ANAHEIM, Calif., Feb. 16, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Christine Lee has been named Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager of Juniors' Merchandising and Design for Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. (Nasdaq:PSUN). In her new role, Ms. Lee will lead all aspects of buying, design and merchandising for the juniors' apparel and accessories offered in the company's nearly 900 PacSun stores and through pacsun.com.
"Christine's expertise in fusing customer insight, fashion trends and brands will enable us to create excitement in our stores and a stronger connection to our female customers," said Gary Schoenfeld, president and chief executive officer. "With her previous successes in growing both apparel and accessories, Christine will be instrumental as we re-establish PacSun as a favorite destination for fashion, brands and California-inspired product."
Prior to Pacific Sunwear, Ms. Lee spent nearly 20 years with specialty retail company Urban Outfitters working her way from Sales Associate to General Merchandise Manager of Women's Apparel and Accessories, as well as Urban Renewal and Design. In this role she drove merchandise trends, new concepts and key item decisions for a $300 million business.
A native of Michigan, Ms. Lee studied psychology, receiving a bachelor of arts from the University of Michigan.
About Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc.
Pacific Sunwear is a leading lifestyle specialty retailer rooted in the youth culture of California. The Company sells casual apparel with a limited selection of accessories and footwear designed to meet the needs of teens and young adults. As of January 2, 2010, the Company operated 897 stores in 50 states and Puerto Rico. PacSun's website address is www.pacsun.com.
The Pacific Sunwear of California logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2087
Pacific Sunwear Safe Harbor
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" including, without limitation, Mr. Schoenfeld's statement that Ms. Lee "will be instrumental as we re-establish PacSun as a favorite destination for fashion, brands and California-inspired product." In each case, these statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that these forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These statements are not historical facts and involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Uncertainties that could adversely affect our business and results include, among others, the following factors: higher than anticipated declines in same-store sales; additional adverse changes in economic conditions or sustained adverse economic conditions generally; additional adverse changes in consumer spending; changes in consumer demands and preferences; higher than anticipated markdowns and/or higher than estimated selling, general and administrative costs; competition from other retailers and uncertainties generally associated with apparel retailing; merchandising/fashion sensitivity; sales from private label merchandise; the impact of management and organizational changes; reliance on key personnel; economic impact of natural disasters, terrorist attacks or war/threat of war; shortages of supplies and/or contractors, as a result of natural disasters or terrorist acts, could cause unexpected delays in new store openings, relocations, renovations or expansions; reliance on foreign sources of production; and other risks outlined in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2009 and subsequent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Historical results achieved are not necessarily indicative of future prospects of the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after such statements are made. Nonetheless, the Company reserves the right to make such updates from time to time by press release, periodic report or other method of public disclosure without the need for specific reference to this press release. No such update shall be deemed to indicate that other statements not addressed by such update remain correct or create an obligation to provide any other updates.