Anaheim-based Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. will start selling shoes in 200 of its stores in time for the back-to-school season, the company said at an investor conference in New York on Wednesday.
The plan to sell shoes at the company’s clothing stores comes after Pacific Sunwear closed its unsuccessful shoe store chain One Thousand Steps earlier this year.
In April, the company also said it would stop selling sneakers and other shoes at its PacSun clothing chain, but would continue carrying flip-flops and sandals.
Chief Eecutive Sally Frame Kasaks said at the PiperJaffray consumer conference in New York that the company would reintroduce young men’s sneakers at its top performing stores in August.
Pacific Sunwear plans to sell shoes from Nike Inc., Quiksilver Inc.’s DC Shoes and other makers.
Kasaks said the company’s decision to sell sneakers fits with the company’s “newly positioned business.”
Pacific Sunwear has battled a slowdown that has hit retailers hard as shoppers cope with the weak economy and high prices for gas and other everyday expenses.
Pacific Sunwear saw a 3% drop in sales at stores open at least a year for the three months through May 30.
The seller of clothes and accessories inspired by surfing and skateboarding runs 818 mall stores and 122 outlets.
