The Limited Wraps 2012 California Expansion With New San Diego Store, Plans More Openings And Hiring For 2013

COLUMBUS, Ohio and SAN DIEGO, Oct. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- National fashion retailer The Limited, a heritage brand for the modern, working woman, wraps its year-long California expansion with the launch of a new, 3,950-square-foot store in San Diego's Fashion Valley mall, 7007 Friars Road at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 2. The Limited's CEO Linda Heasley will be on hand to kick off the weekend's grand opening events.

The Limited's opening in San Diego is its fourth new store in California this year, which combined represents 21,000-gross-square-feet of new retail space and nearly 150 new jobs statewide. Next week, The Limited will celebrate its renewed commitment to the San Diego market with its second area store featuring the brand's fresh point of view on fashion and revamped store design.

Heasley, along with Kayla Ross, 2012 Miss San Diego Cities and representatives from the San Diego Chamber of Commerce and Dress for Success San Diego, will commemorate the event with a ribbon cutting at the new store. For the entire grand opening weekend, shoppers will receive a 40 percent discount on all merchandise, a free canvas tote with purchase (while supplies last), and a chance to win one of three $500 gift cards, raffled off once a day. The 40 percent discount will also be honored at The Limited's other San Diego-area store at University Mall in La Jolla.

"This has truly been a landmark year for The Limited and California has played a significant role in our growth and expansion to priority markets," said Heasley. "We chose San Diego because the city is home to passionate fashion fans who match our client base. We are committed to providing young professional women with on-trend fashions to take them from day to night and are overjoyed to be back in Fashion Valley."

A portion of proceeds from weekend sales will go to local nonprofit Dress for Success San Diego, one of more than 150 affiliates worldwide that provides wardrobe consultation, workplace attire and job retention programs to help low income women succeed in a job interview, build careers and improve the quality of life for their families. The Limited partnered with the San Diego affiliate on its "Moonlight Chic" fundraiser and fashion show event in September, and has partnered with the nonprofit's regional affiliates in Dallas and Pittsburgh as well.

"We are committed to becoming a dedicated community partner in every new market that we enter. The alliance with Dress for Success San Diego is a natural fit for our final event in California this year; as we share a common goal of inspiring success and confidence through fashion," said Heasley.

The Limited recently underwent a significant brand overhaul, including new runway-inspired looks and attention to fit, exclusive collaborations – including its recently launched collection by celebrity designer Sophie Theallet – a national advertising campaign, new logo and a revitalized in-store shopping experience.  

With more than 255 locations nationwide, California is a priority state for the retailer. The Limited's 2012 statewide expansion featured new and remodeled locations in Roseville, Santa Ana, Fresno, and Westminster. Heasley continued, "2012 was a whirlwind year of growth, and we plan to debut more California stores next year, with an emphasis in southern California and a new location in the San Francisco Bay Area."

The Limited's new store in the recently-renovated Fashion Valley will reflect the brand's revitalized image. The new store design concept was developed after months of consumer research to enhance customer service, atmosphere and aesthetics to inspire fashion. White shelving and red accents throughout the store pop against taupe walls. Chandeliers, wood flooring and a custom mural evoke an intimate, almost boutique-like setting. Welcoming lounge areas await shopping companions and expanded fitting rooms facilitate one-on-one styling with customers.

For more information about new store locations, sales events, employment opportunities and online ordering, visit www.TheLimited.com, "Like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @TheLimited.

About The Limited
Based in Columbus, Ohio, The Limited, an affiliated portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., is well known as the store concept that began mall-based specialty retailing as we know it. Building on its 50 years of leadership in American shopping centers, The Limited is an iconic fashion retailer that offers high-quality, private-label apparel designed to help the modern woman succeed. Design-driven, fashionable styles include suiting, sweaters, dresses, denim, outerwear, and accessories—to suit her lifestyle demands, from workday to weekend. The Limited has more than 255 mall locations throughout the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.thelimited.com

About Sun Capital Partners, Inc.
Sun Capital Partners, Inc. is a leading private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in companies that can benefit from its in–house operating professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in more than 300 companies worldwide with combined sales in excess of $45 billion since Sun Capital's inception in 1995. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles, and New York, as well as affiliates with offices in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Shanghai and Shenzhen. For more information, please visit www.SunCapPart.com.

About Dress for Success San Diego
The mission of Dress for Success San Diego is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. For more information, visit www.dressforsuccess.org/sandiego

SOURCE The Limited