Kohl’s to partner with Aldo on new line of shoes

Menomonee Falls, Wis. Kohl's Department Stores will partner with Canadian shoe maker Aldo International on products to be sold exclusively at the department store chain. The agreement encompasses a range of footwear products for women and men, including fashion shoes in a variety of styles such as dress and casual.

The Aldo -- designed products will be available in all Kohl’s stores and Kohls.com beginning spring 2011.

For Kohl’s, the partnership with Aldo continues to build on its private and exclusive brand strategy, which accounted for 47% of sales in first quarter 2010, up significantly from 2009. Footwear continues to be a key growth area and one of the strongest performing categories for the company, and has outpaced performance plans for the past year, according to the retailer.

As part of the agreement, Aldo International will be responsible for the design and production and will have a dedicated design team on the business. Kohl’s will collaborate on the design process.