Stride Rite® Joins the Award-Winning Sesame Street® Family Premiering a New Collection of Footwear Within the Stride Rite STEP System

LEXINGTON, Mass., Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Stride Rite Children's Group, a leading provider of premium children's footwear, introduces the Sesame Street® by Stride Rite® collection. Inspired by Elmo, Oscar, Abby Cadabby and their friends, the collection features tactile hair, arms that hug the foot and a detailed design that truly looks like the character itself that kids and moms are sure to love!

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110907/NY63431LOGO )

The Sesame Street by Stride Rite collection is all about healthy foot development and includes shoe options within the Stride Rite Scientifically Tested Everyday Proven™ (STEP) System featuring Stride Rite's Sensory Response Technology™ (SRT™) and the APMA Seal of Acceptance.

• STEP 1 Robeez® by Stride Rite Pre-Walker features 'best for baby' comfort, style and craftsmanship in ultra-soft flexible leather in three beloved Sesame Street Soft Sole designs:  Elmo, Abby Cadabby and Cookie Monster.
• STEP 2 SRT™ Soft Motion™ Early Walker features rounded edges and ultra-flexible rubber outsoles that enable children to better feel the ground, encouraging balance and comfort while learning to walk. The Elmo, Abby Cadabby and Ernie Soft Motion™ designs feature huggable straps (patent pending) that hug the foot for maximum comfort and protection.
• STEP 3 SRT™ Toddler Off & Running has a unique hourglass outsole design featuring a sensory feedback system that enables children to better feel the ground beneath them, allowing them to quickly adjust to changes in terrain. Oscar the Grouch, with Slimey, and Abby Cadabby designs feature a letters and numbers print with a secure hook & loop strap showcasing their facial features.  

"Families have put their trust in Stride Rite since 1919 to develop shoes that foster healthy foot development and we are excited to announce our partnership with Sesame Workshop, a four-decade old organization that shares our tradition of providing a healthy message to preschoolers and their parents," said Sharon John, president of Stride Rite Children's Group. "The Sesame Street by Stride Rite collection combines the beloved Sesame Street friends that kids love and the Stride Rite quality and comfort moms trust."

This fall collection is the first to launch from the license agreement between Stride Rite Children's Group and Sesame Workshop. The Sesame Street by Stride Rite collection is available in packaging that features Elmo and friends of the award-winning preschool series. Suggested retail is $28-$48 and styles are currently available exclusively in Stride Rite retail stores, online at www.striderite.com, as well as through Stride Rite wholesale partners including Nordstrom and Dillard's. Visit www.striderite.com to find a retail store near you.

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About Stride Rite Children's Group and Collective Brands, Inc.
About Stride Rite Children's Group, Inc. and Collective Brands, Inc.

The Stride Rite Children's Group, part of the Performance + Lifestyle Group of Collective Brands, Inc., markets leading brands of premium children's footwear in the United States, including Stride Rite®, Robeez for Stride Rite®, Saucony® Kids, Keds® Kids and Sperry Top-Sider® Kids, among others. For over 90 years, the company has designed and engineered footwear specifically to meet the needs of growing children. Through our sole commitment to "Kid-RITE" innovation, quality, health and style, Stride Rite Children's Group's mission is to be the first choice for premium authentic footwear brands that kids love and moms trust. Visit www.striderite.com to learn more.

About Collective Brands, Inc.

Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to consumers worldwide.   The company operates three strategic units covering a powerful brand portfolio, as well as multiple price points and selling channels including retail, wholesale, ecommerce and licensing.  Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its nearly 4,500-store retail chain, with its brands Airwalk®, Dexter®, Champion® and designer collections Lela Rose for Payless, Christian Siriano for Payless and Isabel Toledo for Payless, among others;  Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group, focused on lifestyle and performance branded footwear sold primarily through wholesale and retail, with brands including Stride Rite®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, and Saucony®; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit, with such youth lifestyle brands as Airwalk®, Vision Street Wear®, Sims®, Lamar® and LTD®.  Information about, and links for shopping on, each of the Collective Brand's units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

SOURCE Stride Rite Children's Group