Express to Expand Outlet Stores

For Columbus, Ohio-based fashion retailer Express, a continued expansion of outlet stores is a central part of its strategy, executives told analysts this week during a conference call on 2014 earnings. In the year just ended, Express had 600 stores, down from 632 stores from the year before. While about 19 of those stores closed, others were converted into outlet locations. Express has about 41 outlet locations now and ultimately plans to have as many as 150 of the lower-priced stores in the next few years.