Gap and Keds Announce Collaboration to Create Exclusive Line of Co-Branded Sneakers

Gap + Keds Collection for Women and Men to be Introduced in Select Gap Stores in the U.S., Gap.com this Fall

SAN FRANCISCO and TOPEKA, Kan., Feb. 18, 2010 – Two iconic American brands, Gap and Keds, the creator of the original sneaker, announced today that they will be working together to create the Gap + Keds collection due to launch in July at select Gap stores in the U.S. and Gap.com for fall 2010.

Keds® is uniquely positioned today as “America’s Blank Canvas,” facilitating creative freedom and the ability to create a range of unique designs on America’s Original Sneaker. Gap and Keds will team up to create exclusive Gap + Keds collections for fall and holiday 2010, which will feature designs aligned with Gap’s apparel collections for women and men. The women’s line will feature the iconic Champion style (the original sneaker) and a vintage style, the Anchor, will be modernized for the men’s line. The shoes are expected to retail for about $40 to $50 a pair.

“These are two iconic American brands with strong shared values that truly represent the fabric of American culture and fashion over the past several decades,” said Kristin Kohler Burrows, President of the Keds brand. “Today Keds represents the creative freedom of America’s Blank Canvas – perfect to apply a range of creative talent to develop a variety of fresh contemporary new styles. We are thrilled to work with the Gap team and through our collaborative energy we will create something really special for Gap shoppers.”

Design details of the forthcoming new line are expected to include shoes featuring washed out twill cotton, denim, metallic and prints, among other designs.

“Gap has always stood for creativity and individuality and this collaboration with Keds is another example of how we help our customers express their individual style by offering exclusive, innovative new products,” said Pam Wallack, President of Gap Adult & Body. “We’re excited to collaborate with Keds and hope our customers will love these new designs as much as we do.”

About Keds

In 1916, Keds started a footwear revolution by creating the world's first sneaker. Through the years, the honesty, optimism and simplicity of Keds has brought people together. From movie stars to basketball legends, artists to tennis pros, first ladies to beatniks, just about everyone has walked, skipped or jumped in a pair of Keds. Keds power to endure comes not only from its unique American heritage, but also from its ability to stay true. The core of the Keds line is the iconic Champion style -- a simple rubber-soled shoe that over 90 years ago invented the world's first sneaker and invited us all to run a little faster, jump a little higher, and play a little longer. The Champion is the perfect place to start, and to come back to; the blank canvas that keeps all creative possibilities open. Keds is also bringing people together to make a difference in our environment, with Keds Green, a line of footwear featuring organic cotton uppers, non-toxic inks and dyes, and recycled outsoles and laces. Pro-Keds has been a free-spirited American performer since 1949. Born of basketball courts, afternoon pickup games, and backyard parties, Pro-Keds have been worn by basketball legends for decades.

Keds is a division of Collective Brands Performance and Lifestyle Group (PLG), which focuses on lifestyle and athletic branded footwear for men and women, and high-quality children's footwear. PLG is a unit of Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS), headquartered in Topeka, Kan., a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to consumers worldwide through multiple channels including retail, wholesale, ecommerce and licensing.

About Gap Inc.

Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) is a leading global specialty retailer offering clothing, accessories and personal care products for men, women, children and babies under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta brand names. Fiscal 2009 sales were $14.2 billion. Gap Inc. operates more than 3,100 stores in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Japan and Ireland. In addition, Gap Inc. is expanding its international presence with franchise agreements in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.

Contacts:
Collective Brands/Media: Mardi Larson, 612.928.0202
Gap/Media: Louise Callagy, 415.427.3502