The retailer said it plans to open 300 to 400 standalone stores nationwide in the next three to five years. The company, which sells sneakers, boots and dress shoes at prices as low as $ 10 a pair, thinks it’s a good time to attract budget-conscious shoppers.
“We are fully aware that we are starting anew at a time when many have lost their jobs, finances are tight, and parents are adapting nationally to work from home, and facilitating the placement of children at home,” said Jared Margolis, CEO of the company, said in a press release. “We saw an opportunity for the market to reboot in the US market … at a time when value could not be more critical.”
That closed its stores in the United States and Canada and laid off 16,000 employees. The company said at the time that it would keep stores outside North America open.
In January, the company said it had emerged from bankruptcy protection and appointed a new management team, including Margolis.
The first Payless store is slated to open in November in Miami, where its new headquarters are located. Payless said it plans to open 30 to 45 stores in Texas and other border states by early 2021.
Those stores will open in addition to their existing fleet of 700 international stores, including franchised locations. Payless said its new U.S. stores will have an “updated” look, such as smart mirrors, touchscreen wall panels and AR-powered foot comparison cards.
Payless said its website will be up for business on Tuesday. It has a mix of clothing, accessories and shoes from its private label brands and new brands that add to its portfolio, such as Kendall + Kylie and Aerosoles.
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