Payless?

May 3, 2011 - 10:00 AM by

Payless Israel (Ynet)

Pesach heralded the arrival of yet another American retailer, Payless ShoeSource. The discount retailer specializes in significantly less expensive shoes for the whole family, featuring both well-known and lesser-known brands. The Sakal Group is the brand’s franchiser in Israel, and opened the chain’s first two stores in Petach Tikvah and Beersheva. They’re looking to “change the shoe market in Israel and the way Israelis buy shoes,” says owner Solly Sakal.

Now, I know there are those who are thrilled about the arrival of Payless, but I have mixed feelings about them. We have our own discounted retailers, such as Gazith, which features funky, Israeli-designed and China-manufactured women’s shoes that are cute and cheap, if sometimes uncomfortable. Of course, that’s only for women. In the kids’ sector, there’s Gali and Nimrod, and even when you hit an outlet, prices are cheap, but they’re not usually giving it away (although I have gotten great deals at Nimrod). Men’s shoes, well, that’s a tough one, hard to find anything really cheap in this land. And, of course, cheap isn’t necessarily always great value, although Payless does offer that opportunity to buy something very trendy for a smaller expenditure.

Now given the Payless shoe prices here — between NIS 60-NIS 230 (about $17-67), and the average price for women’s shoes is NIS 100 ($29) — Sakal says the brand’s prices will be identical to those in the U.S., with the addition of VAT, which adds another 16% to the price. He also said Payless will have sales like the ones in the U.S., at which they offer 50% off a second product. Well, sales are always welcome.

According to Sakal, six additional Payless ShoeSource stores will open in Haifa, the Krayot area, Ashdod, Nazareth and Jerusalem between April and June. Nine additional stores will open between July and December in Rishon Lezion, Rehovot and other cities. Sakal is still in talks for opening the chain’s stores in Tel Aviv.

And the Teva Naot outlet at Neot Mordechai

In the meantime, though, if you want some local discounted footwear, check out these options:
Herzliya Outlet: Some 40 outlets of well-known Israeli stores, including Original’s, Israel’s comfort shoe chain, with great discounts on well-known comfort shoes for men, women and children.
Nimrod Outlet: All kids’ shoes, many of them from previous seasons, and well-discounted. Hadar Mall, Talpiot, Jerusalem.
Teva-Naot: If you’re heading to Gush Etzion, check out the Teva Naot outlet in Kibbutz Kfar Etzion.

Tags: , , , , , , • Category: Business, General, Immigrant Moments, Israeliness 

Comments

5 Comments on Payless?

  1. Ronit on Thu, May 5th 2011 8:51 AM

    2. What I want to know is if they’ll have size 12 women’s shoes. Thats why I loved payless in the US- they were one of the few stores that carried my size. Can’t find shoes my size in israel for less than 500 shekel. Will the arrival of payless change that? Please please please!!!

  2. Rachel on Thu, May 5th 2011 11:26 AM

    3. I refuse to shop in a chain that misuses an apostrophe. Unless I am in error and the owner of the store is actually Mr. Yossi Original.

  3. varda on Thu, May 5th 2011 8:33 PM

    4. i’d prefer trader joe’s

  4. Jessica on Mon, May 9th 2011 12:38 PM

    5. Rachel and Varda, I hear you.

  5. Shoe shopping | ISRAELITY on Thu, Jan 26th 2012 1:06 PM

    6. [...] years of not enough shoes in Israel, unattractive imported shoes or too-familiar, Teva Naot, Nimrod and other sandal-focused shoes — Israeli shoe designers have been multiplying at a [...]

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