Patti Simigran has been promoted to Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager from Senior Vice President e-Commerce & Direct Merchandising. Ms. Simigran will assume merchandising responsibilities for Body Central Stores in addition to her lead role over the e-Commerce and Direct Merchandising functions.

Ms. Simigran has been instrumental in updating the Company's website, developing new customer communication initiatives and expanding the merchandising assortment of the e-Commerce business.

Prior to joining Body Central, Ms. Simigran held several senior-level merchandising positions including Chief Merchandising Officer of Maurice's and Chief Merchandising Officer of Tabi International, along with additional key merchandising roles at David's Bridal, Sears Holdings and Land's End.

The Company has also appointed Scott Graner as Vice President and Merchandise Manager. Mr. Graner comes to Body Central with over 25 years of retail experience and will oversee jewelry, accessories, shoes, outerwear, intimate apparel and activewear. Mr. Graner brings a strong blend of both specialty and department store experience that includes The Limited, Victoria's Secret and Macy's. Mr. Graner will report directly to Ms. Simigran.

In addition to Ms. Simigran's promotion and the addition of Mr. Graner, the merchandising team has been further realigned to better support sales improvement, particularly in key product categories such as tops and dresses. Several veteran merchandising associates with track records of strong sales growth in select categories will assume expanded product category responsibilities.

Separately, the Company announced that Andrea Jackson has left her position of Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager effective January 6, 2014.

Brian Woolf, Body Central's CEO, stated: "The merchandising team changes announced today are designed to refocus our efforts on underperforming categories through both the addition of new talent and the reallocation of proven internal talent. These changes will be critical to improving our store merchandising assortments."

About Body Central

Founded in 1972, Body Central Corp. is a growing, multi-channel, specialty retailer offering on trend, quality apparel and accessories at value prices. As of December 28, 2013 the Company operated 294 specialty apparel stores in 28 states under the Body Central and Body Shop banners, as well as a direct business comprised of a Body Central catalog and an e-commerce website.

Body Central Corp