Article content

Nine Ottawa stores belonging to Payless ShoeSource are expected to close in the next few months after the company filed for bankruptcy in the United States.

Payless has 248 stores across Canada, and 2,500 stores in North America.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Nine shoe stores in Ottawa to close as result of Payless bankruptcy Back to video

The company said in a news release after the filing on Monday that it expects these outlets will begin shutting down at the end of March though it intends for “many stores (to) remain open through the end of May.”

“Over the years, we have had highs and lows amidst significant operational and market challenges,” the company said in a recent letter to its customers. “Despite our best efforts to address the rapidly changing retail environment, we — like many other retailers — have been forced to face very difficult choices.”

Payless describes how its goal of maintaining its brand while continuing to reach customers around the world caused it to file for an earlier bankruptcy in April 2017.