The Stride Rite unit of Collective Brands, Inc., is based in Lexington, Mass., a suburb of Boston. It is the leading provider of high-quality children's footwear in the United States, and is a major provider of athletic and casual footwear for adults. Stride Rite was founded in 1919 on the strength of the Stride Rite® children's brand, but today includes a portfolio of iconic American brands addressing different market segments within the footwear industry. In addition to the Stride Rite® brand, the company markets footwear and other products under the following owned or licensed brands: Keds®, Grasshoppers®, Robeez®, Saucony®, Hind®, Sperry Top-Sider®, and Tommy Hilfiger®.

The Stride Rite unit is predominantly a wholesaler of footwear, selling its products nationally in a wide variety of retail formats including premier department stores, independent shoe stores, value retailers and specialty stores. Stride Rite also market its products through Stride Rite stores, of which there are more than 300 stores located in malls and select factory outlet centers. This unit of Collective Brands, Inc. also markets products in countries outside the United States and Canada through independent distributors and licensees.