After reporting an earnings-per-share drop during its Q4, to 74cents from 75 cents during the same year-ago period, Charronannounced that the company will lay off 500 people and close 20stores in its non-growth chains. Those moves should result in asavings of between $60 million and $65 million next year and helpwith the company's acquisition and retail growth strategy, hesays.

In the near term, the Liz chain that will see the biggest growthis 105-store Lucky Brand jeans chain, which is forecast of 35 to 40US openings this year, as well as three to five in Europe (on topof its two units in the continent) and its first two in Canada. ItsSigrid Olsen chain, with 45 units, will come in second this yearwith 20 to 25 openings as well as two in Canada.

Juicy Couture, the high-end, casual-fashion chain will see itsthree-store base increase dramatically, with 10 to 15 new locationsthis year. Mexx, which has 506 stores mostly in Europe, will open15 units, and executives are looking at expansion plans for thebrand in France, Germany, Italy and the Middle East.