Star Jones Visits Payless ShoeSource's Headquarters to Learn the Business Of Being the Nation's Largest Footwear Retailer

Star Jones Visits Payless ShoeSource's Headquarters to Learn the Business Of Being the Nation's Largest Footwear Retailer

		STAR JONES VISITS PAYLESS SHOESOURCE HEADQUARTERS Star Jones, TV talk show host and Payless' chief of consumer style, takes customers' calls in Payless' Customer Support Center at a visit to the Payless corporate headquarters yesterday. (PRNewsFoto)[JL] TOPEKA, KS USA

TV Talk Show Host and Payless Chief of Consumer Style Meets Employees, Tours Facility, Talks to Customers in Company Support Center TOPEKA, Kan., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Payless' Chief of Consumer Style, Star Jones, Co-Host on ABC's The View, paid a visit to the Payless ShoeSource corporate headquarters yesterday and came away with a better understanding of what it takes to be the largest shoe retailer in North America. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021015/CGTU064 ) "Payless ShoeSource is astounding," said Star. "Lots of people don't realize this, but this company puts more footwear fashion on people's feet than any other retailer or designer out there, and it takes remarkable people and a highly efficient organization to do this and do it well. As Payless' chief of consumer style, it was important for me to have firsthand knowledge of the people and operations behind this business, and after yesterday's trip to the company's headquarters, I am truly impressed. Payless ShoeSource is a fashion-forward footwear tour de force." Star's day began with an all-employee meeting where she addressed the audience, answered questions and held a photo session. The rest of the day she met with associates in key functional areas of the organization. Star also toured the sophisticated Payless business operations, which included making a stop at the Customer Support Center, which handles daily calls from customers and sales associates and is a key piece of Payless' leading customer management program. There, Star surprised several callers by personally responding to their inquiries on such topics as payless.com and the fall collection. As well, she took calls from several sales associates and got them excited about new products soon to arrive in stores. "Star is more than our ad spokesperson," said John Haugh, chief marketing officer and senior vice president of business development for Payless ShoeSource. "As our chief of consumer style, she is our consumer ambassador -- our voice to consumers about the New Payless, as well as a significant voice from consumers back into the company. People stop her all the time on the street and give her feedback on Payless. She takes her role seriously and always delivers that input back to Payless in a timely fashion. We know Star shops our stores and loves to wear our product, but in her role, it's just as important that she have a solid understanding of our business, our operations, our culture. That's what yesterday's visit was about." This past Sunday, Star also visited Payless ShoeSource stores in the Kansas City area, getting to know sales associates, and meeting with and taking input from shoppers on the fall collection and future seasonal lines from Payless. Payless ShoeSource, Inc. is North America's largest family footwear retailer. The company operates a total of 4,964 stores offering quality footwear and accessories at affordable prices. In addition, customers can buy shoes over the Internet through Payless.com(SM) at http://www.payless.com . Payless, Payless ShoeSource and Payless.com are registered trade and service marks of Payless ShoeSource Worldwide, Inc.