Catherines Plus Sizes Expands to Include 33 Outlet Locations

BENSALEM, Pa., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Catherines Plus Sizes® is proud to announce the opening of 33 stores in outlet centers throughout the country. Offering classic career and casual clothing at outlet prices, Catherines outlet locations will cater to women wearing plus sizes (16W to 34W and 0X to 5X) when doors open for business on February 10, 2010.

Carol Williams, President of Catherines, said, "We are extremely pleased to introduce Catherines in outlet centers throughout the country, providing additional shopping convenience to our customers. What's more, our expansion into outlet locations in 2010 coincides with the anniversary of our 50th year of business. Our thriving chain originated in Memphis, Tennessee in 1960 with a single store. Following this month's planned openings in outlet centers, we will have grown to nearly 500 locations nationwide. In an environment where few retailers are expanding their store base, we are especially pleased for the opportunity to serve our customer through the growth of our brand."

Williams added, "Catherines continues to lead the industry in customer service and satisfaction. Known for our warm and friendly service, Catherines sales associates are specially trained to anticipate the needs of our customer and always put her first. Our goal is to surprise and delight her every time she walks in the door."

The new Catherines stores in outlet centers will offer fresh collections for the way today's women live and work. Styles include easy-care career dressing, casual fashion tops and pants, denim looks, activewear and intimate apparel. As in all Catherines stores, the assortment is designed exclusively to flatter the plus-size figure, offering comfort, fit and value to an extraordinarily loyal customer following.

About Catherines

Catherines Plus Sizes is a store for stylish tastes, exclusively serving customers wearing Plus, Petite Plus and Extended Plus Sizes. Catherines' vision is to be nationally recognized as the store of choice for the 45+ plus-size woman. Our brand is positioned to serve the fastest growing demographic in America...  the female Baby Boomer, and fills a much-needed niche for women who wear sizes 16W to 34W, a range not readily offered elsewhere.

Catherines' approach to the plus-size market as "Fit Specialists" offers dependability and consistency to our loyal customer base. As a size specialist, Catherines has developed an expertise in providing merchandise catering to plus-size women and hard-to-find extended sizes as well as to plus-petite sizes up to 34W. Our customers can find any Catherines store or shop Catherines on the Web at www.catherines.com. Please visit http://www.catherines.com/custserv/locate_store.cmd to find a Catherines store in an outlet center near you.

Catherines Plus Sizes is owned and operated by Charming Shoppes, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHRS), a leading multi-brand apparel retailer specializing in women's plus-size apparel. Charming Shoppes operates more than 2,100 retail apparel stores in 48 states. Lane Bryant®, Fashion Bug®, Catherines®, Cacique®, Lane Bryant Outlet® and Figi's® are owned and operated by Charming Shoppes, Inc.  For more information, please visit www.charmingshoppes.com.

SOURCE Catherines Plus Sizes