Mahwah Bergen Retail (ASNA) 10-Q 1 Dec 15 2016 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Nov. 27, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 24, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	asna
Entity Registrant Name	Ascena Retail Group, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,498,301
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--07-30
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		195,964,036

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 24, 2015	Jul. 25, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 322.9	$ 240.6
Inventories	889.2	489.3
Deferred tax assets	68.2	88.5
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	253.8	131.5
Total current assets	1,534.1	949.9
Property and equipment, net	1,619.3	1,170
Goodwill	1,272.9	319.7
Other intangible assets, net	1,297.1	388.3
Other assets	82.1	78.3
Total assets	5,805.5	2,906.2
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	417.4	238.8
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	476.3	403.2
Deferred income	104.7	64.1
Income taxes payable	7.7	11.6
Current portion of long-term debt	13.5	0
Total current liabilities	1,019.6	717.7
Long-term debt, less current portion	1,793	106.5
Lease-related liabilities	418.1	241.4
Deferred income taxes	539.8	181.8
Other non-current liabilities	173.7	140.7
Total liabilities	$ 3,944.2	$ 1,388.1
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 195.9 million and 163.2 million shares issued and outstanding	$ 2	$ 1.6
Additional paid-in capital	1,029.5	669.8
Retained earnings	841.2	859.3
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(11.4)	(12.6)
Total equity	1,861.3	1,518.1
Total liabilities and equity	$ 5,805.5	$ 2,906.2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares shares in Millions	Oct. 24, 2015	Jul. 25, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, issued (shares)	195.9	163.2
Common stock, outstanding (shares)	195.9	163.2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,672	$ 1,194.2
Cost of goods sold	(775.9)	(499.7)
Gross margin	896.1	694.5
Other operating expenses:
Buying, distribution and occupancy expenses	(296.4)	(214.4)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(486.7)	(354.5)
Acquisition and integration expenses	(42.5)	(9)
Depreciation and amortization expense	(82.5)	(50.5)
Total other operating expenses	(908.1)	(628.4)
Operating (loss) income	(12)	66.1
Interest expense	(20.5)	(1.7)
Interest and other income, net	0.6	0.1
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes	(31.9)	64.5
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	13.8	(11)
Net (loss) income	$ (18.1)	$ 53.5
Net (loss) income per common share:
Basic ( in USD per share)	$ (0.10)	$ 0.33
Diluted ( in USD per share)	$ (0.10)	$ 0.32
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	184.8	162
Diluted (in shares)	184.8	164.8

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ (18.1)	$ 53.5
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1.2	(2.4)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	1.2	(2.4)
Total comprehensive (loss) income	$ (16.9)	$ 51.1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (18.1)	$ 53.5
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	82.5	50.5
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	6.1	(12.6)
Deferred rent and other occupancy costs	(12.2)	(9.2)
Amortization of acquisition-related inventory write-up	104.2	0
Stock-based compensation expense	4.8	6.8
Impairments of tangible assets	1.9	1.8
Non-cash interest expense, net	2.3	0.3
Other non-cash income, net	(2.9)	(1.9)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(1.1)	(0.1)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Inventories	(105.8)	(72.8)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and income tax liabilities	(99.3)	10.4
Deferred income	(2.2)	1
Lease-related liabilities	14.9	8.7
Other balance sheet changes, net	(21.5)	(13)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(46.4)	23.4
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for the acquisition of ANN INC., net of cash acquired (Note 4)	(1,494.6)	0
Capital expenditures	(93)	(96.5)
Purchase of investments	0	(12.9)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments	12.7	26.8
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,574.9)	(82.6)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term borrowings, net of original issue discount	1,764	0
Proceeds from revolver borrowings	523.5	214
Repayments of revolver borrowings	(552)	(150)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(41.4)	0
Proceeds from stock options exercised and employee stock purchases	8.4	2.3
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	1.1	0.1
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,703.6	66.4
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	82.3	7.2
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	240.6	156.9
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 322.9	$ 164.1

Description of Business

Description of Business	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business	Description of Business Ascena Retail Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ascena” or the “Company”), is a leading national specialty retailer of apparel for women and tween girls. On August 21, 2015, the Company acquired ANN INC. (" ANN "), a retailer of women’s apparel, shoes and accessories sold primarily under the Ann Taylor and LOFT brands (the "ANN Acquisition"). The Company operates, through its 100% owned subsidiaries, ecommerce operations and approximately 5,000 stores throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The Company's pro forma annual revenues for the fiscal year ended July 25, 2015 of approximately $7.3 billion assumes that the ANN Acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the fiscal year (See Note 4). The Company and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the “Company,” “ascena,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “ourselves,” unless the context indicates otherwise. The Company had the following reportable segments and store counts as of October 24, 2015 : ANN 1,049 stores; Justice 978 stores; Lane Bryant 772 stores; maurices 964 stores; dressbarn 828 stores; and Catherines 377 stores. All of our segments sell fashion merchandise to the women's and girls' apparel market across a wide range of ages, sizes and demographics. Our ANN segment offers modern feminine classics and versatile fashion choices, sold primarily under the Ann Taylor and LOFT brands. Our Justice segment offers fashionable apparel to girls ages 5 to 12 in an environment designed to match the energetic lifestyle of tween girls. Our Lane Bryant segment offers fashionable and sophisticated plus-size apparel under multiple private labels, such as Lane Bryant and Cacique . Our maurices segment offers up-to-date fashion including core and plus-size offerings, with stores concentrated in small markets (approximately 25,000 to 150,000 people). Our dressbarn segment offers moderate-to-better quality career, special occasion and casual fashion for working women. Finally, our Catherines segment offers classic apparel and accessories for wear-to-work and casual lifestyles in a full range of plus sizes, including a focus on extended size ranges.

Basis of Presentation and Summa

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Interim Financial Statements These interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and are unaudited. In the opinion of management, however, such condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the condensed consolidated financial condition, results of operations, comprehensive (loss) income and cash flows of the Company for the interim periods presented. In addition, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“US GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted from this report as is permitted by the SEC’s rules and regulations. However, the Company believes that the disclosures herein are adequate to ensure that the information is fairly presented. The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of July 25, 2015 is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended July 25, 2015 (the “Fiscal 2015 10-K”), which should be read in conjunction with these interim financial statements. Reference is made to the Fiscal 2015 10-K for a complete set of financial statements. Fiscal Period The Company utilizes a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in July. As such, fiscal year 2016 will end on July 30, 2016 and will be a 53-week period (“Fiscal 2016”). Fiscal 2015 ended on July 25, 2015 and reflected a 52-week period (“Fiscal 2015”). The first quarter of Fiscal 2016 ended on October 24, 2015 and was a 13-week period. The first quarter of Fiscal 2015 ended on October 25, 2014 and was also a 13-week period. The ANN segment utilizes a 52-53 week fiscal year following the National Retail Federation calendar. Accordingly, ANN 's results have been included herein for the post-acquisition period from August 22, 2015 to October 31, 2015. The effect of the one-week reporting period difference is not material to the condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended October 24, 2015 . In addition, Fiscal 2016 for ANN will end on July 30, 2016 and represent a 13-week period for the fourth quarter, compared to a 14-week period for the Company's other segments. As a result, ANN will be on the same fiscal calendar as the Company's other segments at the end of Fiscal 2016. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies There are no changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies as described in Notes 3 and 4 to the Fiscal 2015 10-K other than as a result of the ANN Acquisition, as described below. The ANN segment uses the weighted average cost method to value inventory while the Company’s other segments use the retail inventory method. Under the weighted average cost method, inventory is valued at the lower of average cost or market, at the individual item level. Inventory cost is adjusted when the current selling price or future estimated selling price is less than cost.

Recently Issued Accounting Stan

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” (“ASU 2015-03”). The guidance requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt liability. The recognition and measurement for debt issuance costs are not affected and will continue to be recognized over the life of the debt instrument. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods therein. The guidance is to be applied retrospectively, with early application permitted. The Company early adopted this guidance in the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 and as a result reclassified unamortized debt issuance costs of $9.5 million as of July 25, 2015 from Other assets to a reduction of Long-term debt, less current portion in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): "Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments" ("ASU 2015-16"), which eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Under this guidance, the acquirer must recognize measurement-period adjustments in the period in which they determine the amounts, including the effect on earnings of any amounts that would have been recorded in previous periods, as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this ASU in the first quarter of Fiscal 2016. There were no measurement-period adjustments during this quarter and the adoption had no impact on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, "Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory" ("ASU 2015-11"), which requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value and thus, simplifies the current guidance of measuring inventory at the lower of cost or market. ASU 2015-11 is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2015-11 and its impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASU 2014-09"), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 605, "Revenue Recognition." The guidance requires that an entity recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in the amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services. The guidance, which was deferred in July 2015, is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein. The guidance may be applied retrospectively to each period presented or with the cumulative effect recognized as of the initial date of application. Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the new standard and its impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Acquisition of ANN INC.

