NEW YORK, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (NYSE: JNY) today announced that Ronald ("Ron") Offir, 38, has been appointed to the newly created position of President, e-Commerce and will be responsible for maximizing the online channel across all of Jones' brands and divisions. Mr. Offir will report to Wesley R. Card, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Offir brings a great deal of e-commerce and overall industry experience to Jones, having most recently served as President of Kompo e- Commerce Solutions, a full service e-commerce firm. From 2002-2006, he served as Divisional Vice President, Coach.com where he was responsible for the e- commerce division, including strategy, merchandising, planning, marketing and front end operations.

Wesley R. Card, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Ron joins us at an opportune time as we intensify our focus on our core brands. He brings the right balance of industry knowledge and e-commerce expertise that will benefit Jones' brands and divisions, and enhance our relationships with our loyal consumer base. Shopping online is a critical marketing tool, and offers our consumers more convenient access to the Jones portfolio of brands. Ron is the ideal executive to lead our e-commerce effort, as we explore new channel partnerships to reach existing and new consumers in various markets across the globe."

Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (http://www.jny.com), a Fortune 500 company, is a leading designer, marketer and wholesaler of branded apparel, footwear and accessories. The Company also markets directly to consumers through our chain of specialty retail and value-based stores, and operates the Barneys New York chain of luxury stores. The Company's nationally recognized brands include Jones New York, Nine West, Anne Klein, Gloria Vanderbilt, Kasper, Bandolino, Easy Spirit, Evan-Picone, Norton McNaughton, Erika, l.e.i., Energie, Enzo Angiolini, Joan & David, Mootsies Tootsies, Sam & Libby, Napier, Judith Jack, Albert Nipon, Le Suit and Barneys New York. The Company also markets costume jewelry under the Givenchy brand licensed from Givenchy Corporation and footwear under the Dockers Women brand licensed from Levi Strauss & Co. Each brand is differentiated by its own distinctive styling, pricing strategy, distribution channel and target consumer. The Company contracts for the manufacture of its products through a worldwide network of quality manufacturers. The Company has capitalized on its nationally known brand names by entering into various licenses for several of its trademarks, including Jones New York, Evan-Picone, Anne Klein New York, Nine West, Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i., with select manufacturers of women's and men's products which the Company does not manufacture. For more than 30 years, the Company has built a reputation for excellence in product quality and value, and in operational execution.

SOURCE Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

CONTACT:
Stacy Lastrina,
Executive Vice President Marketing of Jones Apparel Group, Inc.,
+1-914-640-4228,
or Joele Frank and Sharon Stern of Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher,
+1-212-355-4449
Web site: http://www.jny.com