Translated by
Nazia BIBI KEENOO
Printed
March 17, 2025
Based in 1866 by Matías Pujadas in Mallorca, Carmina Shoemaker has developed right into a globally acknowledged artisanal footwear model. Now in its sixth era, the family-led enterprise reached €20 million in income in 2024. “We are five siblings, a family business, and we want to keep it that way,” says industrial director Sandro Albadalejo. Looking forward to 2025, Carmina is gearing up for key expansions, with new shops set to open in Luxembourg and London—strikes anticipated to drive annual income progress of as much as 15%.
One in all Carmina Shoemaker’s shops in New York Carmina Shoemaker – Carmina Shoemaker
The Balearic model maintains a balanced distribution technique throughout its gross sales channels. Wholesale accounts for one-third of its income, with Carmina merchandise out there in 50 to 70 retail places throughout Asia, Europe, and the USA. “We are not investing in wholesale; we prefer to focus on our own channels, where we have more control. That said, wholesalers give us access to luxury stores and high-value brands,” says Albadalejo.
One other third of gross sales comes from its international on-line platform, whereas the ultimate third is generated via its retail community. Carmina at the moment operates seven boutiques, with places in Palma, Madrid and Barcelona in Spain, in addition to Paris, two in New York, and San Francisco—its newest addition, which opened in Might 2024. “Between May and June, we will open a store in Luxembourg, and we are also finalizing a deal for a location in Mayfair, London, which will likely open before summer,” Albadalejo reveals. “We are also looking at Munich or Hamburg, as well as Tokyo, with openings planned between late 2025 and early 2026.”
America stays Carmina’s strongest market, adopted by Spain and Germany, which ranks second in on-line gross sales after the US. Given the American market’s important position in Carmina Shoemaker’s income, how does the corporate navigate tariff issues? “This is the reality for us and all manufacturers today. The shoes we make here, which American customers demand, are not produced locally, so in that sense, we have some protection. However, if a 20% tariff is imposed, we will have to adjust our prices accordingly, which we understand could slow down demand,” explains the industrial director.
Since establishing as a footwear model in 1997, Carmina has remained devoted to conventional craftsmanship. The corporate operates two factories in Mallorca, the place as much as 100 artisans are concerned within the manufacturing course of. Whereas primarily identified for males’s footwear, its girls’s assortment now represents 25% of its catalog. “We have two in-house factories and produce 300 pairs daily—about 60,000 a year. Our facilities could increase production by 25% to 30%, but our focus is on high-end products rather than volume at lower prices,” says Albadalejo.
Carmina employs round 200 individuals and has subsidiaries in the USA, the UK, Japan, and France. The household’s holding firm, Alta Zapatería Balear, totally owns these divisions.
With its deep-rooted heritage in bespoke shoemaking, Carmina Shoemaker has made personalization a core a part of its id. Clients can “design” their very own footwear by deciding on supplies, finishes, and particulars reminiscent of buckles. The model has additionally launched a foot-scanning service—at the moment out there in its New York and San Francisco shops—that creates a customized picket final for every consumer, making certain an ideal match. “A bespoke pair of shoes in the UK can cost around £10,000. With our process, a similar product could be made for approximately €2,000,” says Albadalejo. The corporate plans to roll out this service progressively throughout its retail community.
