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Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS said Tuesday it has completed its previously announced acquisition of direct-to-consumer women’s apparel retailer Boston Proper.

"We appreciate the hard work that the Chico's FAS and Boston Proper teams put forth to complete this transaction in near record time,” said David F. Dyer, president and CEO of Chico’s FAS. “I see it as indicative as to how well Boston Proper fits with the Chico's FAS family of brands."

New York City -- Stephen Carvelli, director of eCommerce at Chico’s FAS, was honored as Retail Executive of the Year at the 2011 Oracle Retail Excellence Awards. Carvelli was cited for his advocacy of cross-channel technology and knowledge of how e-commerce technology is applied in retail environments. Chico’s also was honored in the category of “Outstanding Achievement in Customer Experience.”

The awards were announced at the annual Oracle Retail CrossTalk event, held June 21-24, at Westfields Marriott, Washington, D.C.

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS said Wednesday that profit for the first quarter was $45.9 million, compared with $35.4 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales increased 11.5% to $537.2 million, from $481.6 million in last year's first quarter. Consolidated same-store sales rose 7.7%.

The operator of Chico’s, White House|Black Market and Soma Intimates said it anticipates opening 21 net new stores in the May-June 2011 time frame.

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico’s FAS announced Monday that it has named Celia Rao Visconti as senior VP of marketing.

She will report directly to Cinny Murray, brand president of Chico's, and will oversee the brand's marketing strategy and initiatives. 

Rao Visconti was previously executive VP and chief marketing officer for New York & Co.