The Jones Group Inc. (ticker: JNY, exchange: New York Stock Exchange (.N))
News Release -
2-Apr-2009
Anne Klein Announces the Launch of e-Commerce Shopping on anneklein.com New Website Offers the Largest Selection of Anne Klein Apparel, Footwear
and Accessories Online
NEW YORK, April 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Anne Klein, a leading brand of
lifestyle women's clothing, footwear and accessories, today announced the
launch of a dedicated e-commerce site where shoppers can access the full range
of the brand's collection: www.anneklein.com. Anne Klein is a division of
Jones Apparel Group (NYSE: JNY).
The new www.anneklein.com features the largest selection of apparel and
accessories, across all of the Anne Klein lines including Anne Klein New York
clothing and AK Anne Klein clothing, footwear, handbags, jewelry and watches.
In addition to online shopping, www.anneklein.com also celebrates the
history of the brand with a legacy section featuring the story of founder Anne
Klein and the succession of talented designers who have helped to shape the
brand into what it is today. Visitors to the site can also sign up to receive
email updates from Anne Klein about seasonal trends and new products.
"Anne Klein is one of the foremost brands in women's fashion apparel, and
we are happy to make this collection even more accessible to the Anne Klein
consumer, who will no doubt enjoy shopping at our new, online flagship store.
The breadth of the assortment available coupled with the ease of navigation
will provide our customers with the tools and information needed to dress for
their lifestyle," said Ron Offir, President of Jones Apparel Group E-Commerce.
Stacy Lastrina, Jones' Executive Vice President of Marketing and Creative
Services, said, "For over 40 years, Anne Klein has been synonymous with
fashion and we are thrilled to launch a website that literally brings fashion
right to our customers' fingertips. From the sophisticated designs of Anne
Klein New York to the modern designer-inspired fashion of AK Anne Klein, there
is something for every stylish woman out there."
To celebrate the new launch, www.anneklein.com is offering a chance to win
a $1,000 shopping spree on the site.
About Jones Apparel Group, Inc.
Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (www.jonesapparel.com) is a leading designer,
marketer and wholesaler of branded apparel, footwear and accessories. The
Company also markets directly to consumers through its chain of specialty
retail and value-based stores. The Company's nationally recognized brands
include Jones New York, Nine West, Anne Klein, Gloria Vanderbilt, Kasper,
Bandolino, Easy Spirit, Evan-Picone, l.e.i., Energie, Enzo Angiolini, Joan &
David, Mootsies Tootsies, Sam & Libby, Napier, Judith Jack, Albert Nipon and
Le Suit. The Company also markets costume jewelry under the Givenchy brand
licensed from Givenchy Corporation, footwear under the Dockers Women brand
licensed from Levi Strauss & Co., and apparel under the Rachel Roy brand
licensed from Rachel Roy IP Company, LLC. 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, Anne Klein New York, Nine West,
Gloria Vanderbilt, l.e.i. and Evan-Picone, 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.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
All statements regarding the Company's expected financial position, business
and financing plans are forward-looking statements. The words "believes,"
"expect," "plans," "intends," "anticipates" and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also include
representations of the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future
events that involve risks and uncertainties, including:
-- those associated with the effect of national, regional and
international economic conditions;
-- lowered levels of consumer spending resulting from a general economic
downturn or lower levels of consumer confidence;
-- the tightening of the credit markets and our ability to obtain credit
on satisfactory terms;
-- given the uncertain economic environment, the possible unwillingness
of committed lenders to meet their obligations to lend to borrowers,
in general;
-- the performance of the Company's products within the prevailing retail
environment;
-- customer acceptance of both new designs and newly-introduced product
lines;
-- the Company's reliance on a few department store groups for large
portions of the Company's business;
-- consolidation of the Company's retail customers;
-- financial difficulties encountered by customers;
-- the effects of vigorous competition in the markets in which the
Company operates;
-- the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified executives and
other key personnel;
-- the Company's reliance on independent foreign manufacturers;
-- changes in the costs of raw materials, labor, advertising and
transportation;
-- the general inability to obtain higher wholesale prices for the
Company's products that the Company has experienced for many years;
-- the uncertainties of sourcing associated with an environment in which
general quota has expired on apparel products but litigation and
political activity seeking to re-impose quotas have been initiated;
-- the Company's ability to successfully implement new operational and
financial computer systems; and
-- the Company's ability to secure and protect trademarks and other
intellectual property rights.
A further description of these risks and uncertainties and other important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the
Company's expectations can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, including, but not limited to, the
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure and Item 1A-Risk Factors
therein, and in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in
such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations may prove to
be incorrect. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its
forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
SOURCE Jones Apparel Group, Inc.
CONTACT: Investor, John T. McClain, Chief Financial Officer of Jones
Apparel Group, +1-212-642-3860; or Media, Joele Frank and Sharon Stern, both
of Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher for Apparel Group, +1-212-355-4449
Web Site: http://www.anneklein.com
(JNY)
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