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(Brookville, Ohio)- Payless ShoeSource, a subsidiary of Collective Brands, Inc, plans to add 200,000 square feet to its distribution center here and hire about 100 extra workers.

The additional 200,000-square-foot space will support the Stride Rite unit of Collective Brands to about 300 Stride Rite stores and to wholesale customers. The original 600,000-square-foot center will be dedicated to Payless product distribution needs, serving stores located east of the Rocky Mountains, as well as Payless.com fulfillment. It will also serve the product dyeing needs of Payless’ new special occasion dyeable designer footwear label Unforgettable Moments by Lela Rose.

The company said it is on track to begin operations at the eastern distribution center in Brookville later this month. Before the expansion announcement, it was set to employ about 300.

The Brookville distribution center was originally announced in early 2007. Later that year, Payless acquired The Stride Rite Corporation and its brands, Stride Rite, Keds, Saucony and Sperry Top-Sider, among others. Upon completion of the acquisition, the company renamed the holding company to Collective Brands, Inc., which now operates three business units: Payless ShoeSource, Stride Rite, and Collective Licensing International and a strong portfolio of well-recognized, iconic brands.

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Clayco Construction Group, which led the construction of the original 600,000-square-foot facility, will lead the latest expansion project, slated for completion by the spring of 2009.

For more information about the company visit http://www.collectivebrands.com.