Full Description

Chico’s FAS, Inc. is a specialty retailer of private branded, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates, complementary accessories, and other non-clothing gift items under the Chico’s, White House |Black Market (WH|BM) and Soma Intimates (Soma) brand names. The Chico’s brand sells designed, private branded clothing focusing on women 35 and over with a moderate to high income level. The Chico’s brand controls the design process, including choices of pattern, prints, construction, design specifications, fabric, finishes and color through in-house designers, purchased designs, and working with its independent vendors to develop designs. The WH|BM brand, sells fashion and merchandise primarily in black and white, and related shades focusing on women who are 25 years old and up with a moderate to high income level. WH|BM utilizes an in-house design team and also works with its independent vendors and agents to select, modify, and create its product offerings. The Soma brand sells primarily designed private branded intimate apparel, sleepwear and activewear.

Chico’s offers accessories, such as handbags, belts, scarves and jewelry, including earrings, watches, necklaces and bracelets, which are designed to coordinate with the colors and patterns of the Chico’s brand clothing, enabling customers to enhance and individualize their wardrobe selections. Soma offerings are classified into two categories: foundations and apparel. The foundations category includes bras, panties and shapewear, while the apparel category includes activewear, sleepwear, robes and loungewear. As of January 31, 2009, the Company operated 1,076 retail stores in 49 states, the District of Columbia, the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The retail stores operate under the Company’s three brands: Chico’s, White House |Black Market and Soma Intimates.

The Company competes with Nordstrom’s, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Gap, Talbots, J. Jill, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Christopher & Banks, Coldwater Creek, Lands’ End, L.L. Bean, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Gap, New York and Co. and Express.