Acquisition of ANN INC.	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition of ANN INC.	Acquisition of ANN INC. On August 21, 2015, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of ANN for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2.1 billion . The purchase price consisted of approximately $1.75 billion in cash and the issuance of 31.2 million shares of the Company's common stock valued at approximately $345 million , based on the Company's stock price on the date of the acquisition. The cash portion of the purchase price was funded with borrowings under a $1.8 billion seven -year, variable-rate term loan described in Note 10. The acquisition is intended to diversify our portfolio of brands that serve the needs of women of different ages, sizes and demographics. The Company accounted for the ANN Acquisition under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. Accordingly, the cost to acquire such assets was allocated to the underlying net assets in proportion to estimates of their respective fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired was recorded as goodwill, which consists largely of the synergies and economies of scales expected from integrating ANN 's operations. Goodwill is non- deductible for income tax purposes. Given the close proximity of the closing date of the acquisition to the end of the Company's current fiscal quarter, the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including the amount allocated to goodwill, is based upon preliminary information and is subject to change within the measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date) as additional information that existed at the date of the acquisition related to the values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is obtained. The Company expects to finalize the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed by the spring of 2016, particularly as it relates to the valuation of ANN 's numerous leases. The preliminary assessment of fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of August 21, 2015 is as follows: August 21, (millions) Cash and cash equivalents $ 257.6 Inventories 398.3 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 100.8 Property and equipment 451.0 Goodwill 953.2 Other intangible assets (Note 5): Trade names 815.0 Customer relationships 51.5 Favorable leases 49.0 Other assets 3.5 Total assets acquired 3,079.9 Accounts payable 155.6 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (a) 197.0 Deferred income 46.0 Lease-related liabilities 176.6 Deferred income taxes 374.1 Other non-current liabilities (a) 33.4 Total liabilities assumed 982.7 Total net assets acquired $ 2,097.2 _______ (a) As part of the ANN Acquisition, the Company assumed employee-related obligations of approximately $100 million , including approximately $70 million of which were paid during the three months ended October 24, 2015 and the remaining approximately $30 million are expected to be paid by August 2016. Also in connection with the ANN Acquisition, the Company assumed ANN 's pension plan which is frozen and for which the accumulated benefit obligation exceeded the plan's assets by approximately $6 million as of the acquisition date. The values assigned to the Ann Taylor and LOFT trade names were derived using the relief-from-royalties method under the income approach. This approach is used to estimate the cost savings that accrue for the owner of an intangible asset who would otherwise have to pay royalties or licensing fees on revenues earned through the use of the asset if they had not owned the rights to use the assets. The net after-tax royalty savings are calculated for each year in the remaining economic life of the intangible asset and discounted to present value. The Ann Taylor and LOFT trade names are deemed to have indefinite lives and are not amortized but subject to an impairment assessment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. The value assigned to customer relationships was derived using the multi-period excess earnings method under the income approach. This approach estimates the excess earnings generated over the lives of the customers that existed as of the acquisition date and discounts such earnings to present value. Customer relationships are amortized over five years based on the pattern of revenue expected to be generated from the use of the asset. The values of favorable and unfavorable leasehold interests are determined by comparing the present value of the contract rent over the remaining lease term with that of the market rent, taking into account the type, size and location of the property. Favorable leasehold interests are included within Other intangible assets, net and unfavorable leasehold interests are included within Lease-related liabilities in the table above. ANN 's historical lease-related liabilities of similar amounts were eliminated through the purchase accounting. The favorable and unfavorable leasehold interests are amortized into Buying, distribution and occupancy expenses over a weighted-average lease term of approximately four years. The fair value of ANN 's inventory as of the acquisition date was determined by using the estimated selling price, adjusted for the estimated costs of disposal and a reasonable profit margin. Approximately $104 million related to the write-up of inventory to its fair value was amortized to Cost of goods sold in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations in the first quarter of Fiscal 2016, and the remaining $23 million of the inventory step-up will be amortized in the second quarter of Fiscal 2016 as the remaining acquired inventory is sold. The operational results of ANN for the post-acquisition period from August 22, 2015 to October 31, 2015 are included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations for the first quarter of Fiscal 2016. Such post-acquisition results consist of the following: For the period from August 22, 2015 to October 31, 2015 (millions) Net sales $ 501.2 Net loss $ (56.9 ) The following pro forma information has been prepared as if the ANN Acquisition and the issuance of debt to finance the acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of Fiscal 2015. The pro forma amounts reflect the historical operational results for ascena and ANN , after giving effect to (i) interest expense, including amortization of original issue discount and debt issuance costs related to the $1.8 billion term loan, of $26.3 million for the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 and $26.0 million for the first quarter of Fiscal 2015, (ii) depreciation and amortization expenses on the fair value adjustments to ANN 's property and equipment and customer relationships of $5.1 million for the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 and $6.5 million for the first quarter of Fiscal 2015, and (iii) the tax effects of the above items at an estimated statutory rate of 39.5% . Transaction costs of $20.5 million and the amortization of the fair value adjustments to inventory of approximately $104 million currently included in the operational results for the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 are excluded from the pro forma amounts due to their non-recurring nature. The pro forma weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for each period assumes that 31.2 million shares of ascena common stock issued in connection with the acquisition had been issued as of the beginning of Fiscal 2015. The pro forma weighted-average number of diluted shares outstanding for the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 includes the potential dilutive shares of 1.9 million , which are excluded from the reported weighted-average diluted shares outstanding due to the net loss incurred during the period. The pro forma financial information is not indicative of the operational results that would have been obtained had the transactions actually occurred as of that date, nor is it necessarily indicative of the Company’s future operational results. Three Months Ended October 24, October 25, (millions, except per share data) (unaudited) Pro forma net sales $ 1,794.0 $ 1,841.0 Pro forma net income $ 51.9 $ 63.8 Pro forma net income per common share: Basic $ 0.27 $ 0.33 Diluted $ 0.26 $ 0.33

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill The following details the changes in goodwill for each reportable segment: ANN Justice Lane Bryant (a) maurices dressbarn Catherines Total (millions) Balance at July 25, 2015 $ — $ 103.6 $ 57.4 $ 130.7 $ — $ 28.0 $ 319.7 Acquisition-related activity (Note 4) 953.2 — — — — — 953.2 Balance at October 24, 2015 $ 953.2 $ 103.6 $ 57.4 $ 130.7 $ — $ 28.0 $ 1,272.9 (a) Net of accumulated impairment losses of $261.7 million for the Lane Bryant segment as of July 25, 2015 and October 24, 2015 . Other Intangible Assets Other intangible assets consist of the following: October 24, 2015 July 25, 2015 Description Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Intangible assets subject to amortization : (millions) Proprietary technology $ 5.8 $ (5.8 ) $ — $ 5.8 $ (5.8 ) $ — Customer relationships 54.2 (7.0 ) 47.2 2.7 (2.7 ) — Favorable leases 49.0 (2.4 ) 46.6 — — — Trade names 5.3 (5.3 ) — 5.3 (5.3 ) — Total intangible assets subject to amortization 114.3 (20.5 ) 93.8 13.8 (13.8 ) — Intangible assets not subject to amortization : Brands and trade names 1,192.4 — 1,192.4 377.4 — 377.4 Franchise rights 10.9 — 10.9 10.9 — 10.9 Total intangible assets not subject to amortization 1,203.3 — 1,203.3 388.3 — 388.3 Total intangible assets $ 1,317.6 $ (20.5 ) $ 1,297.1 $ 402.1 $ (13.8 ) $ 388.3 Amortization The Company recognized amortization expense of $4.3 million on finite-lived intangible assets, excluding favorable leases discussed in Note 4, for the three months ended October 24, 2015 and $0.7 million for the three months ended October 25, 2014 , which is classified within Depreciation and amortization expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company amortizes customer relationships recognized as part of the ANN Acquisition over five years based on the pattern of revenue expected to be generated from the use of the asset. Based on the amount of intangible assets subject to amortization as of October 24, 2015 , excluding the favorable leases discussed in Note 4, the expected amortization for each of the next five fiscal years is as follows: Expected Amortization (millions) 2016 (remaining nine months) $ 12.9 2017 12.5 2018 9.4 2019 7.1 2020 5.3 Total $ 47.2

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories Inventories substantially consist of finished goods merchandise. Inventory by segment is set forth below: October 24, July 25, (millions) ANN (a) $ 296.6 $ — Justice 158.6 136.0 Lane Bryant 151.5 126.5 maurices 129.8 103.8 dressbarn 107.1 93.3 Catherines 45.6 29.7 Total inventories $ 889.2 $ 489.3 _______ (a) ANN 's inventory as of the end of the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 included unamortized inventory step-up of approximately $23 million related to the ANN Acquisition, which will be expensed in the second quarter of Fiscal 2016 as the remaining acquired inventory is sold .

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment, net, consist of the following: October 24, July 25, (millions) Property and Equipment: Land $ 31.9 $ 30.4 Buildings and improvements 197.4 189.3 Leasehold improvements 926.1 652.7 Furniture, fixtures and equipment 697.0 572.7 Information technology 469.5 356.2 Construction in progress 151.4 148.6 2,473.3 1,949.9 Less: accumulated depreciation (854.0 ) (779.9 ) Property and equipment, net $ 1,619.3 $ 1,170.0 Long-Lived Assets Impairment The charges below reduced the net carrying value of certain long-lived assets to their estimated fair value, which was determined based on discounted expected cash flows. These impairment charges were primarily related to the lower-than-expected operating performance of certain retail stores. Impairment losses for retail store-related assets and finite-lived intangible assets are included as a component of SG&A expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for all periods. There were no finite-lived intangible asset impairment losses recorded for any of the periods presented. Impairment charges related to long-lived tangible assets by segment are as follows: Three Months Ended October 24, October 25, (millions) Justice $ 0.3 $ 0.7 Lane Bryant — 0.2 maurices 0.6 0.8 dressbarn 1.0 0.1 Total impairment charges $ 1.9 $ 1.8

Prepaid Expenses and Other Curr

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following: October 24, July 25, (millions) Prepaid expenses (a) $ 119.0 $ 45.6 Accounts and other receivables (b) 133.8 70.8 Short-term investments 0.7 13.4 Other current assets 0.3 1.7 Total prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 253.8 $ 131.5 _______ (a) Increase is mainly related to prepaid rent and rent-related items of ANN . (a) Increase is related to higher income tax receivables as of October 24, 2015.

