The business model behind Barkers? Throwing out the rulebook

Jamie Whiting attributes Barkers' success to a single item of clothing. (Image: NZME)

Fri, 03 Nov 2023

The managing director of Barkers Max Retail Group credits the humble track pants as the key to making Barkers a household name across New Zealand.Jamie Whiting was at the Property Council NZ’s retail conference on Thursday to discuss the success – and trials and tribulations – of the menswear brand, which also owns womenswear firm Max and recently picked up a 53% stake in the small athleisure company Clique.Barkers began as Raymond’s in 1972, named after its founder Raymond Barker, before the company changed its name to...

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