News; Saks to Sell Timberland Shoes

The Timberland Co.said Friday Saks Inc.will begin to offer Timberland items at some Saks Fifth Avenue stores beginning in September.

Saks Fifth Avenue will offer a line of handsewn boat shoes exclusive to Saks and other new styles from Timberland Boot Co.and Abington lines at stores in New York,Boston,Chicago among other places.

Timberland will launch a pop-up shop at the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store featuring the modern collections.It will be unveiled Sept.9.

Both companies could use a boost from the collaboration.

Timberland has suffered from lackluster sales as consumers cut back and amid a lack of new footwear trends.The Stratham,N.H.-based company reported a loss in the most recent quarter as sales fell 14 percent to $179.7 million.

Luxury retailers Saks,meanwhile,has been among the hardest hit as consumers abandon luxury purchases and hunt for bargains.Earlier this month,the New York company posted its fifth consecutive quarterly as sales fell 15 percent.

Timberland shares fell 30 cents to $13.17 during afternoon trading.

Saks shares fell 4 cents rose 5 cents to $6.39.