Payless - Our motto: When in doubt, buy 'em all.

Amid the fitness and sneaker crazes of the 1980s, Payless found success with its Pro Wings sneakers. Selling for just $15 to $20, the sneakers featured Velcro straps instead of laces - and with their price and practicality became a popular choice among schoolchildren. Payless ShoeSource Inc.

Payless did not evolve with the market. The Payless private label shoe selection became less and less competitive, offering repetitive shoe offerings while other budget retailers seasonally offered up-to-date, fashionable shoes, at similar price points.

But it also faced profound challenges. Many malls and shopping centers were entering a death spiral, with falling foot traffic, store closings and underinvestment. People were increasingly buying shoes online, along with most everything else. Payless had underinvested in its information technology infrastructure.

Payless Relaunches in North America After Closing Over 2,000 US Stores and Filing for Bankruptcy. Payless has officially returned to the North American market after filing for bankruptcy in April 2017 and again in February 2019.

2019: Payless filed for a second bankruptcy and closed all their remaining stores in the United States and Canada, which was also coincidental with Shopko's own bankruptcy and liquidation. 2020: Payless emerges from bankruptcy and plans to re-launch a U.S. e-commerce site.