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Shoe retailer Charles Clinkard says its online channels have been helping to mitigate a “significant” drop in sales during the pandemic.

The Middlesbrough-based shoe seller, first founded 94 years ago through one store in the town, now has around 42 shops and concessions across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ, employing more than 550 people, while also reaching customers around the º£½ÇÊÓƵ and overseas through its online store.

Now the firm has said its multi-channel approach is helping it navigate the Covid-19 crisis, with three lockdowns having forced the closure of its stores.

The comments come in the firm’s accounts for 2019, in which it posted turnover of £39.3m, a slight dip on the previous year’s £39.9m, in “difficult trading conditions.”

Operating profit also fell in the year, from £1.57m to £1.34m, while pre-tax profits dropped from £1.48m to £1.25m. Total income came in at £938,000, below the previous year’s £1.14m.

In report accompanying the accounts, director Jonathan Mankin said: “The key challenge is to be in the right location, with the right product and have the ability to respond quickly to the changes in retail.

“The focus going forward continues to be on multichannel retailing ensuring all formats online and in store are fully integrated to ensure the customers needs are fully met.”

On Brexit, the accounts outline how the group buys some of its supplies from overseas, so it uses foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate risks. It said that as a result of Brexit, it is possible that the cost of importing may increase, along with more complex administration.

On the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Mankin’s report added: “The group experience a significant reduction in sales due to the branches being closed for just over two months, from the end of March 2020 through to beginning of June 2020 was an additional closure in November due to government restrictions.

“The group was able to maintain and increase Internet sales during the branch closures and this helped to mitigate the impact.“

It also said that a number of staff had been furloughed and that the group had used º£½ÇÊÓƵ Government support schemes, such as the Job Retention Scheme and the Business Rates Relief.

The report adds: “We continue to target improvements to our existing portfolio through operational excellence, use of technology and cost optimisation. The group continues to actively monitor the impact of Covid-19 on the business.”