Barbour
Retail Apparel and FashionEngland, United Kingdom1001-5000 Employees
Barbour is a long-standing British retailer in the apparel and fashion sector, based in Jarrow in the North East of England. It was founded in 1894 in South Shields by John Barbour to provide weatherproof oilskins for sailors, fishermen, and dockers, a lineage that established its reputation for innovation and quality. The business remains a fifth-generation family company led by Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, with wax jackets still handmade at the South Shields factory and Barbour International operating as a separate brand. It offers a wardrobe of functional clothing, footwear, and accessories inspired by the British countryside, sold across more than 55 countries. The Wax for Life program provides re-waxing, repairs, and an upcycling initiative, with over 70,000 wax garments processed annually. In 2026, Barbour International announced a collaboration with New Era Cap, reflecting ongoing brand expansion and partnership activity.