Accrued Expenses and Other Curr

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following: October 24, July 25, (millions) Accrued salary, wages and related expenses $ 200.2 $ 176.9 Accrued operating expenses 207.7 202.1 Sales and other taxes payable 22.5 14.2 Other 45.9 10.0 Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 476.3 $ 403.2

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt Debt consists of the following: October 24, July 25, (millions) Principal: Revolving credit facility $ 87.5 $ 116.0 Term Loan 1,800.0 — 1,887.5 116.0 Less: unamortized debt issuance costs (a) (45.8 ) (9.5 ) unamortized original issue discount (a) (35.2 ) — 1,806.5 106.5 Less: current portion (13.5 ) — Total long-term debt $ 1,793.0 $ 106.5 _______ (a) The original issue discount and debt issuance costs for the term loan are amortized over the life of the term loan using the interest rate method based on an imputed interest rate of approximately 6.3% . The unamortized debt issuance costs in connection with the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement, as defined below, are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement. Amended Revolving Credit Agreement In August 2015, in connection with the ANN Acquisition, the Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries amended the revolving credit facility. The amendment increased the aggregate revolving commitments from $500 million to $600 million , with an optional increase of up to $200 million and extended the maturity date to August 2020 (the “Amended Revolving Credit Agreement”). There are no mandatory reductions in aggregate revolving commitments throughout the term of the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement. However, borrowing availability under the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement (the "Availability") is limited by the amount of eligible inventory and receivables as defined in the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement. The Amended Revolving Credit Agreement may be used for the issuance of letters of credit, to fund working capital requirements and capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes. The Amended Revolving Credit Agreement includes a $350 million letter of credit sub-limit, of which $100 million can be used for standby letters of credit, and a $30 million swing loan sub-limit. Throughout the term of the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement, the Company can elect to borrow either Alternative Base Rate Borrowings ("ABR Borrowings") or Eurodollar Borrowings. Eurodollar Borrowings bear interest at a variable rate using the LIBOR for such Interest Period plus an applicable margin ranging from 125 basis points to 150 basis points based on the Company’s average availability during the previous fiscal quarter. ABR Borrowings bear interest at a variable rate determined using a base rate equal to the greatest of (i) prime rate, (ii) federal funds rate plus 50 basis points , or (iii) one-month LIBOR plus 100 basis points ; plus an applicable margin ranging from 25 basis points to 50 basis points based on the average availability during the previous fiscal quarter. As of October 24, 2015 , borrowings under the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement consisted of $70 million of Eurodollar Borrowings at an average rate of 1.50% and $17.5 million of ABR Borrowings at an average rate of 3.5% . Under the terms of the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement, the unutilized commitment fee ranges from 20 basis points to 25 basis points per annum based on the Company's average utilization during the previous fiscal quarter. As of October 24, 2015 , after taking into account the $87.5 million of revolving debt outstanding and the $30.3 million in outstanding letters of credit, the Company had $482.2 million of its availability under the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement. Term Loan Also in connection with the ANN Acquisition, the Company entered into a $1.8 billion variable-rate term loan (the "Term Loan"), which was issued at a 2% discount and provides for an additional term facility of $200 million . The Company is also eligible to borrow an unlimited amount, as long as the Company maintains a minimum senior secured leverage ratio as defined in the Term Loan (the "Senior Secured Leverage Ratio") among other factors. The Term Loan matures on August 21, 2022, and has mandatory quarterly repayments of $4.5 million in calendar 2016 and $22.5 million thereafter, with a remaining balloon payment of approximately $1.3 billion required at maturity. The Company is also required to make mandatory prepayments in connection with certain prepayment events, including (i) commencing with the fiscal year ending July 29, 2017 if the Company has excess cash flow, as defined in the Term Loan, for any fiscal year and the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio for such fiscal year exceeds certain predetermined limits and (ii) from Net Proceeds, as defined in the Term Loan, of asset dispositions and certain casualty events that are greater than $25 million in the aggregate in any fiscal year and not reinvested (or committed to be reinvested) within one year , in each case subject to certain conditions and exceptions. The Company has the right to prepay the Term Loan in any amount and at any time with no prepayment penalties, provided that any prepayment made prior to August 21, 2016 with the proceeds of certain re-pricing events will be subject to a premium equal to 1% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan repaid. At the time of initial borrowings and renewal periods throughout the term of the Term Loan, the Company may elect to borrow either ABR Borrowings or Eurodollar Borrowings. Eurodollar Borrowings bear interest at a variable rate using LIBOR (subject to a 75 basis points floor) plus an applicable margin of 450 basis points . ABR Borrowings bear interest at a variable rate determined using a base rate (subject to a floor of 175 basis points ) equal to the greatest of (i) prime rate, (ii) federal funds rate plus 50 basis points , or (iii) LIBOR plus 100 basis points , plus an applicable margin of 350 basis points . The original issue discount of the Term Loan was $36.0 million and will be amortized into interest expense. As of October 24, 2015 , borrowings under the Term Loan consisted entirely of Eurodollar Borrowings at an average rate of 5.25% . Restrictions under the Term Loan and the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement (collectively the "Borrowing Agreements") Under the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement, the Company is required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement, of at least 1.00 to 1.00 any time in which the Company is in a covenant period, as defined in the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement (the "Covenant Period"). Such Covenant Period is in effect if Availability is less than the greater of (a) 10% of the Credit Limit (the lesser of total Revolving Commitments and the Borrowing Base) and (b) $45 million for three consecutive business days and ends when Availability is greater than these thresholds for 30 consecutive days. The Covenant Period was not in effect as of October 24, 2015 . The Borrowing Agreements contain customary negative covenants, subject to negotiated exceptions, on (i) liens and guarantees, (ii) investments, (iii) indebtedness, (iv) significant corporate changes including mergers and acquisitions, (v) dispositions, (vi) restricted payments, cash dividends, stock repurchase and certain other restrictive agreements. The borrowing agreements also contain customary events of default, such as payment defaults, cross-defaults to certain material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency, the occurrence of a defined change in control, or the failure to observe the negative covenants and other covenants related to the operation of the Company’s business, in each case subject to customary grace periods. The Company's Amended Revolving Credit Agreement allows us to pay dividends, provided that at the time of and immediately after giving effect to the dividend, (i) there is no default or event of default, and (ii) Availability is not less than 20% of the aggregate revolving commitments, subject to a maximum predetermined limit. The Company's Term Loan allows us to pay dividends, provided that at the time of and immediately after giving effect to the dividend, (i) there is no default or event of default, and (ii) total leverage ratio, as defined in the Term Loan agreement, after giving effect to such dividend, is above predetermined limits. Dividends are payable when declared by our Board of Directors. The Company’s obligations under the Borrowing Agreements are guaranteed by certain of its domestic subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). As collateral under the borrowing agreements and the guarantees thereof, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have granted to the administrative agents for the benefit of the lenders, a first priority lien on substantially all of their tangible and intangible assets, including, without limitation, certain domestic inventory and certain material real estate. Maturities of Debt The Company's debt matures as follows: Fiscal Year Amount (millions) 2016 (remaining nine months) $ 9.0 2017 54.0 2018 90.0 2019 90.0 2020 90.0 Subsequent years 1,554.5 Total maturities $ 1,887.5

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements Certain financial assets and liabilities are required to be carried at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company utilizes market data or assumptions that it believes market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, which would maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. In evaluating the fair value measurement techniques for recording certain financial assets and liabilities, there is a three-level valuation hierarchy under which financial assets and liabilities are designated. The determination of the applicable level within the hierarchy of a particular financial asset or liability depends on the inputs used in valuation as of the measurement date. Valuations based on observable or market-based inputs for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) are given the highest level of priority, whereas valuations based on unobservable or internally derived inputs (Level 3 measurement) are given the lowest level of priority. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows: Level 1 Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 2 Financial instruments lacking unadjusted, quoted prices from active market exchanges, including over-the-counter traded financial instruments. The prices for the financial instruments are determined using prices for recently traded financial instruments with similar underlying terms as well as directly or indirectly observable inputs, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 Financial instruments that are not actively traded on a market exchange. This category includes situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the financial instrument. The prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs or valuation techniques. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. As of the dates presented, the Company believes that the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, Accounts and other receivables, and Accounts payable approximates fair value, due to the short maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's Available-for-sale investments and Long-term debt are as follows: As of October 24, 2015 Fair Value Measurements Carrying value Quoted Prices in Active Markets of Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (millions) Assets: Available-for-sale investments (a) $ 0.7 $ 0.7 $ 0.7 $ 0.7 Liabilities: Revolving credit facility (b) $ 81.1 $ 87.5 Term loan (c) 1,725.4 1,734.8 $ 1,806.5 $ 1,822.3 As of July 25, 2015 Fair Value Measurements Carrying value Quoted Prices in Active Markets of Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (millions) Assets: Available-for-sale investments (a) $ 13.4 $ 13.4 $ 13.4 $ 13.4 Liabilities: Revolving credit facility (b) $ 106.5 $ 116.0 $ 106.5 $ 116.0 (a) Available-for-sale investments, included within Prepaid expenses and other current assets, consist of restricted cash and are recorded at fair value as of October 24, 2015 and July 25, 2015. (b) The carrying amount is net of debt issuance costs of $6.4 million as of October 24, 2015 and $9.5 million as of July 25, 2015. (c) The carrying amount is net of unamortized original issue discount and debt issuance costs of $74.6 million as of October 24, 2015.

