Charming Shoppes Comments on Notice by Crescendo Group

BENSALEM, Pa., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Charming Shoppes, Inc.,
(Nasdaq: CHRS), a leading multi-brand, multi-channel specialty apparel
retailer specializing in women's plus-size apparel, today confirmed that it
has received notice that Crescendo Partners II L.P., Series Q, intends to
nominate three individuals, including two hedge fund representatives, for
election to Charming Shoppes' Board of Directors at the Company's 2008 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders. The Company issued the following statement:
Charming Shoppes' Board of Directors and management team are committed to
acting in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

We have had extensive conversations with the group and are prepared to
have continuing conversations with them as long as they are constructive.
However, the Board of Directors will not be distracted from its focus on
the best interests of all Charming Shoppes shareholders by the threat of a
proxy contest from a dissident shareholder group.

Charming Shoppes Board of Directors is independent, diverse and open-
minded, and its interests are closely aligned with those of all Charming
Shoppes shareholders. Our Board, which is comprised of eight directors,
seven of whom are independent, is actively engaged in the strategy of the
Company and is committed to building value for all shareholders.

Additional Information:
Charming Shoppes, Inc. and its directors and executive officers may be
deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in
connection with the Company's 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The
Company plans to file a proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the
Annual Meeting. Information concerning persons who may be considered
participants in the solicitation of the Company's shareholders under the rules
of the SEC is set forth in public filings filed by the Company with the SEC,
including its proxy statement relating to its 2007 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, and will be set forth in its proxy statement relating to its
2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. These documents may be (currently or
when filed with the SEC) obtained free of charge at the SEC's website at
http://www.sec.gov and the Company's website at
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=106124&p=irol-sec
or MacKenzie Partners at 1-800-322-2885 or via email at
proxy@mackenziepartners.com.
Charming Shoppes, Inc. operates 2,455 retail stores in 48 states under the
names LANE BRYANT(R), FASHION BUG(R), FASHION BUG PLUS(R), CATHERINES PLUS
SIZES(R), LANE BRYANT OUTLET(TM), PETITE SOPHISTICATE(R) and PETITE
SOPHISTICATE OUTLET(TM). Apparel, accessories, footwear and gift catalogs,
including the following titles, are operated by Charming Shoppes' Crosstown
Traders: Lane Bryant Woman, Old Pueblo Traders, Bedford Fair, Willow Ridge,
Lew Magram, Brownstone Studio, Intimate Appeal, Monterey Bay Clothing Company,
Coward Shoe and Figi's. Please visit www.charmingshoppes.com for additional
information about Charming Shoppes, Inc.
SOURCE Charming Shoppes, Inc.

Gayle M. Coolick, Director of Investor Relations of Charming Shoppes, Inc.,
+1-215-638-6955; or Dan Burch or Jeanne Carr, both of MacKenzie Partners,
Inc., +1-212-929-5500; or Matthew Sherman or Andrea Priest, both of Joele
Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher, +1-212-355-4449