Worldwide Sourcing
To meet the demands of our customers, Charming Shoppes accesses both the domestic and the overseas wholesale apparel markets for our merchandise purchases. This allows us to maintain flexible lead times, respond quickly to current fashion trends and quickly replenish merchandise inventory as necessary.

Our Sourcing division in Hong Kong manages the procurement of merchandise for our retail chains and contributes to the corporation as a profit center. Approximately 40% of Charming Shoppes' retail stores product is currently obtained through our Sourcing organization. During Fiscal 2008, we purchased merchandise from approximately 690 suppliers and factories located throughout the world. We use our overseas sourcing operations primarily to purchase fashion-basic merchandise that generally requires longer lead times.