By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – St. Louis-based Brown Shoe Company is reorganizing its flagship Naturalizer brand.
The company plans to close 80 of its 366 Naturalizer stores in the United States and Canada, and open 30 new outlet stores over the next several years.
Company spokeswoman Beth Fagan says it's part of a strategy to further boost the brand.
"Over the past six years we've rejuvenated the brand, we've lowered the average age of our customers, and we've doubled the market share," Fagan said. "And now to take Naturalizer to the next level we are adding talent in our wholesale organization and are refining our store portfolio."
Brown Shoe is also consolidating all buying and merchandise planning into its St. Louis headquarters.
But the company is keeping mum on details of the store closures. Those affected will be shut down by April.
Local Naturalizer stores are located in Chesterfield, Des Peres, St. Charles, Richmond Heights, and Fairview Heights.