Mannequin in the Window of an Ann Taylor Store in Midtown, Sept. 2006

Ann Taylor (NYSE: ANN) is an American group of specialty apparel retail chain stores for women, headquartered in New York City. The stores offer classic styled suits, separates, dresses, shoes and accessories. The brand is marketed under three divisions, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, and Ann Taylor Factory. The first Ann Taylor store was opened in 1954 in New Haven, Connecticut.

Companywide, as of January 28, 2006, Ann Taylor has 824 stores consisting of 357 Ann Taylor stores, 416 Ann Taylor LOFT stores, and 51 Ann Taylor Factory stores.

Ann Taylor is a chain of clothing stores for women, offering "the essence of modern classic style, with fashion that is versatile, polished, refined; from work to weekend, day to evening." Ann Taylor stores compete in the "better" category, with clothing targeted at more affluent career women. Ann Taylor was founded in 1954.

Ann Taylor LOFT, an extension of the original Ann Taylor brand, offers more relaxed fashions for work and home, in the "upper moderate" priced category, offering style and value to customers.

Ann Taylor Factory offers clearance merchandise from Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor LOFT at significantly reduced prices, as well as Ann Taylor Factory merchandise. A special wear now collection was created for sale exclusively at Ann Taylor Factory stores.

Ann Taylor has four flagship locations.

The three Ann Taylor flagship stores are located at

645 Madison Avenue in New York City
399 Post Street in San Francisco, California
700 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.

The Company also has an Ann Taylor Loft flagship store at 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue in New York City.

Text from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Taylor_(retail_chain)