Profile: Charming Shoppes, Inc. (CHRS.O)

Charming Shoppes, Inc., incorporated in 1969, is a multi-brand, specialty apparel retailer with a market share in women’s plus-size specialty apparel. The Company operates in two segments: retail stores segment and direct-to-consumer segment. Retail stores segment operate retail stores and store-related e-commerce Websites through its brands LANE BRYANT, FASHION BUG and CATHERINES PLUS SIZES. The Company’s direct-to-consumer segment operates women’s apparel, and food and specialty gift products. In September 2008, the Company sold its Crosstown Traders non-core misses apparel catalogs. In July 2009, the Company announced that it has discontinued its exploration of the sale of its Figi's Gifts in Good Taste catalog business, based in Wisconsin. In November 2009, the Company completed the sale of Charming Shoppes’ credit card receivables programs to Alliance Data Systems Corporation.

LANE BRYANT is a brand name in plus-size fashion. The Company offers apparel in plus-sizes 14 to 28, including intimate apparel, wear-to-work and casual sportswear, and accessories under labels, such as VENEZIA, CACIQUE, and LANE BRYANT. LANE BRYANT has a customer base, ranging in age from 35 to 55 years old, which shops for fashionable merchandise. It also offers casual and wear-to-work sportswear assortments with an expanded line of CACIQUE intimates, as well as additional national brands, presented in a double store-front.

FASHION BUG stores specialize in selling plus-size and misses apparel in sizes 6-30 serving women’s lifestyle needs from casual to dressy, as well as accessories, intimate apparel, and footwear. Its customers range in age from 20 to 49 years old. CATHERINES PLUS SIZES specializes in extended sizes and petite plus-sizes. It offers classic apparel and accessories for wear-to-work and casual lifestyles. Its customers are generally in the 40 years old and older age group.

Retail stores segment

The Company’s retail stores segment has 2,301 retail stores primarily located in suburban areas and small towns. Approximately 79% of these stores are located in strip shopping centers and lifestyle centers, with the remainder located in community and regional malls. The majority of its FASHION BUG, CATHERINES, and outlet stores are strip-center based.

Direct-to-Consumer Segment

The Company established its direct-to-consumer segment with the acquisition of Crosstown Traders, Inc. Crosstown Traders operated multiple catalog titles and related Websites, with catalog sales of women's apparel, footwear, and accessories. The Company owns 125,000 square-feet of automated distribution center space in Marshfield, Wisconsin, 122,000 square-foot leased facility in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and 46,000 square-foot owned facility in Neillsville, Wisconsin.