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

managed service
Complex AI Software Should Be Delivered as a Managed Service
February 18, 2026

Artificial intelligence software is increasing in complexity. Delivery models typically include traditional licensing or a managed service approach. The structure used to deploy these systems can influence how they operate in production environments. The CEO of Amberd, Mazda Marvasti, believes platforms at this level should be delivered as a managed service rather than under…

Read More
AI services
High Hyperscaler GPU Costs and Infrastructure Limits Drove Move to QumulusAI for Fixed-Cost AI Services and Greater Flexibility
February 18, 2026

Providing managed AI services at a predictable, fixed cost can be challenging when hyperscaler pricing models require substantial upfront GPU commitments. Large upfront commitments and limited infrastructure flexibility may prevent providers from aligning costs with their delivery model. Amberd CEO Mazda Marvasti encountered this issue when exploring GPU capacity through Amazon. The minimum requirement…

Read More
business decisions
AI Enables Faster Business Decisions, Giving Startups an Edge Over Traditional Companies
February 18, 2026

Speed in business decisions is becoming a defining competitive factor. Artificial intelligence tools now allow smaller teams to analyze information and act faster than traditional organizations. Established companies face increasing pressure as decision cycles shorten across industries. Mazda Marvasti, CEO of Amberd, says new entrants are already using AI to accelerate business decisions. He…

Read More
business insights
Amberd Delivers Real-Time Business Insights, Cutting Executive Reporting From Weeks to Minutes With ADA
February 18, 2026

Many organizations struggle to deliver real-time business insights to executives. Traditional workflows require analysts and database teams to extract, prepare, and validate data before it reaches decision makers. That process can stretch across departments and delay critical answers.. Mazda Marvasti, CEO of Amberd, says the cycle to answer a single business question can take…

Read More