Content about Ann Taylor

New York -- Ann Inc. said Thursday that actress Kate Hudson will continue her role as the face of Ann Taylor for its spring and summer 2013 campaigns.

However, said the retailer, this year Hudson's role will grow as both a design influence and charitable ambassador as well. For the summer collection, she will be developing a capsule collection for the brand. In addition, Hudson will join the Advisory Council for the company's ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative, a program that supports the empowerment of young women.

Toronto -- Ann Taylor announced it opened its first international store on Oct. 4, in the Toronto Eaton Centre, Toronto.

A second international store set to open this November in Toronto at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

New York -- Ann Taylor on Oct. 5 will open its first store outside of the United States, in the Toronto Eaton Centre. The company will open a second store in Canada, located in Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre, in November.

New York -- Ann Inc. reported Friday that profit for the second quarter rose 24% to $30.7 million, compared with $24.8 million in the year-ago period.

Same-store sales companywide increase 4.7%; by brand, Ann Taylor store comps increased 3.2% and Loft comps rose 4.1%.

The company raised its outlook for the full year of fiscal 2012, and also said that it is on track to open approximately 65 new stores this year, partially offset by the impact of downsizes at Ann Taylor stores and approximately 30 store closures. 
 

New York -- Ann Taylor Loft on July 24, will celebrate the grand opening of its new store at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, in Central Valley, N.Y.

DGC Capital Contracting Corp., Mount Vernon, N.Y., served as general contractor for the new Ann Taylor Loft. The contractor took down two existing stores to create the space for the new 7,500-sq.-ft. Loft store.

Toronto -- Loft, a division of Ann Inc. — formerly known as Ann Taylor — will open its first Canadian location at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto, Ontario, in late 2012.

"Canada represents a natural step as we move to expand internationally, and we are excited to open our first store outside the U.S. in such a vibrant city like Toronto," said Gary Muto, brand president.

New York -- Ann Inc., the parent company of Ann Taylor and Loft, announced the launch of AnnCares360, a program in partnership with Good360, a nonprofit leader in product philanthropy. The program will facilitate the donation of available displays, marketing items, and fixtures to local charities that support women and children.

New York City -- Ann Inc. said that the president of its Ann Taylor brand, Christine Beauchamp, is leaving to pursue other opportunities. She will be replaced by Brian Lynch, who had been president of the Ann Taylor Factory and Loft Outlet divisions and led the website sales for those brands.

The news came as the chain cut its revenue prediction for the quarter that ended in January to a level below analyst expectations, citing slumping sales at its Ann Taylor stores. 

Scarsdale, N.Y. -- Dallas-based SRS Real Estate Partners said that Athleta, a division of Gap, has signed a lease for 5,833 sq. ft. to build and operate one of its first suburban stores in New York at Vernon Hills Shopping Center in Scarsdale/Eastchester, N.Y.

A spring 2012 opening is planned.

Murray, Utah -- Fashion Place, in Murray, Utah, celebrates a grand re-opening on Nov. 11 with the opening of first-to-market stores Crate and Barrel and H&M, as well as openings of The North Face, Bastille, Ann Taylor and Loft. The new store openings kick-off the grand re-opening of the center’s redevelopment, which includes 98,000 sq. ft. of new retail offerings and an expanded entranceway to the community.

New York City -- Ann Inc., formerly known as Ann Taylor Stores Corp., reported that its second -quarter earnings rose 33% $24.8 million, helped by strong online sales and a jump in revenue at the company's Loft stores. The company raised its full-year sales guidance, saying it is confident despite the challenging consumer environment.

It was the company’s eighth consecutive quarter of double-digit earnings growth

Short Hills, N.J. -- The Mall at Short Hills, in Short Hills, N.J., announced that The Cheesecake Factory, Reed Krakoff and Swarovski will open this summer, and Ann Taylor will debut a new concept store.

Opening in July is The Cheesecake Factory, and women’s fashion retailer Reed Krakoff will open in early August, the boutique’s first in New Jersey and fourth in the world. Swarovski will open a new boutique under its Crystal Forest retail design concept, its first in New Jersey.