NEW YORK, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (NYSE: JNY), ('Jones') today announced that Jay Friedman (56) has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Company-Owned Retail Footwear and Apparel. Mr. Friedman, who previously served as President, Company-Owned Retail Footwear and Apparel, will continue to report to Andrew Cohen, Chief Executive Officer, Footwear, Accessories and Retail.

Wesley R. Card, Jones Apparel Group President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, 'Jay is a talented merchant, effective leader and a seasoned retail executive with over 30 years of experience. Jay is a key member of our senior management team, and I am pleased with all that he and his team have accomplished to date to begin the turnaround of our retail operations.'

Mr. Cohen said, 'Under Jay's leadership, the team has implemented a number of initiatives to improve the performance of the retail chain, including enhancing merchandise assortments throughout our stores and remodeling and refreshing our store environments to enhance the consumer's overall shopping experience. I congratulate him on this well-deserved promotion.'

About Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (http://www.jonesapparel.com) is a leading designer, marketer and wholesaler of branded apparel, footwear and accessories. The Company also markets directly to consumers through its chain of specialty retail and value-based stores. The Company's nationally recognized brands include Jones New York, Nine West, Anne Klein, Gloria Vanderbilt, Kasper, Bandolino, Easy Spirit, Evan-Picone, l.e.i., Energie, Enzo Angiolini, Joan & David, Mootsies Tootsies, Sam & Libby, Napier, Judith Jack, Albert Nipon and Le Suit. The Company also markets costume jewelry under the Givenchy brand licensed from Givenchy Corporation, footwear under the Dockers Women brand licensed from Levi Strauss & Co and apparel under the Rachel Roy brand licensed from Rachel Roy IP Company, LLC. Each brand is differentiated by its own distinctive styling, pricing strategy, distribution channel and target consumer. The Company contracts for the manufacture of its products through a worldwide network of quality manufacturers. The Company has capitalized on its nationally known brand names by entering into various licenses for several of its trademarks, including Jones New York, Evan-Picone, Anne Klein New York, Nine West, Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i., with select manufacturers of women's and men's products which the Company does not manufacture. For more than 30 years, the Company has built a reputation for excellence in product quality and value, and in operational execution.

SOURCE Jones Apparel Group, Inc.