NINE WEST AND SOLES4SOULS™ Inc. ANNOUNCE SHOE DRIVE AT NINE WEST RETAIL STORES NATIONWIDE
Residents across the U.S. are invited to recycle their 'gently worn' shoes for people in need
New York and Nashville, TN – (September 2009) – As part of the launch of the Nine West Vintage America Collection, Nine West and Soles4Souls are stepping up their partnership to collect gently worn footwear to benefit those in need. From September 9, 2009 through September 24, 2009 customers who bring in a pair of gently worn shoes into any Nine West retail store nationwide will receive 15% off any purchase of $75 or more, which can be used online or in-store. All 192 participating Nine West stores will donate the recycled shoes directly to Soles4Souls. Nine West is a division of Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (NYSE: JNY).
In keeping with the authentic spirit of the Nine West Vintage America Collection, Nine West is proud to support Soles4Souls and help those in need worldwide with the gift of shoes. Nine West and Soles4Souls will work together to raise awareness and inspire others to make a contribution.
“Soles4Souls’ mission is for people to use the shoes taking up space in their closets to change the world one pair at a time,” Elsey said. “We are pleased to be partnering with Nine West and encourage all of our other partners to 'STEP UP' and get behind our call to action. Donating gently worn shoes is one of the most simplest yet profound gifts you can make, and it will greatly improve someone’s life in the most difficult of times.”
“As part of our ongoing partnership with Soles4Souls, we are thrilled to bring this program to Nine West consumers nationwide and enable them to join in the mission of recycling shoes and giving back to the community,” said Jay Friedman, CEO Jones Retail Corporation. “Philanthropy has always been part of our company’s DNA and with the help of our consumers we anticipate donating a lot of shoes to those in need.”
Every 13 seconds, Soles4Souls, Inc. gives away a pair of shoes to someone in need. The shoe charity has earned glowing endorsements from Hollywood stars and professional athletes, but the people who truly make the non-profit organization effective are those who clean out their closets to personally drop off their ‘gently worn’ shoes at a participating location.
It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes lying in their closets. Soles4Souls can use each and every one of these pairs to make a tangible difference in someone's life.
To donate or for more information visit www.giveshoes.org.
About Jones Apparel Group
Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (www.jonesapparel.com) is a leading designer, marketer and wholesaler of branded apparel, footwear and accessories. The Company also markets directly to consumers through its chain of specialty retail and value-based stores. The Company's nationally recognized brands include Jones New York, Nine West, Anne Klein, Gloria Vanderbilt, Kasper, Bandolino, Easy Spirit, Evan-Picone, l.e.i., Energie, Enzo Angiolini, Joan & David, Mootsies Tootsies, Sam & Libby, Napier, Judith Jack, Albert Nipon and Le Suit. The Company also markets costume jewelry under the Givenchy brand licensed from Givenchy Corporation, footwear under the Dockers Women brand licensed from Levi Strauss & Co and apparel under the Rachel Roy brand licensed from Rachel Roy IP Company, LLC. Each brand is differentiated by its own distinctive styling, pricing strategy, distribution channel and target consumer. The Company contracts for the manufacture of its products through a worldwide network of quality manufacturers. The Company has capitalized on its nationally known brand names by entering into various licenses for several of its trademarks, including Jones New York, Evan-Picone, Anne Klein New York, Nine West, Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i., with select manufacturers of women's and men's products which the Company does not manufacture. For more than 30 years, the Company has built a reputation for excellence in product quality and value, and in operational execution.
About Soles4Souls
Nashville-based Soles4Souls™ facilitates the donations of both new and used shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Soles4Souls has distributed more than 5 million pairs (currently donating one pair every 13 seconds) to people in over 125 countries, including Honduras, Uganda, Romania, and the United States. The charity has been featured in Runner's World and the Green Guide by National Geographic. It has also appeared on CNN, NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, BBC and hundreds of regional outlets around North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS; donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Visit www.giveshoes.org
