L.L.Bean Named Among Women's Wear Daily Top 100 Brands

L.L.Bean Once Again Places in Women's Wear Daily Top 100 Brands Listing

Freeport, Maine-Based Outdoor Retailer Ranks High in Outerwear and Sportswear

Freeport, Maine, August 15, 2007 -- The WWD100, a Women's Wear Daily special annual survey, has rated L.L.Bean as the 21st most recognizable apparel and accessories brand for American women. The survey also featured several categories including Sportswear and Outerwear.

“Moving from sixth to ninth, 95-year-old L.L.Bean refuses to rest on mature laurels,” said Women's Wear Daily Sportswear News Editor Whitney Beckett, describing the Sportswear category standings. “Although the roots of the $1.54 billion outdoor giant stem from catalogs and a single store in Freeport, Maine, Bean is looking to retail for growth. In the US it will open three regular-price stores this year, bringing its domestic total to 10. It is also capitalizing on the three million people who visit its Freeport flagship store each year by developing a hotel, a 100,000-square-foot lifestyle shopping center slated to open in spring 2009 and an outdoor adventure center. It's also seeking international opportunities, including growth in Japan, where it has 15 stores.”

In the Outerwear category, Bean maintained its second-place standing for the second consecutive survey, placing ahead of several competitors including Lands' End, Eddie Bauer, Columbia, Nautica and The North Face.

“We regard this survey as a credible, annual measure of how the L.L.Bean brand resonates with our female customer,” said Fran Philip, L.L.Bean Chief Merchandising Officer. “The results reflect the timeless relevance of L.L.Bean's merchandise assortment in the marketplace.”

L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading retailer of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. While its business has grown substantially, L.L.Bean still upholds the values of its founder and continues his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors.

Women's Wear Daily was established in 1892 to provide buyers, retailers and consumers with timely updates and news on the fashion industry. Each issue focuses on an aspect of the apparel and accessories markets, including ready-to-wear, market overviews, fashion trends, retailing updates and business issues.