Romano Named President/CEO at Charming Shoppes

Anthony M. Romano has been named president/CEO of multititle cataloger Charming Shoppes, the company announced today.

Romano had been promoted to chief operating officer/acting CEO of Charming Shoppes in October, when president/CEO James Fogarty stepped down after an 18-month job at restructuring the company. Prior to that, Romano was Charming Shoppes’ executive vice president of global sourcing and business transformation.

Before he joined Charming Shoppes, Romano served as executive vice president/chief supply chain officer for Ann Taylor.

Charming Shoppes also appointed Brian Woolf group president – Lane Bryant, with responsibility for the Lane Bryant, Lane Bryant Outlet and Cacique intimate apparel brands. Woolf has been president of the Lane Bryant and Cacique brands since July 2008, and was chairman/CEO of Cache for eight years.

In other news, Charming Shoppes announced its fiscal 2010 results. Net sales for the year ending Jan. 29 were down just 0.1%. The company did have a strong fourth quarter, with net sales up 7%.

Ecommerce sales for the fiscal year increased 38% to $131.4 million, compared to $95.1 million in the year-ago period.

The company’s Figi’s food and gifts division saw a 7% increase in fourth-quarter net sales and a 9% net sales increase for the 12 months. Charming Shoppes attributed the results to increased catalog circulation.