Stride Rite opens new format in NYC

NEW YORK The Stride Rite Children's Group, a subsidiary of Collective Brands, has announced the launch of a new store format, Collections by Stride Rite(TM), which combines separate, dedicated shopping areas for kids seven to ten years old, with an environment for parents to shop for baby and toddler shoes.

The 1,800-square-foot store is located at 1542 3rd Ave at 87th Street in New York City. Stride Rite said it has plans to roll out similar stores later this year in select high-fashion shopping locations.

The store features a dedicated shopping environment for youth at the front with fun colors, hip lighting, and displays of "grown-up" must-have styles from the Stride Rite portfolio. Towards the back of the store, the environment transitions to a softer atmosphere more suitable for babies and toddlers. Dividing the two sections is the cash wrap and the Stride Rite custom 3D Fit Machine, a system that captures the full 3D shape of a child's foot.

"Collections by Stride Rite recognizes the significant range of branded products we now carry in our stores for children zero to 10 years old," said Pam Salkovitz, president of the Stride Rite Children's Group. "The new store format is tailored to the different shopping needs of parents with babies and toddlers from that of youth up to 10 years old. We have created a front-of-store area dedicated to youth and a shopping area tailored to baby shoe shopping in the back of the store. We believe this offers a fabulous and convenient shopping experience tailored to the needs of growing families."