Stride Rite Steps Up Intl. Presence

Collective Brands Inc.’s (Topeka, Kan.) Performance + Lifestyle Group has signed new agreements aimed at bringing its children's footwear brand, Stride Rite, and its kids' brand portfolio to new markets in Indonesia, Thailand and Korea. As part of the agreement for Korea, the company also has a new wholesale distribution agent in the country for the Sperry Top-Sider and Keds adult and kids' brands.

Collective Brands has signed a multi-year licensing and retail development agreement between its PLG unit and MAP ACTIVE, Jakarta, to launch stand-alone Stride Rite stores in Indonesia and Thailand. The company will also sell the Stride Rite and Robeez by Stride Rite brands through its Kidz Station retail stores and website.

Stride Rite retail stores will open in the Korean market for the first time later this year through a separate multi-year licensing and retail development agreement with new partner Neo Mio Corporation (Seoul).

“We have seen strong global interest for our brands and today's announcements for Stride Rite, Sperry and Keds across three new markets helps us expand our global footprint to better meet the growing international demand,” says Gregg Ribatt, president and ceo, Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group.

The company includes the Performance + Lifestyle Group, with its Stride Rite, Keds, Sperry Top-Sider Robeez for Stride Rite and Saucony brands, and the 4500-store Payless ShoeSource chain.