. PLUS MUCH MORE
NEWSLETTER
BUSINESS BOUTIQUE COLLECTION NO2
2015
SKOPES AT PRINTWEAR & PROMOTION Spring/Summer
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PRINTWEAR & PROMOTION LIVE 2015
MESSAGE FROM SIMON COPE,
A new bespoke stand was commissioned to reflect this fast growing part of our business and specifically to showcase the launch of Business Boutique Collection No2 along with new tailoring developments planned for 2015. Over 120 customers visited over the three days making it our most successful exhibition yet!
MANAGING DIRECTOR
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Skopes, founded by my grandfather in 1948 and built on by my father, owes its success and longevity to the loyalty and tremendous support of our customers. Whilst we enter our 67th year in rude health, I am determined that we do not rest on our laurels which is why we have decided to invest significant sums in our fast growing corporatewear business with greater levels of stock later this year as well as overhauling our IT system, making it easier for you to do business with us.
“
My personal thanks to all our customers for your ongoing support and wishing you every success for the rest of the year.
Many congratulations to Phil Holden of Creative Corporate Clothing who was the winner of a free iPad after entering our prize draw open to all customers placing sample orders for the new Business Boutique Collection No2.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS Most of you will know Skopes as a supplier of corporatewear however you may not know that the business operated in the wider clothing market…
Wholesale The business was established by Sydney Cope in 1948, manufacturing the highest quality trousers in our own factory in Leeds and supplying the cream of independent menswear shops and these customers are still very much part of our business today with over 500 active customers. The company was recently nominated in the Drapers Independent Awards for Menswear Brand of the Year.
Retail
BUSINESS UPDATE 2015 A significant increase in depth of core stocks laid the foundation for a record breaking 2014. Helped by improving confidence in the economy, all divisions within the business grew with a stellar performance from corporatewear. Turnover grew to £17m, an increase of £2.7m on the previous year. Corporatewear sales increased 30% with a prestigious rollout for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games technical official’s uniform providing a great start to the year. Q1 sales in 2015 are ahead of budget across the business thanks to a strong forward order book in the wholesale division and a number of new contract wins coming from corporate customers. Our retail business also benefited from early delivery of Spring collections.
Encompassing five stand alone Skopes stores with a further two new opening planned this year, 65 concession partners, 30 concessions within House of Fraser stores and currently the bestselling Menswear brand on the House of Fraser ecommerce site, retail forms a major part of the Skopes business. This strong and growing presence on the high street is helping to raise brand awareness with our corporatewear customers and the end consumer, as well as showing the incredible value our corporatewear ranges compare to high street prices!
Mail Order Skopes is featured in catalogue and online by two of the largest players in the market, Littlewoods and Shop Direct UK, who are long standing Skopes customers. With expertise in handling individual orders quickly and efficiently, Skopes is the only clothing company to offer a direct despatch service, delivering garments direct to the customer on behalf of both companies.
NEW FACES We’re pleased to give a warm welcome to our newest members of the team:
Gemma Ritchie Merchandise Admin Assistant
Kathryn Hattersley Buying Assistant
Estera Gorniok HR Assistant
INTRODUCING
COLLECTION
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The first significant update of this unique collection has been met with universal approval. Collection No2 sees the introduction of a host of new styles and an entirely new colour palette in pink and blue. Business Boutique Collection No2 offers a beautiful, colour coordinating collection in a wide variety of styles and fabrics that include stretch tops, knitwear, shirts and blouses in stripes and prints, as well as a comprehensive range of tie and scarves to mix ‘n’ match. Tailoring hasn’t been ignored either with fancy new waistcoats added to the popular birdseye suiting range. The collections enable smaller companies and organisations the ability to create a unique look with lots of choice that would previously have been the preserve of larger businesses having a bespoke corporate image. The Business Boutique collections have proved extremely popular with doctor and dental receptions, hospitals, smaller building societies, retailers, councils and hotels, as well as general office wear. One of the stand out features is the clever use of fabrics that are very comfortable to wear, easy care, machine washable with many having minimum iron properties.
- ALL STYLES NOW IN STOCK -
PLEASE CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICES TO ORDER THE CATALOGUE ON
0113 240 2211 OR EMAIL INFO@SKOPES.COM
SKOPES GETS A MAKEOVER It may come as a bit of a surprise but more and more customers actually want to come and visit us!
and the doubling of office space with a new kitchen and relaxation area for staff.
A warm Yorkshire welcome is always assured but the facilities were in need of updating and we’re proud that we can now welcome visitors to Leeds in surroundings fit for the 21st century. The new look includes a refreshed reception area, showroom
If you’d like to visit us to discuss how we can work to develop our business together you are most welcome, with easy access to motorway networks, rail and Leeds/Bradford airport only 30 minutes away.
Skopes recently gifted 10 suits to the University Academy Keighley, in order to benefit young people with aspirations to enter the world of business. The Skopes Castleford branch at Junction 32, welcomed 10 young men from the University Academy, and fitted them out ahead of their visit to the Houses of Parliament where they met MP’s, and represented a local education Charity, Global Diversity Positive Action (GDPA).
UNIVERSITY ACADEMY SUITED ‘N’ BOOTED FOR PARLIAMENT
GET IN TOUCH
The GDPA programme has been developed to engage and encourage the mentees towards positive aspirations, thinking clearly about future pathway destinations. As a long term supporter of the programme, Skopes’ Managing Director, Simon Cope, offered to donate the suits as a personal, goodwill gesture. All learners have been provided with a three piece suit, shirt and tie, which they wore for a recent trip to the House of Commons in London, and will wear for several other events including visits to the Microsoft Conference and Farnell Land Rover.
For more information on Skopes Corporatewear and the new Business Boutique Collection No2, please contact
julie.oates@skopes.com
0113 240 2211