HOLT RENFREW PULLS IN SHOES.(Holt, Renfrew and Company Ltd.)

Footwear News, March, 2005 by Dunn, Brian

Byline: Brian Dunn

MONTREAL -- Luxe Canadian retailer Holt Renfrew & Co. is moving forward with a fresh strategy for its footwear departments.

The high-end department store plans to begin operating its own footwear boutiques in 2007 in its nine Canadian stores, ending a 14-year licensing agreement with local distributor Browns Shoes.

"This is a logical extension of the way Holt Renfrew has developed our women's ready-to-wear, men's, cosmetics and accessories divisions over the last five years, and it is in sync with the expectations of our customers, our board and our chairman," said Holt Renfrew President Caryn Lerner, who assumed her title last September, succeeding Andrew Jennings, now president and COO of Saks Fifth Avenue. "We want...