Equity

Equity	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Equity	Equity Three Months Ended Summary of Changes in Equity : October 24, October 25, (millions) Balance at beginning of period $ 1,518.1 $ 1,737.7 Common stock issued in connection with the ANN Acquisition (Note 4) 344.9 — Net (loss) income (18.1 ) 53.5 Other comprehensive income (loss) 1.2 (2.4 ) Common stock issued and equity grants made pursuant to stock-based compensation plans 15.2 8.3 Balance at end of period $ 1,861.3 $ 1,797.1 Common Stock Repurchase Program In Fiscal 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $100 million share repurchase program (the “2010 Stock Repurchase Program”). The program was then expanded in Fiscal 2011 to cover an additional $100 million of authorized purchases. Under the 2010 Stock Repurchase Program, purchases of shares of common stock may be made at the Company’s discretion from time to time, subject to overall business and market conditions. There were no purchases of common stock by the Company during the three months ended October 24, 2015 under the 2010 Stock Repurchase Program. Repurchased shares normally are retired and treated as authorized but unissued shares. The remaining availability under the 2010 Stock Repurchase Program was approximately $89.9 million at October 24, 2015 . Net (Loss) Income per Common Share Basic net (loss) income per common share is computed by dividing the net (loss) income applicable to common shares after preferred dividend requirements, if any, by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net (loss) income per common share adjusts basic net (loss) income per common share for the effects of outstanding stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and any other potentially dilutive financial instruments, only in the periods in which such effect is dilutive under the treasury stock method. The weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic net (loss) income per common share is reconciled to those shares used in calculating diluted net income per common share as follows: Three Months Ended October 24, October 25, (millions) Basic 184.8 162.0 Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units — 2.8 Diluted shares 184.8 164.8 Options to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price greater than the average market price of the common stock during the reporting period are anti-dilutive, and therefore not included in the computation of diluted net (loss) income per common share. In addition, the Company has outstanding restricted stock units that are issuable only upon the achievement of certain service conditions. Potentially dilutive instruments are not included in the computation of net loss per share for the three months ended October 24, 2015 as the impact of those items in the period is anti-dilutive. As of October 24, 2015 and October 25, 2014 , there was an aggregate of approximately 17.6 million and 8.5 million , respectively, of additional shares issuable upon the exercise of anti-dilutive options and/or the contingent vesting of restricted stock units that were excluded from the diluted share calculations.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation	Stock-based Compensation Long-term Stock Incentive Plan The Company is authorized to issue up to 51 million shares of stock-based awards to eligible employees and directors of the Company under its 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2010 Stock Plan”). The 2010 Stock Plan provides for the granting of either incentive stock options or non-qualified options to purchase shares of common stock, as well as the award of shares of restricted stock and other stock-based awards (including restricted stock units). The 2010 Stock Plan expires on September 19, 2022. As of October 24, 2015 , there were approximately 4.3 million shares remaining under the 2010 Stock Plan available for future grants. The Company issues new shares of common stock when stock option awards are exercised. Impact on Results A summary of the total compensation expense and associated income tax benefit recognized related to stock-based compensation arrangements is as follows: Three Months Ended October 24, October 25, (millions) Compensation expense $ 4.8 $ 6.8 Income tax benefit $ (1.8 ) $ (2.6 ) Stock Options The Company’s weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted during the periods presented were as follows: Three Months Ended October 24, October 25, Expected term (years) 3.0 4.0 Expected volatility 35.1 % 38.9 % Risk-free interest rate 1.5 % 1.8 % Expected dividend yield — % — % Weighted-average grant date fair value $ 4.25 $ 4.99 A summary of the stock option activity under all plans during the three months ended October 24, 2015 is as follows: Number of Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Terms Aggregate Intrinsic Value (a) (thousands) (years) (millions) Options outstanding – July 25, 2015 14,103.9 $ 14.13 5.1 $ 17.3 Granted 2,659.7 13.35 Exercised (1,208.8 ) 6.91 Canceled/Forfeited (180.6 ) 16.70 Options outstanding – October 24, 2015 15,374.2 $ 14.53 5.5 $ 10.2 Options vested and expected to vest at October 24, 2015 (b) 14,899.6 $ 15.00 5.5 $ 10.2 Options exercisable at October 24, 2015 8,830.2 $ 13.99 5.0 $ 10.2 _______ (a) The intrinsic value is the amount by which the market price at the end of the period of the underlying share of stock exceeds the exercise price of the stock option. (b) The number of options expected to vest takes into consideration estimated expected forfeitures. As of October 24, 2015 , there was $31.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested options, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average vesting period of 2.5 years. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended October 24, 2015 was approximately $7.0 million and during the three months ended October 25, 2014 was approximately $2.0 million . The total grant date fair value of options that vested during the three months ended October 24, 2015 was approximately $12.7 million and during the three months ended October 25, 2014 was approximately $13.3 million . Restricted Equity Awards A summary of restricted equity awards activity during the three months ended October 24, 2015 is as follows: Service-based Restricted Equity Awards Performance-based Restricted Equity Awards Market-based Restricted Equity Awards Number of Shares Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Number of Shares Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Number of Shares Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (thousands) (thousands) (thousands) Nonvested at July 25, 2015 1,101.9 $ 16.13 449.1 $ 17.20 184.8 $ 16.84 Granted 1,315.9 13.49 — — — — Vested (224.4 ) 16.47 — — — — Cancelled/Forfeited (12.9 ) 15.70 (449.1 ) 17.20 (184.8 ) 16.84 Nonvested at October 24, 2015 2,180.5 $ 14.50 — $ — — $ — As of October 24, 2015 , there was $23.8 million of total unrecognized compensation related to the service-based Restricted Equity Awards, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average vesting period of 3.3 years . In the first quarter of Fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") approved the cancellation of the Company's performance-based and market-based restricted equity awards. As a result, the previously unrecognized expense related to the market-based restricted equity awards was expensed in the first quarter of Fiscal 2016. In addition, the previously accrued expense related to the performance-based restricted equity awards was derecognized during the first quarter of Fiscal 2016. Such amounts were de minimis and have been included within Selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Cash-Settled Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards ("Cash-Settled LTIP Awards") In the first quarter of Fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee approved the cancellation of the Company's Cash-Settled LTIP Awards. As a result, an aggregate of approximately 1.3 million awards were canceled and previously accrued liabilities of $1.7 million were derecognized and recorded as a reduction of Selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Lease Commitments The Company’s operating lease obligations represent future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of October 24, 2015 . The minimum lease payments do not include common area maintenance ("CAM") charges or real estate taxes, which are also required contractual obligations under the operating leases. In the majority of the Company’s operating leases, CAM charges are not fixed and can fluctuate from year to year. The following is a schedule of future minimum rentals under non-cancelable operating leases as of October 24, 2015 : Fiscal Years Minimum Operating Lease Payments (a)(b) (millions) 2016 (remaining nine months) $ 458.9 2017 542.3 2018 457.3 2019 377.3 2020 319.8 Subsequent years 813.7 Total future minimum rentals $ 2,969.3 (a) Although such amounts are generally non-cancelable, certain leases are cancelable if specified sales levels are not achieved. All future minimum rentals under such leases have been included in the above table. (b) Net of sublease income, which was not significant in any period. Employment Agreements The Company has employment agreements with certain executives in the normal course of business which provide for compensation and certain other benefits. These agreements also provide for severance payments under certain circumstances. A former Justice executive retired effective January 24, 2015. As a result, previously accrued deferred compensation under the terms of his employment agreement of approximately $35 million became payable and was paid during the first quarter of Fiscal 2016. This amount, which was treated as a non-deductible permanent item for income tax purposes in previous periods, became fully deductible in the first quarter of Fiscal 2015. The related tax benefit of approximately $13 million was treated as a discrete item within the first quarter of Fiscal 2015 and was a significant factor in reducing the Company's effective income tax rate during that period. In addition to the deferred compensation above, and also pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, a previously accrued severance payment of $9 million was paid into a Rabbi Trust in Fiscal 2015. As of July 25, 2015, these funds were recorded as restricted cash within short-term investments included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets with a corresponding liability included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities. This balance was also paid during the first quarter of Fiscal 2016. Other Commitments The Company enters into various cancelable and non-cancelable commitments during the year. Typically, those commitments are for less than a year in duration and are principally focused on the construction of new retail stores and the procurement of inventory. The Company normally does not maintain any long-term or exclusive commitments or arrangements to purchase merchandise from any single supplier. Preliminary commitments with the Company’s private-label merchandise vendors typically are made five to seven months in advance of planned receipt date. Generally, these merchandise purchase commitments are cancelable up to 30 days prior to the vendor’s scheduled shipment date. In addition, the Company has $30.3 million of outstanding letters of credit as of October 24, 2015 . Legal Matters The Company is, from time to time, involved in routine litigation incidental to the conduct of our business, including litigation instituted by persons injured upon premises under our control; litigation regarding the merchandise that we sell, including our advertising and marketing practices and product and safety concerns; litigation with respect to various employment matters, including wage and hour litigation; litigation with present or former employees; and litigation regarding intellectual property rights. Although such litigation is routine and incidental to the conduct of our business, as with any business of our size with a significant number of employees and significant merchandise sales, such litigation could result in large monetary awards. However, management believes that, excluding the effect of the Justice pricing lawsuits discussed below, current pending litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company is a defendant in a number of class action lawsuits that allege that Justice ’s promotional practices violated state comparative pricing laws in connection with advertisements promoting a 40% discount. The plaintiffs further allege false advertising, violation of state consumer protection statutes, breach of contract, breach of express warranty, and unfair benefit to Justice . The plaintiffs seek to stop Justice ’s allegedly unlawful practice, and obtain damages for Justice ’s customers in the named states. They also seek interest and legal fees. In July 2015, an agreement was reached to settle the lawsuits on a class basis with all Justice customers who made purchases between January 1, 2012 and February 28, 2015 for approximately $50 million , including payments to members of the class, payment of legal fees and expenses of settlement administration. As a result, the Company established a reserve for approximately $50 million during Fiscal 2015. The proposed Settlement Agreement was filed with the Court for preliminary approval on September 24, 2015. As of October 24, 2015 , the Company continues to believe that the previously accrued $50 million reflects a liability that is both probable and reasonably estimable. Subsequent to the end of the first quarter, on October 27, 2015, the Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement and directed that notice be provided to the class members. The Company paid approximately $50 million into an escrow account on November 16, 2015. The settlement remains subject to an opportunity for class members to object or exclude themselves from the settlement, final approval by the Court after consideration of any objections and a potential appeal. The Court has scheduled a hearing on final approval for May 20, 2016. Once final non-appealable approval is granted, it will resolve all claims in all of the outstanding class actions on behalf of customers who made purchases between January 1, 2012 and February 28, 2015, and any claims for purchases outside that time frame. Recently, potential claims related to purchases made in 2010 and 2011 have been raised. The Company believes it has strong defenses to any such claims and is prepared to defend any such claims. In the event that individual class members exclude themselves from the settlement, they would then only be able to pursue individual claims rather than class claims. If the plaintiffs who have brought the other actions excluded themselves from the settlement, the Company believes that the liability associated with any of their individual cases would not be material. If the matters described herein do not occur and the pricing lawsuits are not settled, the ultimate resolution of these matters may or may not result in an additional material loss, which cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

