Brown Shoe Drives New Line of Character Footwear Into Stores

Brown Shoe Drives New Line of Character Footwear Into Stores

Company introduces footwear inspired by Disney/PIXAR film 'Cars'

ST. LOUIS, March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brown Shoe Company, Inc. (NYSE:BWS) ( http://www.brownshoe.com/ ) is introducing a line of character shoes inspired by the upcoming Disney/PIXAR animated film "Cars" ( http://www.pixar.com/theater/trailers/cars/index.html ). The shoes will zoom into stores for the first time in April, in advance of the June 9 film release.

The spring line includes athletics, skate shoes, sport sandals and EVA sandals for boys ages three to eight. All styles incorporate one or both of the two main characters from the film -- Lightning McQueen, hotshot rookie racecar voiced by Owen Wilson, and Tow Mater, a rusty but trusty tow truck voiced by LARRY THE CABLE GUY. With details like metallic ornamentation, racing-inspired accents and outsoles molded to look like tires, the shoe designs capture the high-octane excitement and humor of "Cars".

"Kids think of characters as 'their' brands, and the rich, unique characters featured in 'Cars' are a natural fit for a children's footwear line," said Todd Murray, Brown Shoe's director of brands and licenses. "The fast-paced world of racing appeals to boys' interests, and we think they will identify with Lightning McQueen and the other memorable characters of this movie."

"Cars" shoes will be available for spring at various retailers, call 1.800.766.6465 for locations. The fall line, which also includes slippers, will debut in conjunction with the film's DVD release in November.

Brown Shoe is a $2.3 billion footwear company with global operations. The Company operates the 900+ store Famous Footwear chain, which sells brand name shoes for the family. It also operates 300+ specialty retail stores in the U.S. and Canada under the Naturalizer, FX LaSalle and Via Spiga stores that sell Via Spiga names, and Shoes.com, the Company's e-commerce subsidiary. Brown Shoe, through its Wholesale divisions, owns and markets leading footwear brands including Naturalizer, LifeStride, Via Spiga, Nickels Soft, Connie and Buster Brown; it also markets licensed brands including Franco Sarto, Dr. Scholl's, Etienne Aigner, Bass and Carlos by Carlos Santana for adults, and Barbie, Disney and Nickelodeon character footwear for children. Brown Shoe press releases are available on the Company's web site at http://www.brownshoe.com/ .

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These include (i) general economic conditions and the consumer's preferences and purchasing patterns, which may be influenced by consumers' disposable income; (ii) the uncertainties of currently pending litigation; (iii) intense competition within the footwear industry; (iv) political and economic conditions or other threats to continued and uninterrupted flow of inventory from Brazil and China, where the Company relies heavily on third-party manufacturing facilities for a significant amount of its inventory; and (v) consumer reaction to future entertainment offerings or related characters. The Company's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission contain detailed information relating to such factors. The Company does not undertake any obligation or plan to update these forward- looking statements, even though its situation may change.

Source: Brown Shoe Company, Inc.

CONTACT: Beth Fagan or Erin Conroy of Brown Shoe Company,
+1-314-854-4095

Web site: http://www.brownshoe.com/

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