BENSALEM, Pa., March 3, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Charming Shoppes, Inc., (Nasdaq: CHRS), a leading retail apparel chain specializing in women's plus- size apparel, today reported that total sales for the four weeks ended February 26, 2005 increased 3% to $168,200,000 from $164,000,000 for the four weeks ended February 28, 2004. Comparable store sales for Charming Shoppes, Inc. increased 1% for the four weeks ended February 26, 2005.

Comparable store sales by chain for the four-week period ended February 26, 2005 were:

Comparable Store Sales for
                         Four Weeks Ended 2/26/05
     Lane Bryant Stores             +6%
     Fashion Bug Stores             -4%
     Catherines Stores              +2%
     Total Corporation              +1%

For more detailed information on monthly sales, please call 1-866-CHRS- NEWS (1-866-247-7639) to listen to Charming Shoppes, Inc.'s prerecorded monthly sales commentary. This recording will be available through March 7, 2005.

Charming Shoppes, Inc. operates 2,222 stores in 48 states under the names LANE BRYANT(R), FASHION BUG(R), FASHION BUG PLUS(R), and CATHERINES PLUS SIZES(R). During the four weeks ended February 26, 2005 the Company opened 3, relocated 3, and closed 2 stores. Please visit http://www.charmingshoppes.com for additional information about Charming Shoppes, Inc.

SOURCE Charming Shoppes, Inc.

Gayle M. Coolick, Director of Investor Relations, Charming Shoppes, +1-215-638-6955

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