Segment Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information The Company’s segment reporting structure reflects an approach designed to optimize the operational coordination and resource allocation of its businesses across multiple functional areas including specialty retail, ecommerce and licensing. The six reportable segments described below represent the Company’s activities for which separate financial information is available and utilized on a regular basis by the Company’s executive team to evaluate performance and allocate resources. In identifying reportable segments and disclosure of product offerings, the Company considers economic characteristics, as well as products, customers, sales growth potential and long-term profitability. As such, the Company reports its operations in six reportable segments as follows: • ANN segment – consists primarily of the specialty retail, outlet and ecommerce operations of the Ann Taylor and LOFT brands. • Justice segment – consists of the specialty retail, outlet, ecommerce and licensing operations of the Justice brand. • Lane Bryant segment – consists of the specialty retail, outlet and ecommerce operations of the Lane Bryant brand and its Cacique intimates label. • maurices segment – consists of the specialty retail, outlet and ecommerce operations of the maurices brand. • dressbarn segment – consists of the specialty retail, outlet and ecommerce operations of the dressbarn brand. • Catherines segment – consists of the specialty retail and ecommerce operations of the Catherines brand. Other than ANN 's inventory valuation method and reporting period differences described in Note 2, the accounting policies of the Company’s reporting segments are consistent with those described in the Fiscal 2015 10-K. All intercompany revenues are eliminated in consolidation. Corporate overhead expenses are allocated to the segments based upon specific usage or other reasonable allocation methods. Net sales, operating (loss) income and depreciation and amortization expense for each segment are as follows: Three Months Ended October 24, October 25, (millions) Net sales: ANN (a) $ 501.2 $ — Justice 305.4 357.0 Lane Bryant 256.2 245.7 maurices 282.7 251.9 dressbarn 247.4 259.6 Catherines 79.1 80.0 Total net sales $ 1,672.0 $ 1,194.2 Operating (loss) income: ANN (a) (b) $ (48.1 ) $ — Justice 40.2 40.8 Lane Bryant (1.4 ) (8.6 ) maurices 39.7 26.9 dressbarn (4.7 ) 8.1 Catherines 4.8 7.9 Unallocated acquisition and integration expenses (42.5 ) (9.0 ) Total operating (loss) income $ (12.0 ) $ 66.1 Depreciation and amortization expense: ANN (a) $ 27.7 $ — Justice 17.0 14.8 Lane Bryant 10.5 11.6 maurices 11.6 10.6 dressbarn 13.4 11.8 Catherines 2.3 1.7 Total depreciation and amortization expense $ 82.5 $ 50.5 _______ (a) Information related to the ANN segment for the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 is for the post-acquisition period from August 22, 2015 to October 31, 2015. (b) The operating results of ANN from August 22, 2015 to October 31, 2015 include approximately $110 million of purchase accounting adjustments, primarily related to the amortization of inventory step-up, as discussed in Notes 4 and 5.

Additional Financial Informatio

Additional Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Additional Financial Information	Additional Financial Information Three Months Ended Cash Interest and Taxes: October 24, October 25, (millions) Cash paid for interest $ 0.8 $ 1.3 Cash paid for income taxes $ 2.0 $ 6.0 Non-cash Transactions In connection with the ANN Acquisition, as more fully described in Note 4, the Company issued 31.2 million shares of common stock valued at approximately $345 million , based on the Company's stock price on the date of the acquisition. Non-cash investing activities include accrued purchases of fixed assets in the amount of $37.5 million as of October 24, 2015 and $46.3 million as of October 25, 2014 .

Basis of Presentation and Sum23

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Interim Financial Statements	Interim Financial Statements These interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and are unaudited. In the opinion of management, however, such condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the condensed consolidated financial condition, results of operations, comprehensive (loss) income and cash flows of the Company for the interim periods presented. In addition, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“US GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted from this report as is permitted by the SEC’s rules and regulations. However, the Company believes that the disclosures herein are adequate to ensure that the information is fairly presented. The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of July 25, 2015 is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended July 25, 2015 (the “Fiscal 2015 10-K”), which should be read in conjunction with these interim financial statements. Reference is made to the Fiscal 2015 10-K for a complete set of financial statements.
Fiscal Period	Fiscal Period The Company utilizes a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in July. As such, fiscal year 2016 will end on July 30, 2016 and will be a 53-week period (“Fiscal 2016”). Fiscal 2015 ended on July 25, 2015 and reflected a 52-week period (“Fiscal 2015”). The first quarter of Fiscal 2016 ended on October 24, 2015 and was a 13-week period. The first quarter of Fiscal 2015 ended on October 25, 2014 and was also a 13-week period.
Inventory	The ANN segment uses the weighted average cost method to value inventory while the Company’s other segments use the retail inventory method. Under the weighted average cost method, inventory is valued at the lower of average cost or market, at the individual item level. Inventory cost is adjusted when the current selling price or future estimated selling price is less than cost.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” (“ASU 2015-03”). The guidance requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt liability. The recognition and measurement for debt issuance costs are not affected and will continue to be recognized over the life of the debt instrument. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods therein. The guidance is to be applied retrospectively, with early application permitted. The Company early adopted this guidance in the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 and as a result reclassified unamortized debt issuance costs of $9.5 million as of July 25, 2015 from Other assets to a reduction of Long-term debt, less current portion in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): "Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments" ("ASU 2015-16"), which eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Under this guidance, the acquirer must recognize measurement-period adjustments in the period in which they determine the amounts, including the effect on earnings of any amounts that would have been recorded in previous periods, as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this ASU in the first quarter of Fiscal 2016. There were no measurement-period adjustments during this quarter and the adoption had no impact on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, "Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory" ("ASU 2015-11"), which requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value and thus, simplifies the current guidance of measuring inventory at the lower of cost or market. ASU 2015-11 is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2015-11 and its impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASU 2014-09"), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 605, "Revenue Recognition." The guidance requires that an entity recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in the amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services. The guidance, which was deferred in July 2015, is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein. The guidance may be applied retrospectively to each period presented or with the cumulative effect recognized as of the initial date of application. Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the new standard and its impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Acquisition of ANN INC. (Tables

Acquisition of ANN INC. (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The preliminary assessment of fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of August 21, 2015 is as follows: August 21, (millions) Cash and cash equivalents $ 257.6 Inventories 398.3 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 100.8 Property and equipment 451.0 Goodwill 953.2 Other intangible assets (Note 5): Trade names 815.0 Customer relationships 51.5 Favorable leases 49.0 Other assets 3.5 Total assets acquired 3,079.9 Accounts payable 155.6 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (a) 197.0 Deferred income 46.0 Lease-related liabilities 176.6 Deferred income taxes 374.1 Other non-current liabilities (a) 33.4 Total liabilities assumed 982.7 Total net assets acquired $ 2,097.2 _______ (a) As part of the ANN Acquisition, the Company assumed employee-related obligations of approximately $100 million , including approximately $70 million of which were paid during the three months ended October 24, 2015 and the remaining approximately $30 million are expected to be paid by August 2016. Also in connection with the ANN Acquisition, the Company assumed ANN 's pension plan which is frozen and for which the accumulated benefit obligation exceeded the plan's assets by approximately $6 million as of the acquisition date.
Schedule of Acquiree's Post-acquisition Operational Results	Such post-acquisition results consist of the following: For the period from August 22, 2015 to October 31, 2015 (millions) Net sales $ 501.2 Net loss $ (56.9 )
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	The pro forma financial information is not indicative of the operational results that would have been obtained had the transactions actually occurred as of that date, nor is it necessarily indicative of the Company’s future operational results. Three Months Ended October 24, October 25, (millions, except per share data) (unaudited) Pro forma net sales $ 1,794.0 $ 1,841.0 Pro forma net income $ 51.9 $ 63.8 Pro forma net income per common share: Basic $ 0.27 $ 0.33 Diluted $ 0.26 $ 0.33

Goodwill and Other Intangible25

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The following details the changes in goodwill for each reportable segment: ANN Justice Lane Bryant (a) maurices dressbarn Catherines Total (millions) Balance at July 25, 2015 $ — $ 103.6 $ 57.4 $ 130.7 $ — $ 28.0 $ 319.7 Acquisition-related activity (Note 4) 953.2 — — — — — 953.2 Balance at October 24, 2015 $ 953.2 $ 103.6 $ 57.4 $ 130.7 $ — $ 28.0 $ 1,272.9 (a) Net of accumulated impairment losses of $261.7 million for the Lane Bryant segment as of July 25, 2015 and October 24, 2015 .
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	Other intangible assets consist of the following: October 24, 2015 July 25, 2015 Description Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Intangible assets subject to amortization : (millions) Proprietary technology $ 5.8 $ (5.8 ) $ — $ 5.8 $ (5.8 ) $ — Customer relationships 54.2 (7.0 ) 47.2 2.7 (2.7 ) — Favorable leases 49.0 (2.4 ) 46.6 — — — Trade names 5.3 (5.3 ) — 5.3 (5.3 ) — Total intangible assets subject to amortization 114.3 (20.5 ) 93.8 13.8 (13.8 ) — Intangible assets not subject to amortization : Brands and trade names 1,192.4 — 1,192.4 377.4 — 377.4 Franchise rights 10.9 — 10.9 10.9 — 10.9 Total intangible assets not subject to amortization 1,203.3 — 1,203.3 388.3 — 388.3 Total intangible assets $ 1,317.6 $ (20.5 ) $ 1,297.1 $ 402.1 $ (13.8 ) $ 388.3
Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	Other intangible assets consist of the following: October 24, 2015 July 25, 2015 Description Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Intangible assets subject to amortization : (millions) Proprietary technology $ 5.8 $ (5.8 ) $ — $ 5.8 $ (5.8 ) $ — Customer relationships 54.2 (7.0 ) 47.2 2.7 (2.7 ) — Favorable leases 49.0 (2.4 ) 46.6 — — — Trade names 5.3 (5.3 ) — 5.3 (5.3 ) — Total intangible assets subject to amortization 114.3 (20.5 ) 93.8 13.8 (13.8 ) — Intangible assets not subject to amortization : Brands and trade names 1,192.4 — 1,192.4 377.4 — 377.4 Franchise rights 10.9 — 10.9 10.9 — 10.9 Total intangible assets not subject to amortization 1,203.3 — 1,203.3 388.3 — 388.3 Total intangible assets $ 1,317.6 $ (20.5 ) $ 1,297.1 $ 402.1 $ (13.8 ) $ 388.3
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	Based on the amount of intangible assets subject to amortization as of October 24, 2015 , excluding the favorable leases discussed in Note 4, the expected amortization for each of the next five fiscal years is as follows: Expected Amortization (millions) 2016 (remaining nine months) $ 12.9 2017 12.5 2018 9.4 2019 7.1 2020 5.3 Total $ 47.2

