LEVI STRAUSS TO TRY ON SHOES
By Adnews Staff
U.S.-based apparel manufacturer Levi Strauss & Co., best known for its line of Levi's jeans, will step into the footwear business next year. The company recently reached a licensing agreement with The Stride Rite Corp. of Massachusetts to manufacture and market a Levi's line of footwear for men, women and children. Other footwear brands marketed by Stride Rite include Stride Rite, Keds, Sperry Top-Sider and Tommy Hilfiger. The first shipment of Levi's footwear is scheduled to ship in July 1998. Stride Rite spokesperson Lorie Karnath told Adnews the companies have not yet decided whether Canada will be included in the initial launch. The footwear will be coordinated with other Levi's products in style, distribution and marketing. Canadian advertising for Levi's is done by Harrod & Mirlin of Toronto.