Ann Taylor (retail chain)

Ann Taylor (nyse|ANN) is an American group of specialty apparel retail chain stores for women, headquartered in New York City, (7 Times Square Tower, New York, NY 10036). The stores offer classic styled suits, separates, dresses, shoes and accessories. The brand is marketed under three divisions, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor LOFT, and Ann Taylor Factory.

The first Ann Taylor store (Store 0001) was opened in 1945 in New Haven, Connecticut. "Ann Taylor" was the name of a best-selling dress at the founder's father's store. Both the best-selling dress and the name "Ann Taylor" were given from the father to his son, Richard Liebeskind [ http://www.anntaylorcareers.com/all_about_our_name.html ] , for good luck. [ [http://nyjobsource.com/anntaylor.html Ann Taylor Profile - NYJobSource.com ] ] Liebeskind decided to go with the name Ann Taylor because "Ann" was considered a very New England name, and "Taylor" evoked the image of tailored clothing. The name created the ideal identity of classic woman's apparel.

Companywide, as of February 3, 2007, Ann Taylor has 869 stores consisting of: 348 Ann Taylor stores, 464 Ann Taylor LOFT stores, and 57 Ann Taylor Factory stores.

Divisions

Ann Taylor, is a chain of clothing stores for women, offering "the essence of modern classic style, with fashion that is versatile, polished, refined; from work to weekend, day to evening." Ann Taylor stores compete in the "better" category, with clothing targeted at more affluent career women. Ann Taylor was founded in 1954.

Ann Taylor LOFT, established in 1996 as an extension of the original Ann Taylor brand, offers more relaxed fashions for work and home, in the "upper moderate" priced category, offering style and value to customers. Although the selection is different from Ann Taylor stores, the design styles of clothes at the Loft stores are similar and the prices lower.

Ann Taylor Factory, offers clearance merchandise from Ann Taylor at significantly reduced prices, as well as unique Ann Taylor Factory merchandise. The company is now moving away from Ann Taylor Factory clearance stores and are changing their stores to carry exclusive Ann Taylor Factory merchandise.

Ann Taylor LOFT Outlet, slated for Summer 2008 rollout. Plans detail a LOFT-based Outlet environment, similar to the current Ann Taylor Factory stores, with reduced priced LOFT merchandise and unique LOFT Outlet merchandise.

pecial Collections

Ann Taylor Celebrations, was launched in August 2005, it is a signature collection featuring dresses, wraps, sashes, shoes, and bags designed for life's finest moments and special occasions. Each piece in the Collection is dyed to match, head to toe. The Collection can be worn for occasions from wedding parties to black tie and special events.

Ann Taylor Collections, was launched 2007 and consists of luxury apparel, accessories, and shoes crafted using on the finest Italian made fabrics and yarns. The craftsmanship is of an elevated value and the price point is higher than other pieces.

Ann Taylor Beauty, consisting of fragrance and bath and body products, that will be available in all Ann Taylor stores beginning late 2007 or early 2008. The Possibilities fragrance was released in November 2007. The body care line consists of body mist, lotion, and body wash, and comes in 6 scents. The scents are Sugar Vanilla Orchid Bloom, Almond Vanilla Warm Fig, Peach Honey Sheer Musk, Orange Nectar Honeysuckle, Silver Tea citrus Flower, and Creamy Blackberry Sandal Wood.

Ann Taylor LOFT Maternity was released in Summer 2007 under the motto "Because you have a lot to expect." The LOFT Maternity Line is available in select stores and online. In Fall 2007 the Maternity Line expanded its size range to include all Ann Taylor LOFT sizes rather than select mid-range sizes.

Flagship stores

Ann Taylor has three flagship locations: The three Ann Taylor flagship stores are located:
*Store 0362 - 645 Madison Avenue in New York City
*Store 0547 - 600 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois on the Magnificent Mile

The Company also has an Ann Taylor LOFT flagship store:
*Store 1614 - 1459 Broadway at Times Square in New York City

References

External links

* [http://www.anntaylor.com Ann Taylor Official website]
* [http://www.anntaylorloft.com Ann Taylor LOFT Official website]
* [http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/department.jsp?N=1200042&categoryId=193 Ann Taylor Celebrations Official website]