Executives decided to close the locations due to their "ongoing review of our operations, especially in this challenging environment," says Dorritt Bern, the company's president and CEO, in a statement. The measure will leave Charming Shoppes will about 2,300 units.
Though it is closing all of the petite-sized-geared Petite Sophisticate retail stores, Charming Shoppes will leave open the 54 outlet units the chain operates, which are usually connected to outlet stores of the plus-sized Lane Bryant.
Fashion Bug, Charming Shoppes largest chain with just over 1,000 units, had a 6% same-store sales drop for the nine weeks ended Jan. 5. Lane Bryant retail and outlet stores, which number just over 920, fell 8%. The 476-store Catherines chain dropped 10%.
In addition to announcing the store closings, Diane Paccione, president of the company's retail business, is leaving Charming Shoppes to take on the position of Deb Shops' chief executive officer. COO Joseph Barron is replacing her.
On Saturday one employee and four customers were shot and killed at a Lane Bryant in Tinley Park, IL.
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