Sportswear maker launches expanding shoes

BERLIN (Reuters) - A U.S. sportswear maker has designed shoes that expand to fit a child's growing feet and says it is trying them out on cost-conscious German shoppers.


The "Max, der Wurm" (Max the worm) shoe, first delivered to stores in Germany last week, has a flexible design with an extending concertina panel between the toe and heel.


One push of a silver button and the panel can be lengthened to accommodate quickly growing feet and bring relief to frustrated parents who want to avoid buying their children countless pairs of new shoes.


Bernadette Lingg, a spokeswoman for K2, an American sporting goods firm, said on Tuesday it was targeting Germany where shoppers' keen eye for a bargain has been sharpened by economic worries that prompt many to think twice before opening their wallets.


"Our main focus is Germany. The German market for children's shoes is in a terrible state due to the number of imported models and aggressive prices," she said.