To date, about 12% of Payless' 5,000 stores are now using the RPSS. Currently, the RPSS is being deployed in 108 new stores each week. The company expects to be fully deployed with RPSS in 2001.

In its initial beta deployments - followed by actual roll-out - the RPSS has shown consistent and significant benefits to Payless.

First, Payless has found that the RPSS has not required any new training or support. RPSS' intuitive design indeed facilitates day-one performance by Payless associates.

In one market area, the company conducted store-to-store analyses that controlled for variables such as:

• Seasonal variations
• Market size
• Geographic location
• Store size
• New stores

	The results showed an increase in sales of 4.8%. While these results are very good, there is hope for even greater returns when one considers that only about 10% of the RPSS content is currently in place. It is safe to assume that when the additional content is deployed (by the end of 2001), sales increases will be even higher.
	The return on investment has also been rewarding for Payless. Costs for the new hardware and the development of the RPSS are projected to be recovered within 12 months.

Top management at Payless has recognized the achievements of RPSS and the value it brings to the company as well as to its customers. Today, RPSS is one of a handful of Payless' strategic business initiatives.

© 2000 Payless ShoeSource.