"Payless ShoeSource Announces the Launch of Zoe & Zac(TM), the First-Ever Affordable Green Footwear Line "

Payless is making a move toward supporting sustainable living by launching the new Zoe & Zac brand which offers "fresh green fashion" and just in time for Earth Day. The full collection features shoes, handbags, jewelry and socks for under $30. Payless now boasts the first-ever affordable line of green footwear and accessories.

The Zoe & Zac green brand has positioned itself as a brand that can democratize green footwear and accessories by making them accessible and affordable and bringing eco-friendly products to the masses. The products are made from materials like organic cottons and linen, natural hemp, recycled rubber outsoles, eco-friendly-EVA cushioning, and water-based glues for the shoes. Natural dyes are used in the jewelry production along with eco-smart packaging, which uses 100% recycled shoe boxes and soy-based inks for printing. Payless is proud to offer this to their customers since many green product options are often expensive or in non-traditional retailers/channels.

"The sustainability movement is pervasive today and is touching so many elements of consumers' daily lives and they are interested in more and more green product options being available to them," said LuAnn Via, president of Payless ShoeSource. "But green items are often expensive and inaccessible to so many. Today, we are thrilled to launch the Zoe & Zac brand and to make green footwear and accessory products affordable, delivering new options for more people to take part in a more sustainable lifestyle."

Zoe & Zac has a fashion-first position, unlike many other green product lines, and will feature seasonal updates that reflect the latest trends in footwear i.e. popular silhouettes, key colors and other styling details. Zoe & Zac is expected to evolve to a green brand for the family with expanded products for girls, as well as future offerings for men and boys.

"The most common misconception about sustainable fashion is that it comes in one color and looks one way -- neutral, boxy, baggy, shapeless," said Summer Rayne Oakes, Payless' eco consultant who is helping to deliver the new line with strong fashion and sustainable innovation. "The best sustainable fashion is invisible and that's what Zoe & Zac is all about. People like change and to wear the fashions of the season, and Payless is enabling consumers to do that in an affordable and sustainable way with this first-ever new brand."

This is a significant move for Payless and will create an enhanced brand perception around the formally 'cheap' shoe retailer. Retailers like Payless will likely remain afloat during the recession since they are making the needed changes in their product offering and delivering something unique and inspiring to their customers.

Sam's Club(R) Savings Drive to Help America's Small Businesses Succeed

Sam's Club is working for America's small business owners, and starting today many associates are committing to visit 100,000 small businesses to help identify ways they can lower their costs and thrive. The program is call the Sam's Club Small Business Savings Drive, and is a part of a campaign that operates during the National Small Business Week on May 22. The goal is find small business owners at least $270 million in savings by drawing a comparision between similar products in the small business versus Sam's Club.

This move is an excellent idea, since the success of small businesses is key to this country's economic survival. Sam's Club is demonstrating that it wants to be a part of America's solution.
Last month, President Obama outlined a small business recovery program that included tax/spending funds of more $1 billion. Of that, $720 million will be allocated for Small Business Administration programs, as well as loan guarantees (declined 57% YTD). Small businesses actually generated 60-80% of new jobs annually and employ about half of the worker's in the US.

Sam's Club is demonstrating a great understanding in American business, showing how important collboration between large and small businesses are to the stability of the US economy. If small businesses can stay afloat by cutting costs (shown by Sam's Club) and thus having the funds to grow and hire new workers, more people in the US could go back to work.

Sam's Club's actions could turn out to be a win-win for all. More job creation from small businesses means lower unemployment and higher consumer spending, creating more people with the ability to shop- maybe at places like Sam's Club. This new collaboration is a positive trend and I hope it will continue throughout the next phase of America's recession.