DressBarn
Encyclopedia
Dress Barn is an American
retailer of women's clothing. The first Dress Barn was opened in 1962 in Stamford, Connecticut
, by Roslyn Jaffe. The company began trading on NASDAQ
(symbol DBRN) in 1982. In January 2011, to move away from the direct association with the Dress Barn brand and reflect the company's broader holdings, the company was reorganized as a Delaware corporation
named Ascena Retail Group, Inc. At this time the NASDAQ symbol was also changed to ASNA.
Ascena also owns the Maurices
and Justice clothing store brands. The Dress Barn brand targets consumers such as budget-conscious career women, and the Dress Barn, Dress Barn Woman (larger sizes), and combination stores sell in-season, moderate- to better-quality women's apparel and accessories at value prices and cater to professionals in their mid-30s to mid-50s. Chairman Elliot Jaffe and his wife and co-founder, Roslyn, own about 25% of The Dress Barn.
In 2009, DressBarn expanded into the girls' clothing market by purchasing Tween Brands, the owner of the Justice chain of 891 stores. Justice, which is aimed at girls between ages 7 and 14, is the effective successor of Limited Too, originally launched in 1987 by The Limited
to serve the same market. In 1999, The Limited spun off Limited Too as a separate company. In 2004, Limited Too launched the Justice chain, aimed at a lower price point in the same market. Limited Too changed its name to Tween Brands in 2008, and the company had almost completely converted its remaining Limited Too stores to Justice stores at the time of the DressBarn acquisition.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
retailer of women's clothing. The first Dress Barn was opened in 1962 in Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
, by Roslyn Jaffe. The company began trading on NASDAQ
NASDAQ
The NASDAQ Stock Market, also known as the NASDAQ, is an American stock exchange. "NASDAQ" originally stood for "National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations". It is the second-largest stock exchange by market capitalization in the world, after the New York Stock Exchange. As of...
(symbol DBRN) in 1982. In January 2011, to move away from the direct association with the Dress Barn brand and reflect the company's broader holdings, the company was reorganized as a Delaware corporation
Delaware corporation
The Delaware General Corporation Law is the statute governing corporate law in the state of Delaware. Delaware is well known as a corporate haven. Over 50% of U.S...
named Ascena Retail Group, Inc. At this time the NASDAQ symbol was also changed to ASNA.
Ascena also owns the Maurices
Maurices
Maurices, typeset as maurices, is an American clothing retail chain based in Duluth, Minnesota. Founded in 1931, the chain comprises more than 750 stores in 44 states, primarily located in shopping malls and smaller towns...
and Justice clothing store brands. The Dress Barn brand targets consumers such as budget-conscious career women, and the Dress Barn, Dress Barn Woman (larger sizes), and combination stores sell in-season, moderate- to better-quality women's apparel and accessories at value prices and cater to professionals in their mid-30s to mid-50s. Chairman Elliot Jaffe and his wife and co-founder, Roslyn, own about 25% of The Dress Barn.
In 2009, DressBarn expanded into the girls' clothing market by purchasing Tween Brands, the owner of the Justice chain of 891 stores. Justice, which is aimed at girls between ages 7 and 14, is the effective successor of Limited Too, originally launched in 1987 by The Limited
Limited Brands
Limited Brands is an American apparel company based in Columbus, Ohio. In 2009 it reported 9.04 billion dollars in revenue for the last fiscal year.-History:...
to serve the same market. In 1999, The Limited spun off Limited Too as a separate company. In 2004, Limited Too launched the Justice chain, aimed at a lower price point in the same market. Limited Too changed its name to Tween Brands in 2008, and the company had almost completely converted its remaining Limited Too stores to Justice stores at the time of the DressBarn acquisition.