Wolverine Worldwide is going ahead with its slimming-down program by licensing out its Stride-Rite brand of children's shoes. After closing all its Stride-Rite retail stores, it has signed a global, long-term license for the brand with Vida Shoes International, a company that runs a portfolio of more than a dozen women's and kids' shoe brands. Wolverine has created a new Children's Group to develop children's products for its remaining brands, including Hush Puppies, Keds, Merrell, Saucony and Sperry. The new unit will be run by a dedicated vice president and general manager, Bornie Del Priore, who worked in senior footwear-related positions at Tommy Bahama, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren. She will report to Richie Woodworth, president of Wolverine's Boston Group.

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