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventories by Brand	Inventories substantially consist of finished goods merchandise. Inventory by segment is set forth below: October 24, July 25, (millions) ANN (a) $ 296.6 $ — Justice 158.6 136.0 Lane Bryant 151.5 126.5 maurices 129.8 103.8 dressbarn 107.1 93.3 Catherines 45.6 29.7 Total inventories $ 889.2 $ 489.3 _______ (a) ANN 's inventory as of the end of the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 included unamortized inventory step-up of approximately $23 million related to the ANN Acquisition, which will be expensed in the second quarter of Fiscal 2016 as the remaining acquired inventory is sold .

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of property and equipment, net	Property and equipment, net, consist of the following: October 24, July 25, (millions) Property and Equipment: Land $ 31.9 $ 30.4 Buildings and improvements 197.4 189.3 Leasehold improvements 926.1 652.7 Furniture, fixtures and equipment 697.0 572.7 Information technology 469.5 356.2 Construction in progress 151.4 148.6 2,473.3 1,949.9 Less: accumulated depreciation (854.0 ) (779.9 ) Property and equipment, net $ 1,619.3 $ 1,170.0
Impairment charges related to long-lived tangible assets by segment	Impairment charges related to long-lived tangible assets by segment are as follows: Three Months Ended October 24, October 25, (millions) Justice $ 0.3 $ 0.7 Lane Bryant — 0.2 maurices 0.6 0.8 dressbarn 1.0 0.1 Total impairment charges $ 1.9 $ 1.8

Prepaid Expenses and Other Cu28

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following: October 24, July 25, (millions) Prepaid expenses (a) $ 119.0 $ 45.6 Accounts and other receivables (b) 133.8 70.8 Short-term investments 0.7 13.4 Other current assets 0.3 1.7 Total prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 253.8 $ 131.5 _______ (a) Increase is mainly related to prepaid rent and rent-related items of ANN . (a) Increase is related to higher income tax receivables as of October 24, 2015.

Accrued Expenses and Other Cu29

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Schedule of Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following: October 24, July 25, (millions) Accrued salary, wages and related expenses $ 200.2 $ 176.9 Accrued operating expenses 207.7 202.1 Sales and other taxes payable 22.5 14.2 Other 45.9 10.0 Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 476.3 $ 403.2

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	Debt consists of the following: October 24, July 25, (millions) Principal: Revolving credit facility $ 87.5 $ 116.0 Term Loan 1,800.0 — 1,887.5 116.0 Less: unamortized debt issuance costs (a) (45.8 ) (9.5 ) unamortized original issue discount (a) (35.2 ) — 1,806.5 106.5 Less: current portion (13.5 ) — Total long-term debt $ 1,793.0 $ 106.5 _______ (a) The original issue discount and debt issuance costs for the term loan are amortized over the life of the term loan using the interest rate method based on an imputed interest rate of approximately 6.3% . The unamortized debt issuance costs in connection with the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement, as defined below, are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement.
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	The Company's debt matures as follows: Fiscal Year Amount (millions) 2016 (remaining nine months) $ 9.0 2017 54.0 2018 90.0 2019 90.0 2020 90.0 Subsequent years 1,554.5 Total maturities $ 1,887.5

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring	The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's Available-for-sale investments and Long-term debt are as follows: As of October 24, 2015 Fair Value Measurements Carrying value Quoted Prices in Active Markets of Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (millions) Assets: Available-for-sale investments (a) $ 0.7 $ 0.7 $ 0.7 $ 0.7 Liabilities: Revolving credit facility (b) $ 81.1 $ 87.5 Term loan (c) 1,725.4 1,734.8 $ 1,806.5 $ 1,822.3 As of July 25, 2015 Fair Value Measurements Carrying value Quoted Prices in Active Markets of Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (millions) Assets: Available-for-sale investments (a) $ 13.4 $ 13.4 $ 13.4 $ 13.4 Liabilities: Revolving credit facility (b) $ 106.5 $ 116.0 $ 106.5 $ 116.0 (a) Available-for-sale investments, included within Prepaid expenses and other current assets, consist of restricted cash and are recorded at fair value as of October 24, 2015 and July 25, 2015. (b) The carrying amount is net of debt issuance costs of $6.4 million as of October 24, 2015 and $9.5 million as of July 25, 2015. (c) The carrying amount is net of unamortized original issue discount and debt issuance costs of $74.6 million as of October 24, 2015.

Equity (Tables)

Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Equity	Three Months Ended Summary of Changes in Equity : October 24, October 25, (millions) Balance at beginning of period $ 1,518.1 $ 1,737.7 Common stock issued in connection with the ANN Acquisition (Note 4) 344.9 — Net (loss) income (18.1 ) 53.5 Other comprehensive income (loss) 1.2 (2.4 ) Common stock issued and equity grants made pursuant to stock-based compensation plans 15.2 8.3 Balance at end of period $ 1,861.3 $ 1,797.1
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares	The weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic net (loss) income per common share is reconciled to those shares used in calculating diluted net income per common share as follows: Three Months Ended October 24, October 25, (millions) Basic 184.8 162.0 Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units — 2.8 Diluted shares 184.8 164.8

Stock-based Compensation (Table

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Total Compensation Expense and Associated Income Tax Benefit	A summary of the total compensation expense and associated income tax benefit recognized related to stock-based compensation arrangements is as follows: Three Months Ended October 24, October 25, (millions) Compensation expense $ 4.8 $ 6.8 Income tax benefit $ (1.8 ) $ (2.6 )
Weighted-Average Assumptions used to Estimate Fair Value of Stock Options Granted	The Company’s weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted during the periods presented were as follows: Three Months Ended October 24, October 25, Expected term (years) 3.0 4.0 Expected volatility 35.1 % 38.9 % Risk-free interest rate 1.5 % 1.8 % Expected dividend yield — % — % Weighted-average grant date fair value $ 4.25 $ 4.99
Summary of Stock Option Activity under all Plans	A summary of the stock option activity under all plans during the three months ended October 24, 2015 is as follows: Number of Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Terms Aggregate Intrinsic Value (a) (thousands) (years) (millions) Options outstanding – July 25, 2015 14,103.9 $ 14.13 5.1 $ 17.3 Granted 2,659.7 13.35 Exercised (1,208.8 ) 6.91 Canceled/Forfeited (180.6 ) 16.70 Options outstanding – October 24, 2015 15,374.2 $ 14.53 5.5 $ 10.2 Options vested and expected to vest at October 24, 2015 (b) 14,899.6 $ 15.00 5.5 $ 10.2 Options exercisable at October 24, 2015 8,830.2 $ 13.99 5.0 $ 10.2 _______ (a) The intrinsic value is the amount by which the market price at the end of the period of the underlying share of stock exceeds the exercise price of the stock option. (b) The number of options expected to vest takes into consideration estimated expected forfeitures.
Summary of Restricted Equity Awards Activity	A summary of restricted equity awards activity during the three months ended October 24, 2015 is as follows: Service-based Restricted Equity Awards Performance-based Restricted Equity Awards Market-based Restricted Equity Awards Number of Shares Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Number of Shares Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Number of Shares Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (thousands) (thousands) (thousands) Nonvested at July 25, 2015 1,101.9 $ 16.13 449.1 $ 17.20 184.8 $ 16.84 Granted 1,315.9 13.49 — — — — Vested (224.4 ) 16.47 — — — — Cancelled/Forfeited (12.9 ) 15.70 (449.1 ) 17.20 (184.8 ) 16.84 Nonvested at October 24, 2015 2,180.5 $ 14.50 — $ — — $ —

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases	The following is a schedule of future minimum rentals under non-cancelable operating leases as of October 24, 2015 : Fiscal Years Minimum Operating Lease Payments (a)(b) (millions) 2016 (remaining nine months) $ 458.9 2017 542.3 2018 457.3 2019 377.3 2020 319.8 Subsequent years 813.7 Total future minimum rentals $ 2,969.3 (a) Although such amounts are generally non-cancelable, certain leases are cancelable if specified sales levels are not achieved. All future minimum rentals under such leases have been included in the above table. (b) Net of sublease income, which was not significant in any period.

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure	Net sales, operating (loss) income and depreciation and amortization expense for each segment are as follows: Three Months Ended October 24, October 25, (millions) Net sales: ANN (a) $ 501.2 $ — Justice 305.4 357.0 Lane Bryant 256.2 245.7 maurices 282.7 251.9 dressbarn 247.4 259.6 Catherines 79.1 80.0 Total net sales $ 1,672.0 $ 1,194.2 Operating (loss) income: ANN (a) (b) $ (48.1 ) $ — Justice 40.2 40.8 Lane Bryant (1.4 ) (8.6 ) maurices 39.7 26.9 dressbarn (4.7 ) 8.1 Catherines 4.8 7.9 Unallocated acquisition and integration expenses (42.5 ) (9.0 ) Total operating (loss) income $ (12.0 ) $ 66.1 Depreciation and amortization expense: ANN (a) $ 27.7 $ — Justice 17.0 14.8 Lane Bryant 10.5 11.6 maurices 11.6 10.6 dressbarn 13.4 11.8 Catherines 2.3 1.7 Total depreciation and amortization expense $ 82.5 $ 50.5 _______ (a) Information related to the ANN segment for the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 is for the post-acquisition period from August 22, 2015 to October 31, 2015. (b) The operating results of ANN from August 22, 2015 to October 31, 2015 include approximately $110 million of purchase accounting adjustments, primarily related to the amortization of inventory step-up, as discussed in Notes 4 and 5.

