Collective Brands
Collective Brands, Inc. is an American parent company that owns Payless ShoeSource (footwear retailer), Robeez (shoe manufacturer), and Airwalk (shoe manufacturer).
At the end of 2011, it operated approximately 660 Payless ShoeSource stores in North America.
History
Stride Rite Corporation purchased the Sperry Top-Sider and Keds brand names from Uniroyal in 1979. During 2005, Stride Rite completed its acquisition of Saucony. In 2006, Stride Rite purchased Robeez.
Payless purchased many of these companies during the 2000s, and on August 16, 2007, the company changed its name to Collective Brands, Inc.
On October 9, 2012, Collective Brands, Inc. announced its acquisition by Golden Gate Capital and Blum Capital was completed. As a result, Payless ShoeSource and Collective Licensing International operate as a private, standalone entity known as Payless Holdings. As part of the transaction, Wolverine World Wide, a Michigan-based boot and shoe manufacturer, acquired Stride Rite Corporation including its Sperry Top-Sider, Keds, Saucony, and other brands from Collective Brands, Inc.[1]
In July of 2014, Authentic Brands Group finalized the purchase of certain assets of Collective Licensing International. The asset purchase included several youth lifestyle, athletic, and board-sports inspired brands, including Airwalk, Hind, Vision Street Wear, and Above The Rim.