Kinney Shoes, a major retailer of affordable family footwear for decades, was discontinued in 1998 by its parent company, Woolworth (later Foot Locker), as part of a shift away from general merchandise and towards more specialized stores, with many locations becoming Foot Locker or closing, marking the end of a brand known for value but unable to compete in the changing retail landscape.

Key Details:

Founding & Growth: Started by G.R. Kinney in 1894, it became a huge chain selling affordable shoes, especially popular after being acquired by Woolworth in 1963.

Acquisition: F.W. Woolworth bought the Kinney Shoe Corporation in 1963, with Foot Locker emerging as a Kinney division in 1974.

Decline & Closure: By the late 1990s, Kinney struggled to balance affordability with modern retail demands, leading to the closure of all 467 Kinney stores in 1998.

Legacy: The brand was absorbed by the Foot Locker corporation, which eventually changed its own name to Foot Locker in 2001, retaining the Kinney trademarks but ceasing the store operations.

Why It Disappeared: Kinney Shoes couldn't adapt to the evolving retail market, failing to be cheap enough for budget shoppers or appealing enough for higher-income customers, ultimately leading to its discontinuation alongside other legacy Woolworth brands.