Candie's, Inc. Announces New Agreement With Willits Footwear Worldwide

VALHALLA, N.Y., /PRNewswire/ -- Candie's Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Willits Footwear Worldwide, a leading distributor of children's footwear based in Halifax, PA, to distribute Candie's Kids footwear in the United States to independent footwear and apparel retailers.

Candie's will continue in-house service of the department store and chain footwear store distribution channels in the U.S. David Helter, President of the Candie's Kids Division, stated, "This agreement will gain the Candie's Kids brand national penetration in the important children's specialty and family footwear stores, increasing sales and market share.

Willets services this channel extremely well and we believe this is an excellent deal for both of our companies." Ross Spicher, Chief Executive Officer of Willits Footwear Worldwide said, "Willits has a sales, customer service and distribution infrastructure specifically tailored to serve the highly fragmented independent specialty retail channel.

We believe we can quickly expand Candie's business in the domestic market into this stable and hard to reach base of customers." Willits has begun immediate distribution, beginning with the Fall 2001 season.

Willits and Candie's Inc. combined their efforts to show at last weekend's Children's Club trade show held in the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, allowing the companies to gain important exposure for the brand and write both Fall 2001 and Spring 2002 business. Willits is currently in the process of setting up appointments for the sell-in of the Candie's Kids Spring 2002 line across the country.

To make appointments or place orders, independent retailers can contact Willits customer service at (800) 544-3633. Candie's Inc. owns both the Candie's and Bongo names for children's footwear.

Candie's Kids target consumer is a fashion-forward young girl aged The brand covers multiple categories including sandals, fashion boots, athletic, back-to-school shoes and canvas. Available in all kids sizes, it retails from $25 to $40.

Candie's Inc. is a leading designer and marketer of young women's footwear, apparel and accessories. The Company distributes its products through better department and specialty stores nationwide, as well as through ten company-owned stores and specialty stores internationally.

Candie's, Inc. also owns and markets footwear, accessories and apparel under the Bongo(R) trademark. Candie's also arranges for the manufacture of footwear products for mass market and discount retailers under the private label brand of the retailer or other trademarks owned or licensed by Candie's, Inc. Additionally, the Candie's brand is licensed for the manufacture, sale and distribution of fragrances and cosmetics, handbags, sunglasses, watches, apparel and cell phone accessories.

Candie's Inc. operates http://www.Candies.com, a leading community for teens on the web. For investor information please visit the corporate web site at http://www.Candiesinc.com.

Willits Footwear Worldwide has serviced the network of Independent Children's Dealers since 1917. It has a dedicated sales force of 10 professional representatives focusing on 1, 500 Children's Dealers throughout the USA.

Safe Harbor Provision SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995.

The statements which are not historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors all of which are difficult or impossible to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such factors include, but are not limited to the risks detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, and uncertainty associated with the impact on the Company in relation to recent events discussed in the Company's Form 10-K for fiscal 2001. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "seek" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
SOURCE: Candie's, Inc.
CONTACT: Maria Dolgetta, Public Relations Manager of Candie's, Inc., +1-212-730-0030, ext. 109, mdolgetta@candiesinc.com
Web site: http://www.Candies.com http://www.Candiesinc.com/ (CAND)