NEW YORK, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ann Taylor Stores Corporation (NYSE: ANN) today announced the appointment of Catherine Fisher to the new position of Vice President of Corporate Communications. Ms. Fisher, a seasoned strategic communications executive, will be responsible for corporate media relations, internal corporate communications, and the Company's philanthropic initiatives. She will report directly to Kay Krill, President and CEO of Ann Taylor Stores Corporation.

Commenting on the announcement, Kay Krill stated, "We have a strong leadership team, and I am delighted to have Catherine on board. Her deep understanding of the marketplace will be invaluable in communicating the exciting transformation that is taking place at our Company right now."

Ms. Fisher added, "I am thrilled to be joining Ann Taylor at such an exciting time. I look forward to working with Kay and her talented, focused, and energized leadership team."

Before joining Ann Taylor Stores Corporation, Ms. Fisher served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at Revlon. Prior to that, she led Global Communications at Tommy Hilfiger. Earlier in her career, Fisher held senior leadership roles in marketing and public relations in the luxury market, notably at Joseph Abboud Company, GFT (USA) Corp. and Calvin Klein Menswear.

About Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor Stores Corporation is one of the leading women's specialty retailers for fashionable clothing in the United States, operating 933 Ann Taylor, LOFT, Ann Taylor Factory, and LOFT Outlet stores in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as of August 1, 2009, as well as online at AnnTaylor.com and LOFTonline.com. Visit AnnTaylorStoresCorp.com for more information (NYSE: ANN).

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements may use the words "expect", "anticipate", "plan", "intend", "project", "may", "believe" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements also include representations of the expectations or beliefs of the Company concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including:

    --  the Company's ability to predict accurately client fashion preferences;
    --  competitive influences and decline in the demand for merchandise offered
        by the Company;
    --  the Company's ability to successfully execute brand extensions and new
        concepts;
    --  effectiveness of the Company's brand awareness and marketing programs,
        and its ability to maintain the value of its brands;
    --  the Company's ability to secure and protect trademarks and other
        intellectual property rights in the United States and/or foreign
        countries;
    --  general economic conditions, including the impact of higher fuel and
        energy prices, interest rates, a downturn in the retail industry or
        changes in levels of store traffic;
    --  fluctuation in the value of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies
        or restrictions on the transfer of funds;
    --  fluctuation in the Company's level of sales and earnings growth;
    --  the Company's ability to locate new store sites or negotiate favorable
        lease terms for additional stores or for the lease renewal or expansion
        of existing stores;
    --  risks associated with the performance and operations of the Company's
        Internet operations;
    --  a significant change in the regulatory environment applicable to the
        Company's business;
    --  risks associated with the possible inability of the Company,
        particularly through its sourcing and logistics functions, to operate
        within production and delivery constraints and the Company's dependence
        on a single distribution facility;
    --  the uncertainties of sourcing associated with the current quota
        environment, including changes in sourcing patterns resulting from the
        elimination of quota on apparel products and the re-imposition of quotas
        in certain categories, and other possible trade law or import
        restrictions;
    --  risks associated with the Company's reliance on foreign sources of
        production, including financial or political instability in any of the
        countries in which the Company's goods are manufactured;
    --  risks associated with a failure by independent manufacturers to comply
        with the Company's  quality, product safety and social practices
        requirements;
    --  the potential impact of natural disasters and public health concerns,
        particularly on the Company's foreign sourcing offices and manufacturing
        operations of the Company's vendors;
    --  acts of war or terrorism in the United States or worldwide;
    --  work stoppages, slowdowns or strikes;
    --  the Company's ability to hire, retain and train key personnel;
    --  the Company's ability to successfully upgrade and maintain its
        information systems, including adequate system security controls;
    --  the Company's ability to continue operations in accordance with its
        business continuity plan in the event of an interruption;
    --  the Company's ability to achieve the results of its restructuring
        program, including the risk that the benefits expected from the
        restructuring program will not be achieved or may take longer to achieve
        than expected; and

    --  changes in management's assumptions and projections concerning costs and
        timing in execution of the restructuring program.

Further description of these risks and uncertainties and other important factors are set forth in the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, including but not limited to Item 1A - Risk Factors and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations therein, and in the Company's other filings with the SEC. Although these forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations concerning future events, actual results may differ materially from current expectations or historical results. The Company does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements at any time for any reason.

SOURCE Ann Taylor Stores Corporation