Payless ShoeSource To Enter Russia In 2010
* Says to expand Payless into Russia in 2010
* Says will open at least 90 stores in 5 yrs
* Says will open 5 stores in 2010
* Says to open 300 stores in Russia in the long run
Sept 1 (Reuters) – Collective Brands Inc (PSS.N) said on Tuesday it planned to expand Payless ShoeSource into the Russian market in 2010 along with franchise partner M.H. Alshaya.
Collective, which is the holding company for Payless ShoeSource and Stride Rite, plans to open at least 90 stores in about five years, of which 5 will be opened by late 2010, the company said in a statement.
Last September, The Topeka, Kansas-based company had announced its first franchisee deal, expanding Payless ShoeSource into the Middle East with the same franchise partner.
Kuwait’s Alshaya develops and operates stores for retailers and restaurants like Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O), H&M, Foot Locker Inc (FL.N) and Dean & Deluca, among others.
04/19/10 at 02:04 AM
Russia is a huge country, with quite a serious population that has a taste for the luxury items and chainstore westerners take for granted. Where else in the world can you project opening 300 new stores in a country? I am sure Payless will prove to be a great hit in Russia, the big chain inevitably get prime locations and have ad budgets, so it is hard for them to lose.