USA: AnnTaylor To Open Website And Stores By End Of Year

AnnTaylor, the women's apparel retailer, plans to launch its e-commerce site, introduce cosmetics in select stores, and open roughly 80 stores by the end of the year. Speaking at the Robertson Stephens conference in New York City, chairman and chief executive J. Patrick Spainhour said Ann Taylor would launch its website within two to three weeks in time for the holiday season. AnnTaylor.com will carry around 50 per cent of what's offered in its stores and will also debut new products before they are rolled out to bricks and mortar stores. JC Penney Logistics will provide fulfillment for the site. The retailer's Loft division is expected to launch its site later in the year. Spainhour also said that the retailer would begin testing colour cosmetics in select stores today (October 16). The new feature is expected to roll out to 300 stores by next spring. In addition, AnnTaylor will increase its offerings of petite sizes with separate signage. As for new store openings, the company says it will have added 20 stores by the end of the year while its Loft unit would increase its store base by 62 locations. Loft expects to add 70 additional stores in 2001. The retailer recently opened its third flagship store in Chicago and Spainhour said that Ann Taylor hopes to have 15 flagships in the future.