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Charming Shoppes Reports April 2005 Sales

From: ASAP

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Charming Shoppes, Inc., (Nasdaq: CHRS), a leading retail apparel chain specializing in women's plus-size apparel, reported that total sales for the four weeks ended April 30, 2005 increased 5% to $203,100,000 from $194,300,000 for the four weeks ended May 1, 2004. Comparable store sales for Charming Shoppes, Inc. increased 3% for the four weeks ended April 30, 2005.

Total sales for the thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2005 increased 2% to $603,100,000 from $592,700,000 for the thirteen weeks ended May 1, 2004. Comparable store sales for Charming Shoppes, Inc. were flat for the thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2005.

Comparable store sales by chain for the four and thirteen week periods ended April 30, 2005 were:

Four Weeks Thirteen Weeks Ended 4/30/05 Ended 4/30/05

Lane Bryant Stores 0% 0% Fashion Bug Stores +4% -2% Catherines Stores +10% +4% Total Corporation +3% 0%

The Company's plans anticipate that comparable store sales for the consolidated corporation will be flat during May 2005, compared to strong comparable store sales of +5% during May 2004. Sales in May 2004 benefited from unseasonably warm weather.

For more detailed information on monthly sales, please call 1-866-CHRS-NEWS (1-866-247-7639) to listen to Charming Shoppes, Inc.'s prerecorded monthly sales commentary. This recording will be available until May 9, 2005.

Charming Shoppes will host its First Quarter Fiscal 2006 earnings conference call on Thursday, May 19, 2005.

Charming Shoppes, Inc. operates 2,230 stores in 48 states under the names LANE BRYANT(R), FASHION BUG(R), FASHION BUG PLUS(R), and CATHERINES PLUS SIZES(R). During the thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2005 the Company opened 16, relocated 16, and closed 7 stores. Please visit http://www.charmingshoppes.com for additional information about Charming Shoppes, Inc.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company's operations, performance, and financial condition. These forward- looking statements include statements regarding future performance, earnings, sales, and other matters. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Such risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to: failure to successfully implement the Company's business plan for increased profitability and growth in the plus-size women's apparel business, changes in or miscalculation of fashion trends, extreme or unseasonable weather conditions, economic downturns, a weakness in overall consumer demand, failure to find suitable store locations, the ability to hire and train associates, trade restrictions and political or financial instability in countries where goods are manufactured, the interruption of merchandise flow to the Company's retail stores from its centralized distribution facilities, competitive pressures, and the adverse effects of acts or threats of war, terrorism, or other armed conflict on the United States and international economies. These, and other risks and uncertainties, are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2005 and other Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Charming Shoppes assumes no duty to update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

SOURCE Charming Shoppes, Inc.

Posted May 2005

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