BENSALEM, Pa., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Charming Shoppes, Inc., (Nasdaq: CHRS), the retail apparel chain, today reported that total sales for the five weeks ended January 1, 2000 increased nineteen percent to $169,900,000 from $142,500,000 for the comparable period ended January 2, 1999. Total sales include sales from the Modern Woman chain, which was acquired by Charming Shoppes on August 2, 1999. Sales for comparable stores increased nine percent for the five weeks ended January 1, 2000.

Quarter-to-date, sales for the nine weeks ended January 1, 2000 increased twenty-one percent to $274,800,000 from $226,300,000 for the comparable period ended January 2, 1999. Sales for comparable stores increased eleven percent for the nine weeks ended January 1, 2000. Total sales include sales from the Modern Woman chain.

Sales for the eleven months ended January 1, 2000 increased fourteen percent to $1,122,900,000 from $989,100,000 for the comparable period last year. Sales for comparable stores increased eight percent year-to-date. Since August, total sales include sales from the Modern Woman chain.

Charming Shoppes today also announced the following management appointments:
-- Elizabeth Williams has been appointed to the position of President of

Merchandising and Planning for Fashion Bug. Ms. Williams joined

Charming Shoppes in October 1995 as Executive Vice President of

Merchandising. -- Jeffery A. Warzel has joined Charming Shoppes in the newly created

        position of Sr. Vice President of Infrastructure Operations and
        Strategic Planning, with responsibility for MIS, strategic planning,
        and the development and implementation of the Company's Internet
        initiative.  Mr. Warzel most recently served the Western Auto Supply
        Company in the capacity of Vice President of Strategic Planning and

Store Support. -- Jonathon Graub has been promoted to the position of Sr. Vice President

        of Charming Shoppes, with responsibility for Real Estate,
        Construction, Purchasing, Facilities and Maintenance.  Mr. Graub
        joined Charming Shoppes in August 1981, and has served as Vice
        President of Real Estate since 1989.

Charming Shoppes, Inc., operates 1,331 stores in 47 states under the names "Fashion Bug", "Fashion Bug Plus", and "Modern Woman." During the eleven months ended January 1, 2000, the Company opened 75 stores, acquired 136 stores, relocated 17 stores, and closed 15 stores.

On November 15, 1999, the Company announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Catherines Stores Corporation (Nasdaq: CATH). Pursuant to the agreement, a subsidiary of Charming Shoppes has made a cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of common stock of Catherines Stores Corporation at $21.00 per share. The tender offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on today, Thursday, January 6, 2000, unless the offer is extended.

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company's operations, performance, and financial condition including, in particular, forward-looking statements regarding sales performance, store openings and closings, and other matters. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Such risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to, failure to realize merger-related synergies, rapid changes in or miscalculation of fashion trends, extreme or unseasonable weather conditions, economic downturns, a weakness in overall consumer demand, disruption operations as a result of Year 2000 compliance issues, and competitive pressures. These, and other risks and uncertainties, are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 1999.
SOURCE Charming Shoppes, Inc.
CONTACT: Gayle M. Coolick, Director of Investor Relations of Charming Shoppes, 215-638-6955