Payless ShoeSource and its franchisee partner, M.H. Alshaya Co. announced the grand opening of the first Payless ShoeSource store in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with a 227-square-meter 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 of Collective Brands, Inc., which owns Payless ShoeSource. “We are thrilled to bring shoppers in the Middle East all that Payless has to offer — great style, quality and brand names, all at a great price.”

Through the franchise arrangement, Payless provides Alshaya with retail operations and merchandising expertise. Alshaya provides retail location strategy, construction, logistics, and store staffing. Alshaya will utilize Payless' newest store format, referred to as the “Hot Zone,” and purchases Payless product directly from Payless' seasonal assortment.

“We are very excited to introduce Payless to the Middle Eastern market, and we believe the Payless name and all it represents including great brands, a fun inspiring shopping experience, the latest affordable fashions and high quality will do well here — just as it has in other regions of the world,” said Mohammed Alshaya, executive chairman of M.H. Alshaya Co.