Charming Shoppes - Fashion Company Profile
Charming Shoppes was, for decades, America's specialist in plus-size women's retail: founded in 1940 and headquartered in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, it owned Lane Bryant, Catherines Plus Sizes and the value chain Fashion Bug - more than 1,800 stores at the time Ascena Retail Group acquired it in June 2012. Ascena closed Fashion Bug by early 2013 and absorbed the rest; Lane Bryant and Catherines have since passed to other owners. The company itself no longer exists, and this page is its record.
Company Snapshot
- Status
- Acquired and absorbed - Ascena Retail Group bought Charming Shoppes in June 2012 for about $900 million; its Fashion Bug chain was closed by early 2013 and the company ceased to exist independently, its Lane Bryant and Catherines brands continuing under new owners since
- Type
- Was public - NASDAQ: CHRS, until the 2012 acquisition
- Headquarters
- Bensalem, Pennsylvania, United States
- Founded
- 1940
Company Profile
What made Charming Shoppes matter was focus: three chains serving plus-size and value customers the department stores underserved. The three brands are described one by one in the profile section below.
Charming Shoppes, Inc. is a leading multi-brand specialty apparel retailer primarily focused on plus-size women's apparel. They are the parent company of three distinct store brands - Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug and Catherines Plus Sizes. Their vision is to be the company known for celebrating the lives and fashion image of women wearing plus sizes. Their continuing mission is to serve the lifestyle apparel needs of women wearing plus sizes with the very best service, fashion selection, value and fit. The range descriptions on this page stay in product terms - sizes, categories and store counts.
Charming Shoppes History
The earlier record for this company - its history, past brand line-ups, figures and photographs from the periods described - is kept on a separate page for historical reference.
Charming Shoppes History & Historical Profile →Common Questions
What was announced on May 2, 2012?
Ascena Retail Group and Charming Shoppes announced a definitive agreement for Ascena to acquire Charming Shoppes in a cash transaction valued at approximately $890 million, by tender offer at $7.35 per share, expected to close in the second calendar quarter of 2012.
Which three brands did Charming Shoppes parent?
Lane Bryant (acquired 2001, nearly 900 stores, sizes 14-28), Fashion Bug (the founding chain, once over 1,200 stores; final stores closed February 2013) and Catherines Plus Sizes (acquired 2000, more than 450 stores, sizes 0X-5X).
When was Charming Shoppes founded?
September 13, 1940, when Morris and Arthur Sidewater opened their first store in Philadelphia, originally called Charm Shoppes; the company became public in 1971.
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References & Further Reading
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