* Says to expand Payless into Russia in 2010
* Says will open at least 90 stores in 5 yrs
* Says will open 5 stores in 2010
* Says to open 300 stores in Russia in the long run
Sept 1 (Reuters) - Collective Brands Inc PSS.N said on Tuesday it planned to expand Payless ShoeSource into the Russian market in 2010 along with franchise partner M.H. Alshaya.
Collective, which is the holding company for Payless ShoeSource and Stride Rite, plans to open at least 90 stores in about five years, of which 5 will be opened by late 2010, the company said in a statement.
Last September, The Topeka, Kansas-based company had announced its first franchisee deal, expanding Payless ShoeSource into the Middle East with the same franchise partner.
Kuwait's Alshaya develops and operates stores for retailers and restaurants like Starbucks Corp SBUX.O, H&M, Foot Locker Inc FL.N and Dean & Deluca, among others.
Through the franchise arrangement, Payless provides Alshaya with product assortments, as well as expertise in retail operations, merchandising, marketing and brand strategy, while Alshaya provides retail location strategy, construction, logistics, and store training and staffing, Collective said.
Collective Brands shares closed at $15.84 Monday on the New York Stock Exchange. (Reporting by Nivedita Bhattacharjee in Bangalore; Editing by Unnikrishnan Nair)
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