Sears Becomes Exclusive Retailer of Parallel
New Sophisticated, Contemporary Women's Collection From BCBG Max Azria Group Reinforces Sears' Continued Focus on Fashion
Exclusive Structure Line for Men Expands to 460 Sears Stores
In an exclusive arrangement with BCBG Max Azria Group, Sears, Roebuck and Co. becomes the nation's only retailer to sell Parallel, a sophisticated collection of contemporary apparel. Parallel's new spring collection, which is now being rolled out to 150 full-line Sears stores and sears.com this spring, offers women modern, wearable, fashion forward styles. Focused, fresh, directional and chic, Parallel occupies a unique place in the contemporary fashion market and complements Sears' growing collection of on-trend, affordable apparel.
"Sears is a natural fit as our new exclusive retail partner for Parallel because together we are able to make fashion more accessible," said Max Azria, chairman and CEO of BCBG Max Azria Group and parent company of fashion brand Parallel.
Parallel provides Sears' style-savvy shoppers with key wardrobe items that are the must-haves of each season. It is designed with special attention on silhouette, fit, construction and detail, to appeal to fashion-conscious women ages 18-35. The new spring collection includes a selection of complementary items, from the best-fitting pants to novelty tops, in the season's most stylish designs, colors and fabrics. Sears will expand the availability of Parallel in time to debut its fall collection at 425 Sears stores.
"Sears has energized its apparel business and is finally earning a reputation within the fashion community and among our millions of customers as a source for affordable, on-trend fashions," said Gwen Manto, Sears executive vice president and general manager, Apparel. "Adding Parallel to our women's apparel collection only furthers our commitment to giving our shoppers more of what they want -- contemporary brands that reflect the latest trends, colors and styles at prices they can afford."
In addition to Parallel, Sears' other distinctive women's apparel lines offer shoppers of all ages the ability to express their own individuality:
-- Apostrophe: Flirty, feminine looks for the modern female -- A|Line: Sophisticated, lifestyle fashions for the woman on-the-go, produced by Jones Apparel Group with an Anne Klein point-of-view -- First Issue: Comfortable, casual apparel for work to weekend, produced by Liz Claiborne -- Covington: Casual, comfortable looks for every occasion -- Lands' End: Quality classics at their best Structure Rolls-Out to 460 Stores
This spring, Sears is expanding Structure -- its new private label collection of men's contemporary fashions -- to 460 full-line Sears stores nationwide. The line debuted in Fall 2004 with strong results in five key markets -- Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New Jersey and New York.
"When it comes to fashion, men do not differ that greatly from their female counterparts -- they also want to look great and 'in style'," said Paul Jones, Sears vice president and general merchandise manager for men's apparel. "Since its debut last fall, Structure has exceeded everyone's expectations by offering style and value. We anticipate more positive customer feedback with its expansion this spring to more than half of our full-line Sears stores nationwide."
This spring, men visiting Sears stores in major markets and on sears.com can find Structure's updated men's looks and key mix-and-match wardrobe pieces including colorful polos and woven shirts, flat front twill pants, fine Italian-made leather footwear, 100% silk ties and versatile cotton/linen blazers -- all priced to beat many mainstream designer labels.
About Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation, is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,400 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, which includes approximately 870 full-line and 1,100 specialty stores in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End -- among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 14 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at .
About BCBG Max Azria Group
Launched in 1989, BCBG Max Azria Group is a global branding corporation formed by world-renowned designer-businessman, Max Azria. The group's diversified portfolio of brands includes all divisions of fashion empire BCBG Max Azria, including women's ready-to-wear, evening dresses, bridal, outerwear, denim, eyewear, swimwear, footwear, handbags, small leather goods, watches, and fragrance. The company's additional labels include BCBG Max Azria Collection, BCBGirls, BCBG Attitude, To The Max, Parallel, Herve Leger, and Max Azria Atelier. The company designs, develops, produces and markets all the collections within the group, runs a powerful retail operation with over 160 freestanding boutiques worldwide, and has a strong presence in top specialty and department stores across the globe.
SOURCE: Sears, Roebuck and Co.
CONTACT: Media, Rochelle Mangold of Sears, +1-847-286-2081, Victoria
Christensen for Sears, +1-773-248-5024, or Patrick McGregor of BCBG Max Azria
Group, +1-212-704-4722
Web site: