The Topeka, Kan.-based retailer has signed exclusive franchise agreement with Reliance Retail Ltd. The plan calls for a Reliance to bow and operate a chain of Payless locations, similar in format to the U.S. stores, across the country.
The stores in India will expand Payless’ international franchise network, which already includes 258 locations throughout the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe.
Reliance Retail’s footwear CEO G. Sankar was bullish about the parntership. “We believe this association has the potential to storm the ladies and kids footwear market in India which has largely been unorganized and fragmented to date,” Sankar said.
“A cornerstone of the Payless strategy is to expand into new markets and become the brand that resonates with consumers around the globe…” Payless Holdings CEO Paul Jones said in a statement.
Source: wwd