For our Lane Bryant and Catherines Plus Sizes stores, we operate a distribution center in White Marsh, Maryland. Located on 29 acres of land, the White Marsh facility contains a building of approximately 393,000 square feet that is currently designed to service up to approximately 1,400 stores. Charming Shoppes purchased the White Marsh facility in September 2002.
Most of our merchandise purchases are received at our distribution facilities, where they are prepared for distribution to our more than 2,200 stores. Automated sorting systems in the distribution centers enhance the flow of merchandise from receipt to quality control inspection, receiving, ticketing, packing and final shipment. Merchandise is shipped to each store principally by common carriers. We use computerized automated distribution profiles to combine shipments when possible and improve the efficiency of the distribution operations. These profiles provide information not only about the quantity of merchandise to be distributed to each store, but also about the type of merchandise to be shipped, and enable the distribution operations to include various profiles in each store’s plan.
