Ann Inc. (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 four divisions: Ann Taylor, LOFT, Ann Taylor
Factory and LOFT Outlet.
Richard Liebeskind, the
founder of Ann Taylor, opened his first store in 1954. The first Ann Taylor
store (Store 0001) was opened two years later 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
by the father to his son, Richard Liebeskind, for good luck. 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 supposedly
created the ideal identity of classic women's apparel.
As of the end of fiscal 2008,
Ann Taylor had 935 stores consisting of 320 Ann Taylor stores, 510 LOFT stores,
91 Ann Taylor Factory stores, and 14 LOFT Outlet stores. Total revenue was $2.4
billion, of which $1.09 billion came from the company's Ann Taylor Loft
division, $689 million from Ann Taylor, and $417 million from Ann Taylor
Factory Store.
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| reference: GOOGLE's image....Demi Moore Walks in a Winter Wonderland for Ann Taylor Holiday |
