Jones Apparel Group

   A Fortune 500 company that is a brand conglomerate, Jones's present chairman and director, Sidney Kim-mel, began the group more than thirty years ago. Jones Apparel Group is a designer, marketer, and wholesaler of branded accessories and apparel. Jones has its own chain of specialty retail establishments and, in 2004, entered into a merger agreement with luxury retailer Barneys. National brands include Albert Nipon, Anne Klein, Bandolino, Easy Spirit, Energie, Enzo Angiolini, Erika, Evan-Picone, l.e.i., Gloria Vanderbilt, Joan & David, Jones New York, Judith Jack, Kasper, Le Suit, Mootsies Tootsies, Napier, Nine West, Norton McNaughton, and Sam & Libby. Jones also markets apparel under the Polo Jeans Company brand, licensed from Polo Ralph Lauren, and Givenchy from the Givenchy Corporation.

   Jones entered the footwear business in 1999 with the purchase of Nine West. In 2005, Jones succeeded in a $346-million takeover of Maxwell Shoe. A major competitive player in the department store arena, Jones is making inroads to the moderate market as well. In 2006, it launched Jeanstar brand denim, targeted at a moderate price point. This will provide the Jones Apparel Group with depth and balance across all markets. Jones had affiliations in more than sixty foreign countries as of 2006.

   See also Chain store.