Additional Financial Informat36

Additional Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash Interest and Taxes	Three Months Ended Cash Interest and Taxes: October 24, October 25, (millions) Cash paid for interest $ 0.8 $ 1.3 Cash paid for income taxes $ 2.0 $ 6.0

Description of Business (Narrat

Description of Business (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015USD ($)Store	Oct. 25, 2014USD ($)	Jul. 25, 2015USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
Number of stores	5,000
Net sales | $	$ 1,672	$ 1,194.2	$ 7,300
ANN
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of stores	1,049
Justice
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of stores	978
Lane Bryant
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of stores	772
Maurices
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of stores	964
Dressbarn
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of stores	828
Catherines
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of stores	377

Recently Issued Accounting St38

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 24, 2015	Jul. 25, 2015
Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ 45.8	$ 9.5
Adjustments for New Accounting Principle, Early Adoption
Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs		$ 9.5

Acquisition of ANN INC. (Narrat

Acquisition of ANN INC. (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions	Aug. 21, 2015	Oct. 31, 2015	Jan. 23, 2016	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Common stock issued related to acquisition, value				$ 344,900,000	$ 0
Amortization of acquisition-related inventory write-up				$ 104,200,000	$ 0
ANN
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of interests acquired	100.00%
Aggregate purchase price to acquire business	$ 2,100,000,000
Payments to acquire businesses	$ 1,750,000,000
Common stock issued related to acquisition, shares	31.2
Common stock issued related to acquisition, value	$ 345,000,000
Business combination, measurement period from acquisition date				1 year
Amortization of acquisition-related inventory write-up				$ 104,000,000
Term loan
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt maximum borrowing capacity	1,800,000,000
Term loan | ANN
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,800,000,000
Debt instrument term	7 years
Customer relationships | ANN
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets useful life	5 years
Favorable Leasehold | ANN
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets useful life	4 years
Unfavorable Leasehold | ANN
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets useful life	4 years
Scenario, Forecast | ANN
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization of acquisition-related inventory write-up			$ 23,000,000
Subsequent Event | ANN
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net sales of acquiree since acquisition date		$ 501,200,000
Net loss of acquiree since acquisition date		$ 56,900,000

Acquisition of ANN INC. (Prelim

Acquisition of ANN INC. (Preliminary Assessment of Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	10 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 21, 2015	Jul. 25, 2015
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 1,272.9			$ 319.7
ANN
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents			$ 257.6
Inventories			398.3
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			100.8
Property and equipment			451
Goodwill			953.2
Other assets			3.5
Total assets acquired			3,079.9
Accounts payable			155.6
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			197
Deferred income			46
Lease-related liabilities			176.6
Deferred income taxes			374.1
Other non-current liabilities			33.4
Total liabilities assumed			982.7
Total net assets acquired			2,097.2
Employee-related obligations			100
Payments to employees	$ 70
Pension unfunded amount			6
Trade names | ANN
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Other intangible assets (Note 5):			815
Customer relationships | ANN
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Other intangible assets (Note 5):			51.5
Favorable leases | ANN
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Other intangible assets (Note 5):			$ 49
Scenario, Forecast | ANN
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Payments to employees		$ 30

Acquisition of ANN INC. (Pro Fo

Acquisition of ANN INC. (Pro Forma Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions	Aug. 21, 2015	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding		1.9
ANN
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization of original issue discount and debt issuance costs		$ 26,300,000	$ 26,000,000
Depreciation and amortization on long-lived assets		$ 5,100,000	6,500,000
Business combination, pro forma information, estimated statutory tax rate		39.50%
Common stock issued related to acquisition, shares	31.2
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Pro forma net sales		$ 1,794,000,000	1,841,000,000
Pro forma net income		$ 51,900,000	$ 63,800
Pro forma net income per common share:
Basic (in USD per share)		$ 0.27	$ 0.33
Diluted (in USD per share)		$ 0.26	$ 0.33
Term loan
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,800,000,000
Term loan | ANN
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,800,000,000
Acquisition-related Costs | ANN
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		$ 20,500,000
Fair Value Adjustment to Inventory | ANN
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		$ 104,000,000

Goodwill and Other Intangible42

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Goodwill) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 319.7
Acquisition-related activity (Note 4)	953.2
Goodwill, Ending Balance	1,272.9
ANN
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	0
Acquisition-related activity (Note 4)	953.2
Goodwill, Ending Balance	953.2
Justice
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	103.6
Acquisition-related activity (Note 4)	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	103.6
Lane Bryant
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	57.4
Acquisition-related activity (Note 4)	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	57.4
Impairment losses	261.7
maurices
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	130.7
Acquisition-related activity (Note 4)	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	130.7
dressbarn
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	0
Acquisition-related activity (Note 4)	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	0
Catherines
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	28
Acquisition-related activity (Note 4)	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 28

Goodwill and Other Intangible43

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Other Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 24, 2015	Jul. 25, 2015
Schedule of Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, gross carrying amount	$ 114.3	$ 13.8
Intangible assets subject to amortization, accumulated amortization	(20.5)	(13.8)
Total	93.8	0
Intangible assets not subject to amortization, gross carrying amount	1,203.3	388.3
Total intangible assets, gross carrying amount	1,317.6	402.1
Total intangible assets, Net	1,297.1	388.3
Brands and trade names
Schedule of Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets not subject to amortization, gross carrying amount	1,192.4	377.4
Franchise rights
Schedule of Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets not subject to amortization, gross carrying amount	10.9	10.9
Proprietary technology
Schedule of Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, gross carrying amount	5.8	5.8
Intangible assets subject to amortization, accumulated amortization	(5.8)	(5.8)
Total	0	0
Customer relationships
Schedule of Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, gross carrying amount	54.2	2.7
Intangible assets subject to amortization, accumulated amortization	(7)	(2.7)
Total	47.2	0
Favorable leases
Schedule of Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, gross carrying amount	49	0
Intangible assets subject to amortization, accumulated amortization	(2.4)	0
Total	46.6	0
Trade names
Schedule of Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization, gross carrying amount	5.3	5.3
Intangible assets subject to amortization, accumulated amortization	(5.3)	(5.3)
Total	$ 0	$ 0

Goodwill and Other Intangible44

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Amortization) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 21, 2015	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014	Jul. 25, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Recognized amortization expense on other intangible assets		$ 4.3	$ 0.7
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Total		93.8		$ 0
Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
2016 (remaining nine months)		12.9
2,017		12.5
2,018		9.4
2,019		7.1
2,020		5.3
Total		$ 47.2		$ 0
ANN | Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets useful life	5 years

Inventories (Schedule of Invent

Inventories (Schedule of Inventories by Brand) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 23, 2016	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014	Jul. 25, 2015
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventories		$ 889.2		$ 489.3
Amortization of acquisition-related inventory write-up		104.2	$ 0
ANN
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventories		296.6		0
Justice
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventories		158.6		136
Lane Bryant
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventories		151.5		126.5
Maurices
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventories		129.8		103.8
Dressbarn
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventories		107.1		93.3
Catherines
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventories		$ 45.6		$ 29.7
Scenario, Forecast | ANN
Inventory [Line Items]
Amortization of acquisition-related inventory write-up	$ 23

Property and Equipment (Schedul

Property and Equipment (Schedule of Property and Equipment, Net) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 24, 2015	Jul. 25, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 2,473.3	$ 1,949.9
Less: accumulated depreciation	(854)	(779.9)
Property and equipment, net	1,619.3	1,170
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	31.9	30.4
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	197.4	189.3
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	926.1	652.7
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	697	572.7
Information technology
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	469.5	356.2
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 151.4	$ 148.6

Property and Equipment (Impairm

Property and Equipment (Impairment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairments of tangible assets	$ 1.9	$ 1.8
Justice
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairments of tangible assets	0.3	0.7
Lane Bryant
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairments of tangible assets	0	0.2
Maurices
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairments of tangible assets	0.6	0.8
Dressbarn
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairments of tangible assets	$ 1	$ 0.1

Prepaid Expenses and Other Cu48

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 24, 2015	Jul. 25, 2015
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Prepaid expenses	$ 119	$ 45.6
Accounts and other receivables	133.8	70.8
Short-term investments	0.7	13.4
Other current assets	0.3	1.7
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$ 253.8	$ 131.5

Accrued Expenses and Other Cu49

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 24, 2015	Jul. 25, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued salary, wages and related expenses	$ 200.2	$ 176.9
Accrued operating expenses	207.7	202.1
Sales and other taxes payable	22.5	14.2
Other	45.9	10
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$ 476.3	$ 403.2

Debt (Schedule of Debt) (Detail

Debt (Schedule of Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 24, 2015	Aug. 21, 2015	Jul. 25, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, including unamortized original issue discount and debt issuance costs	$ 1,887.5		$ 116
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs	(45.8)		(9.5)
unamortized original issue discount	(35.2)		0
Long-term debt	1,806.5		106.5
Less: current portion	(13.5)		0
Total long-term debt	$ 1,793		106.5
Debt stated interest rate	6.30%
Term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, including unamortized original issue discount and debt issuance costs	$ 1,800		0
unamortized original issue discount		$ (36)
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, including unamortized original issue discount and debt issuance costs	$ 87.5		$ 116

