Payless ShoeSource opens first store in United Arab Emirates

Topeka, Kan. Payless ShoeSource and its franchisee partner, M.H. Alshaya Co., have announced the grand opening of the first Payless ShoeSource store in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with a store located in Bawadi Mall, Al Ain.

"We are excited to continue our Payless store expansion in the Middle East with this first store in the UAE and our fourth in the region. The franchise model is working well for us, and we are very pleased to have such a tremendous franchisee in Alshaya," said Matt Rubel, chairman, CEO and president, Collective Brands, Inc., which owns Payless ShoeSource.

Through the franchise arrangement, Payless provides Alshaya with retail operations and merchandising expertise. Alshaya provides retail location strategy, construction, logistics and store staffing.

Payless plans to expand to other Middle Eastern countries, including Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon. Under the multi-year franchise agreement, Payless and Alshaya said they believe the Middle East could, in the long term, support up to 200 stores.