Studio lifestyle image showing a model in a light knit jumper with a Union Jack patch, posed in front of a flowing British flag backdrop Studio lifestyle image showing a model in a light knit jumper with a Union Jack patch, posed in front of a flowing British flag backdrop
Our story is a Great British success story
Circular cropped vintage sports photograph showing a rugby player running with a ball during a match, surrounded by a crowd
Fran Cotton
Founder
Our feet are firmly planted in England’s rugby pitches
Fran and Steve first met playing rugby at Loughborough PE College, and both went on to earn their first caps for England by 1973. By 1980, they’d both been on prestigious England tours across the world, and were part of Bill Beaumont’s Grand Slam team!

1987 - Cotton Traders was founded

From a tiny office at the back of Altrincham railway station, the guys risked everything with their first advert in the Sunday paper – an ad known as The White Story that became one of the most successful adverts in the history of ‘off the page’.
Circular cropped archival rugby image showing multiple players in white kits moving forward with the ball during a competitive match
Steve Smith
Chairman & Co-founder
Our feet are firmly planted in England’s rugby pitches
Fran and Steve first met playing rugby at Loughborough PE College, and both went on to earn their first caps for England by 1973. By 1980, they’d both been on prestigious England tours across the world, and were part of Bill Beaumont’s Grand Slam team!

1987 - Cotton Traders was founded
From a tiny office at the back of Altrincham railway station, the guys risked everything with their first advert in the Sunday paper – an ad known as The White Story that became one of the most successful adverts in the history of ‘off the page’.
A flat lay of folded long-sleeve rugby shirts in yellow, blue, navy, and green featuring embroidered team-style crests
A flat lay of folded long-sleeve rugby shirts in yellow, blue, navy, and green featuring embroidered team-style crests
The early 90s brought with them Cotton Traders’ first replica licensing agreement with the Rugby Football Union, first in partnership with England, swiftly followed by Wales and South Africa.
The early 90s brought with them Cotton Traders’ first replica licensing agreement with the Rugby Football Union, first in partnership with England, swiftly followed by Wales and South Africa.
Two Cotton Traders catalogue covers displayed side by side, showing seasonal fashion outfits and the headline Hello Spring with product previews
A catalogue of
successes
A catalogue of
successes
Interior of a Cotton Traders retail store showing a checkout counter, clothing displays, folded garments, and wall signage
1998

Cotton Traders opens its first retail store at Cheshire Oaks and goes on to open countless more nationwide. In 2000, the guys open a retail outlet in an unusual location – a garden centre! – and go on to open 50 more across the UK.
1998

Cotton Traders opens its first retail store at Cheshire Oaks and goes on to open countless more nationwide. In 2000, the guys open a retail outlet in an unusual location – a garden centre! – and go on to open 50 more across the UK.
Multiple digital devices displaying the Cotton Traders website, including a laptop, desktop monitor, and tablet showing clothing product pages and promotions
2002

The turn of the millennium saw the business go online, with the clothing collections quickly expanding, and eventually we start to ship internationally due to popular demand from ex-pats and customers overseas. Today, we have dedicated websites for our Australian, International and Irish customers, and proudly launched in North America in 2018.
2002

The turn of the millennium saw the business go online, with the clothing collections quickly expanding, and eventually we start to ship internationally due to popular demand from ex-pats and customers overseas. Today, we have dedicated websites for our Australian, International and Irish customers, and proudly launched in North America in 2018.
Circular cropped beachwear image showing a model wearing a navy one-piece swimsuit standing by the sea
Circular cropped image showing a model wearing an olive green button-up shirt and sunglasses walking along a coastal path
Circular cropped lifestyle image showing two models wearing textured knitwear in blue and navy tones against a coastal background
Circular cropped fashion image showing a model wearing a red and white striped jacket layered over a white top, carrying a shoulder bag in an outdoor setting
Today, Cotton Traders is a renowned brand and multichannel retailer with an extremely loyal and dedicated customer base worldwide.

With over 100 retail stores across high streets, garden centres, outlets and travel sites, millions of catalogues mailed to customers every year, and a busy UK contact centre, it’s an exciting time for all of us!
Today, Cotton Traders is a renowned brand and multichannel retailer with an extremely loyal and dedicated customer base worldwide.

With over 100 retail stores across high streets, garden centres, outlets and travel sites, millions of catalogues mailed to customers every year, and a busy UK contact centre, it’s an exciting time for all of us!
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UK Orderline: 0844 844 1111
Overseas Customer Care: 00 44 161 3747220
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