Talbots is a leading specialty retailer and direct marketer of women’s classic clothing, shoes and accessories. Established in 1947, the company is known for legacy items like the perfect blazer, trustworthy trench, versatile white shirt, ballet flats and pearls, as well as its fine workmanship, gracious service and welcoming red doors. With a nod to tradition infused with modern flair, Talbots offers an array of timeless wardrobe options to flatter women of all shapes and sizes.

In 1947, Rudolf and Nancy Talbot opened their first shop in Hingham, Mass., a quaint town not far from Boston. Talbots quickly became known as the store with the red door and a go-to source for timeless style, great color, impeccable tailoring and friendly service. In 1948, Rudy and Nancy launched their direct mail business by distributing 3,000 black-and-white fliers to names obtained from The New Yorker magazine. Their retail and catalog enterprise flourished and, with five stores in upscale outskirts like Hingham, Duxbury and Lenox, they sold the company to General Mills in 1973. Expansion ensued up and down the East Coast, but when General Mills divested its Specialty Retail Division in 1988, Talbots was acquired by JUSCO Co., Ltd. (now ÆON Co., Ltd.). Talbots went public in 1993 and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TLB. ÆON remains a majority shareholder. The company expanded significantly during the 1990’s and launched its successful e-commerce site in 1999. In 2006, the company acquired J. Jill, a wholly-owned subsidiary.

At the end of fiscal 2008, the company operated stores in 870 locations in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, with 587 locations under the Talbots brand name and 283 locations under the J. Jill brand name. The company's retail operation comprises approximately 85% of its overall business, with direct marketing sharing the balance. Online sales currently represent more than half of the direct business. Though distinct in design aesthetic, both brands target the 35+ customer population.

Customers are well-educated, active in their communities, and socially and culturally aware. They are typically over 35 years old though ageless in style and attitude. Approximately 70% have a college education and the majority is professionally employed.

The company’s core businesses include its signature Talbots (Misses) line, as well as Talbots Petites (designed for the proportions of women 5’4” and under), Talbots Woman and Woman’s Petites (scaled to flatter fuller figures) and Talbots Accessories & Shoes. View all lines/styles at www.talbots.com.

An Upscale Outlet division will be unveiled in spring 2009.

Operated separately with headquarters in Quincy, Mass., and distribution and call center in Tilton, N.H., J. Jill offers sophisticated casual wear with every day ease. See all styles at www.jjill.com.

The Company currently employs approximately 15,600 associates of which 12,100 are Talbots associates and 3,500 are J. Jill associates.

Flanked by bright red doors, Talbots stores convey a warm residential feel that complements the brand’s timeless, charming appeal. Store locations vary in size but occupy about 4,000 square feet on average. The stores are suited to a range of retail settings that includes small towns, major cities, lifestyle centers, regional malls and upscale shopping centers. Flagship stores showcasing more forward styles and a deeper penetration of refined suitings are located in New York, Boston, San Francisco and Toronto.

The company distributed 25 Talbots brand catalogs in 2008 reaching a worldwide circulation of nearly 55 million.

Shopping from U.S. & Canada	800-TALBOTS (800-825-2687)
Shopping from U.K.	0800-963-418
Shopping from the Bahamas	800-993-9010
All other international orders	781-741-4028
Hearing Impaired (TTD)	800-624-9179
Customer Service	800-992-9010
Talbots Charge Account Inquiries	800-225-8204

With an established fulfillment and distribution system in place, Talbots entered the world of e-commerce in 1999. Its website offers a number of services with a personal touch, such as MyTalbots, which allows customers to register for benefits and customize their online shopping experience, and Style Search, which enables them to locate and reserve merchandise in any Talbots store. Open 24/7 every day, the website features all styles, colors and sizes currently available.

Online Shopping       www.talbots.com

Corporate Headquarters. Rudolf and Nancy Talbot ran the business from the upper level of the original Talbots store, a 17th century Colonial-style home in Hingham, until 1970 when they moved into an expansive building about a mile away. Reconfigured and expanded through the years, this 313,000 square foot building remains the company’s corporate headquarters today.

New York Creative Design Studio. Supporting its design led focus, the company has a 55,695 square foot Creative Design Studio in Manhattan that serves as the center for creative direction, image design and product design for the brand, as well as product management, technical design, marketing and public relations.

Distribution Center. Measuring over 930,000 square feet, the company’s catalog fulfillment and retail distribution center is located in Lakeville, Mass.

Call Center. Talbots operates a 37,655 square foot catalog sales and customer service center in Knoxville, Tenn.

Information Systems Center. Talbots operates a 51,735 square foot office in Tampa, Fla., which oversees the organization’s IS, technical support and data processing needs.

Sourcing Offices. Talbots operates international sourcing offices in Hong Kong (opened in 1989) and India (added in 2006).

Trudy Sullivan	President and Chief Executive Officer
Mike Scarpa	Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Michael Smaldone	Chief Creative Officer
John Fiske	Executive Vice President, Chief Stores Officer
Greg Poole	Executive Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer
Lori Wagner	Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer
Benedetta Casamento	Executive Vice President, Finance
Dick O’Connell	Executive Vice President, Legal & Real Estate, Store Planning & Design and Construction

Julie Lorigan        Senior Vice President, Investor & Media Relations
781-741-7775      julie.lorigan@talbots.com