Ascena Retail Group previously the fifth most powerful women’s clothing company just acquired Ann Taylor‘s eponymous and Loft brands priced at $2 billion making it jump to the No. 1 spot. It already owns brands like Maurices, Dressbarn, Lane Bryant and Catherines. The total number of stores operated under its name stand at 5000. According to a survey, there are more women buying size 16 clothing than size 0, 2 and 4 combined which is good news for Ascena as it dominates the plus size market segment. Read full article here