The apparel conglomerate has been suffering for a while, and its most recent quarter didn’t sign in much circulate out of the doldrums: Net sales fell to $1. 69 billion from $1. 72 billion in the year ago period, as total brand comps rose 2%. While its top rate brands Ann Taylor and Loft are faring better, with each registering comp increases of 10%, its value brands are failing to improve much. Maurices most up-to-date quarterly comps rose 1% as Dressbarn fell 1%.
Its plus unit, where Lane Bryant comps tumbled 8% and Catherines fell 4%, faces transforming into competitors from mainstream apparel brands boosting their size offerings. The manufacturer is faltering partially due to challenges in apparel sales more widely, too. But it runs too many stores, and even perhaps too many banners, some analysts say. It does not help that some of its labels have missed with their style revamps, which has extra undermined its turnaround. Even comp sales at its usually top notch Justice kids unit nudged ahead just 2% in the latest quarter.
Ascena has also been hampered by debt it took on to acquire Ann Inc. , though those premium labels have mostly served its effects well, Ray Hartjen, director of content material advertising and marketing and public relations at RetailNext, told Retail Dive last year.
