Payless Returns from Bankruptcy as an Online Retailer: Business Casual

Millennials saw another piece of their childhood die off last year when news revealed the reliable back-to-school staple, Payless Shoesource, was filing for bankruptcy. The affordable shoe store chain could not survive the ecommerce boom and shuttered over 2,000 brick and mortar locations.

Powered by RedCircle

But, an announcement on Tuesday revealed Payless is making a phoenix-like comeback. The brand is returning to the market with the same values, community and affordability, but with an all new range of products including shoes, apparel, and accessories. Reflecting the expansion in merchandise, the company plans to drop “shoesource,” from the name. Payless intends to start online in ecommerce, with plans to open 300-500 new stores. The stores will reflect the shift toward the experience economy and feature technology like touch screens, smart mirrors, and augmented reality.

Hosts Daniel Litwin and Tyler Kern on this Business Casual snippet as they analyze Payless’s new business model, as well as how they plan to reach consumers looking for value in the middle of a pandemic.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Retail Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

DX
Pursuing the World’s Rarest DX: Vadym Ivliev, UT6UD, and the Story That Led Him to Bouvet
January 16, 2026

For some operators, Bouvet Island represents the ultimate technical challenge. For Vadym Ivliev (UT6UD), it is something more personal—and more mysterious. From his home in Kyiv—far removed from the ice, storms, and isolation of Bouvet—Vadym has long been drawn to the island not only for its legendary radio silence, but for the stories it inspires….

Read More
GameStop
Inside GameStop’s Meteoric Stock Surge: A Former Executive Reflects on Power, Pivots, and the Price of Winning
January 15, 2026

The meme-stock era may feel like old news, but its aftershocks are still reshaping how leaders think about transformation, risk, and reward. In the wake of unprecedented short squeezes, shuttered storefronts, and sudden wealth creation, executives across retail and tech are still asking what actually happened—and why. Few episodes crystallize those questions better than…

Read More
podcast
The DisruptED Journey with Tim Maitland at MarketScale (Episode Three)
January 15, 2026

Storytelling is changing fast, shaped by new platforms, shifting audiences, and a growing demand for authenticity. What started as traditional podcasting has evolved into community-driven ecosystems built on real voices and lived experience. In this landscape, storytelling isn’t just content—it’s a way to build connection, spark engagement, and drive meaningful change. When done well,…

Read More
education
The DisruptED Journey with Tim Maitland at MarketScale (Episode Two)
January 15, 2026

Education is at a crossroads. As AI, online learning, and workforce demands rapidly reshape how people gain skills, long-standing gaps in access and outcomes remain a major concern in Michigan. Recent reporting on the 2025 State of Education and Talent shows Michigan has fallen to its lowest ever ranking in per capita income, underscoring…

Read More