Shoppers Can Join Payless in the Fight Against Breast Cancer; the Purchase of $2 Bracelet Has Helped Raise Millions of Dollars

Seventh Annual Embrace the Cause Program Features 2010 Limited-Edition Charm Bracelet for Only $2 With 100 Percent of Net Profits from Bracelet Sales to Benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R); Co-Branded Slipper Also Supports Cause

TOPEKA, Kan, Sept 22, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

This October, Payless will inspire shoppers to show their support for breast cancer awareness with this year's must-have accessory item - the 2010 Payless Breast Cancer Awareness charm bracelet benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R), the world's leading breast cancer advocacy organization. The nation's largest specialty footwear retailer is proud to once again offer its Embrace the Cause bracelet in all its stores beginning Oct. 1 and online at Payless.com(R) starting this week for just $2 - an accessible price that enables more people to get involved and has raised more than $3.6 million since 2004 for the cause.

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"Over the past six years, the popularity of our breast cancer awareness program has been incredible and shows how passionate Payless shoppers and associates feel about supporting this important cause," said LuAnn Via, CEO and president for Payless. "With our on-trend bracelet at the $2 price point, we have created a program that allows just about everyone to join in the fight against breast cancer. Our program also shows how a small purchase can help raise millions of dollars."

Payless will donate 100 percent of the net profits (at least $1/bracelet) of bracelet sales to Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R), helping to support breast cancer research and community outreach programs. Over the past seven years, the Payless Embrace the Cause program has raised more than $3.6 million in the fight against breast cancer and Payless is proud to be a member of Susan G. Komen for the Cure's "Million Dollar Council."

The limited-edition charm bracelet features three elastic pink bands embellished with several "floating" silver-toned balls, linked together by a dangling breast cancer awareness ribbon charm. To buy the bracelet, consumers can visit all Payless stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico beginning Oct. 1 or shop Payless.com(R) beginning this week. This is a limited-edition item available while supplies last.

Beginning last week, Payless also began offering the "Sierra" all-pink sweater slipper in select stores in the U.S. and Canada. The Sierra is a scuff-style slipper, co-branded Airwalk and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and features a plush and cozy pink faux fur lining with a cable knit upper also trimmed in faux fur. The slipper is offered in women's and girls' sizing and retails for $19.99 and $17.99, respectively. Payless will donate $2 per pair sold to Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R).

According to the American Cancer Society's 2010 facts and figures, an estimated 207,090 cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur in the United States this year alone. One woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes in the United States. For more information on breast health or breast cancer, contact Susan G. Komen for the Cure at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or visit www.komen.org.

About Payless' Giving Programs

Since 2004, Payless has established formal programs to support important causes by selling unique items and making them accessible at affordable price points and then partnering with shoppers by donating 100 percent of the net profits from item sales to a nonprofit partner. Payless makes no money from these programs; they are 100 percent philanthropic. Through such programs, Payless also celebrates Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month by establishing the Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarships with the National Urban League and Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, respectively, to support the higher education of America's minority youth. Payless supports inner city youth in New York City with its Friendship Shoe program, with proceeds benefitting The Fresh Air Fund, which provides free summer vacations to underprivileged children living in the New York City area. Payless also has an alliance with the Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees campaign where it is donating $1 - the cost to plant one tree in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil -- for every reusable shopping bag sold. The company said it expects to plant, at minimum, 100,000 trees through the 2010 program. For the Holiday 2009 season, Payless initiated the Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids program to give $1.2 million of free shoes to children of families in need in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and in 10 Latin American countries. These are among the Payless and Collective Brands, Inc. giving programs.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R)

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R) and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure(R), we have invested more than $1.5 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.

About Payless & Collective Brands, Inc.

Payless ShoeSource, Inc., a unit of Collective Brands, Inc., is the largest specialty family footwear retailer in the Western Hemisphere and is dedicated to democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories and inspiring fun, fashion possibilities for the family at a great value. As of the end of second quarter 2010, the company operated nearly 4,500 stores. In addition, customers can buy shoes over the Internet through Payless.com(R) at www.payless.com.

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(R), Dexter(R), Champion(R), Zoe & Zac(TM), the first-ever affordable green footwear brand, and designer collections Lela Rose for Payless, Unforgettable Moments by Lela Rose, Christian Siriano for Payless, Patricia Field for Payless, Isabel Toledo for Payless and STPL x Airwalk, among others; Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group, focused on lifestyle and performance branded footwear and high-quality children's footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite(R), Keds(R), Sperry Top-Sider(R), Robeez(R), and Saucony(R), among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit, with such youth lifestyle brands as Airwalk(R), Vision Street Wear(R), Sims(R), Lamar(R) and LTD(R). Information about, and links for shopping on, each of the Collective Brand's units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

SOURCE Payless & Collective Brands, Inc.