Debt (Amended Revolving Credit

Debt (Amended Revolving Credit Agreement) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Aug. 21, 2015	Aug. 20, 2015
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maximum borrowing capacity		$ 600,000,000	$ 500,000,000
Optional additional increase in credit facility		200,000,000
Line of credit outstanding	$ 87,500,000
LIne of credit facility, remaining borrowing availability	482,200,000
Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maximum borrowing capacity		350,000,000
Line of credit outstanding	$ 30,300,000
Standby Letters of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maximum borrowing capacity		100,000,000
Swing loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maximum borrowing capacity		$ 30,000,000
Minimum | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee on unutilized revolving credit facility	0.20%
Maximum | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee on unutilized revolving credit facility	0.25%
Eurodollar Borrowings | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt effective interest rate	1.50%
Line of credit outstanding	$ 70,000,000
Eurodollar Borrowings | Minimum | Revolving Credit Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin above base rate	1.25%
Eurodollar Borrowings | Maximum | Revolving Credit Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin above base rate	1.50%
Alternative Base Rate Borrowings | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt effective interest rate	3.50%
Line of credit outstanding	$ 17,500,000
Alternative Base Rate Borrowings | Revolving Credit Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin above base rate	1.00%
Alternative Base Rate Borrowings | Revolving Credit Facility | Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin above base rate	0.50%
Alternative Base Rate Borrowings | Minimum | Revolving Credit Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt margin in addition to base rate	0.25%
Alternative Base Rate Borrowings | Maximum | Revolving Credit Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt margin in addition to base rate	0.50%

Debt (Term Loan) (Details)

Debt (Term Loan) (Details) - USD ($)	Aug. 21, 2015	Oct. 24, 2015	Jul. 25, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, unamortized discount		$ 35,200,000	$ 0
Term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 1,800,000,000
Debt instrument discount percentage	2.00%
Optional additional increase in credit facility	$ 200,000,000
Debt periodic payment	4,500,000
Debt payment to be paid subsequent to current fiscal year	22,500,000
Debt balloon payment to be paid	1,300,000,000
Debt mandatory prepayment threshold amount	$ 25,000,000
Debt mandatory prepayment period	1 year
Debt instrument, premium as percentage of aggregate principal amount	1.00%
Debt instrument, unamortized discount	$ 36,000,000
Eurodollar Borrowings | Term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt effective interest rate		5.25%
Eurodollar Borrowings | Term loan | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin above base rate		0.75%
Debt margin in addition to base rate		4.50%
Alternative Base Rate Borrowings | Term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, base rate floor	1.75%
Alternative Base Rate Borrowings | Term loan | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin above base rate		1.00%
Debt margin in addition to base rate		3.50%
Alternative Base Rate Borrowings | Term loan | Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin above base rate		0.50%

Debt (Restrictions Under the Re

Debt (Restrictions Under the Revolving Credit Agreement Narrative) (Details) - Revolving Credit Facility	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility financial covenants, minimum fixed charge coverage ratio required	1
Credit facility covenant, percentage of credit limit	10.00%
Reduced Availability Period minimum threshold amount	$ 45,000,000
Reduced Availability Period consecutive threshold	3 days
Credit facility covenant, number of days with availability greater than threshold	30 days
Total available borrowings, percentage for dividends declaration, subject to minimum predetermined availability limit	20.00%

Debt (Maturities of Debt) (Deta

Debt (Maturities of Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 24, 2015	Jul. 25, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2016 (remaining nine months)	$ 9
2,017	54
2,018	90
2,019	90
2,020	90
Subsequent years	1,554.5
Long-term debt	$ 1,887.5	$ 116

Fair Value Measurements (Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 24, 2015	Jul. 25, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 1,806.5	$ 106.5
Debt issuance cost	45.8	9.5
Debt unamortized issue discount and debt issuance costs	74.6
Revolving Credit Facility
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt issuance cost	6.4	9.5
Carrying value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0.7	13.4
Long-term debt	1,806.5	106.5
Carrying value | Revolving Credit Facility
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	81.1	106.5
Carrying value | Term loan
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	1,725.4
Fair Value Measurements | Quoted Prices in Active Markets of Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0.7	13.4
Fair Value Measurements | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	1,822.3	116
Fair Value Measurements | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Revolving Credit Facility
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	87.5	$ 116
Fair Value Measurements | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Term loan
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 1,734.8

Equity (Narrative) (Details)

Equity (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Jul. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Equity [Abstract]
Share repurchase program authorized amount			$ 100,000,000
Share repurchase program additional authorized amount		$ 100,000,000
Purchases of common stock, shares	0
Stock repurchase program remaining authorized repurchase amount	$ 89,900,000

Equity (Summary of Changes in E

Equity (Summary of Changes in Equity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 1,518.1	$ 1,737.7
Common stock issued in connection with the ANN Acquisition (Note 4)	344.9	0
Net (loss) income	(18.1)	53.5
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1.2	(2.4)
Common stock issued and equity grants made pursuant to stock-based compensation plans	15.2	8.3
Balance at end of period	$ 1,861.3	$ 1,797.1

Equity (Net Income per Common S

Equity (Net Income per Common Share) (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic	184.8	162
Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units	0	2.8
Diluted shares	184.8	164.8
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	17.6	8.5

Stock-based Compensation (Narra

Stock-based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested options	$ 31.4
Weighted-average years expected to be recognized over (years)	2 years 5 months 15 days
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 7	$ 2
Total fair value of options vested	$ 12.7	$ 13.3
2010 Stock Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate number of shares that may be issued under Stock Incentive Plan	51,000,000
Shares available for future grants under Stock Incentive Plan	4,300,000
Service-based Restricted Equity Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average years expected to be recognized over (years)	3 years 3 months 18 days
Total unrecognized compensation	$ 23.8
Cash Settled LTIP Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award canceled, shares	1,300,000
Accrued liabilities derecognized	$ 1.7

Stock-based Compensation (Summa

Stock-based Compensation (Summary of Total Compensation Expense and Associated Income Tax Benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Compensation expense	$ 4.8	$ 6.8
Income tax benefit	$ (1.8)	$ (2.6)

Stock based Compensation (Weigh

Stock based Compensation (Weighted-Average Assumptions used to Estimate Fair Value of Stock Options Granted) (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Expected term (years)	3 years	4 years
Expected volatility	35.10%	38.90%
Risk-free interest rate	1.50%	1.80%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$ 4.25	$ 4.99

Stock-based Compensation (Sum62

Stock-based Compensation (Summary of Stock Option Activity under all Plans) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014	Jul. 25, 2015
Number of Shares
Options outstanding – July 25, 2015	14,103,900
Granted	2,659,700
Exercised	(1,208,800)
Canceled/Forfeited	(180,600)
Options outstanding – October 24, 2015	15,374,200
Options vested and expected to vest at October 24, 2015	14,899,600
Options exercisable at October 24, 2015	8,830,200
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)
Options outstanding – July 25, 2015	$ 14.13
Granted	13.35
Exercised	6.91
Canceled/Forfeited	16.70
Options outstanding – October 24, 2015	14.53
Options vested and expected to vest at October 24, 2015	15
Options exercisable at October 24, 2015	$ 13.99
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Terms (years)
Options outstanding	5 years 6 months	5 years 1 month 6 days
Options vested and expected to vest at October 24, 2015	5 years 6 months
Options exercisable at October 24, 2015	5 years
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding	$ 10.2		$ 17.3
Options vested and expected to vest at October 24, 2015	10.2
Options exercisable at October 24, 2015	$ 10.2

Stock-based Compensation (Sum63

Stock-based Compensation (Summary of Restricted Equity Awards Activity) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015$ / sharesshares
Service-based Restricted Equity Awards
Number of shares
Nonvested at July 25, 2015 | shares	1,101,900
Granted | shares	1,315,900
Vested | shares	(224,400)
Cancelled/Forfeited | shares	(12,900)
Nonvested at October 24, 2015 | shares	2,180,500
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested at July 25, 2015	$ 16.13
Granted	13.49
Vested	16.47
Cancelled/Forfeited	15.70
Nonvested at October 24, 2015	$ 14.50
Performance-based Restricted Equity Awards
Number of shares
Nonvested at July 25, 2015 | shares	449,100
Granted | shares	0
Vested | shares	0
Cancelled/Forfeited | shares	(449,100)
Nonvested at October 24, 2015 | shares	0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested at July 25, 2015	$ 17.20
Granted	0
Vested	0
Cancelled/Forfeited	17.20
Nonvested at October 24, 2015	$ 0
Market-based Restricted Equity Awards
Number of shares
Nonvested at July 25, 2015 | shares	184,800
Granted | shares	0
Vested | shares	0
Cancelled/Forfeited | shares	(184,800)
Nonvested at October 24, 2015 | shares	0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested at July 25, 2015	$ 16.84
Granted	0
Vested	0
Cancelled/Forfeited	16.84
Nonvested at October 24, 2015	$ 0

Commitments and Contingencies64

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 16, 2015	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014	Jul. 25, 2015
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Deferred income tax benefit		$ (6.1)	$ 12.6
Accrued severance payment				$ 9
Period prior to shipment date to cancel commitments		30 days
Sales discounts percent		40.00%
Litigation settlement amount				50
Litigation reserve		$ 50		50
Deferred Compensation, Excluding Share-based Payments and Retirement Benefits
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Accrued deferred compensation		$ 35
Deferred income tax benefit				$ 13
Subsequent Event
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Payments for legal settlements	$ 50
Minimum
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Period prior to shipment date to cancel commitments (in days)		5 months
Maximum
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Period prior to shipment date to cancel commitments (in days)		7 months

Commitments and Contingencies65

Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule of Future Minimum Rentals for Operating Leases) (Details) $ in Millions	Oct. 24, 2015USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2016 (remaining nine months)	$ 458.9
2,017	542.3
2,018	457.3
2,019	377.3
2,020	319.8
Subsequent years	813.7
Total future minimum rentals	$ 2,969.3

Segment Information (Narrative)

Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	6

Segment Information (Net Sales

Segment Information (Net Sales and Operating Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014	Jul. 25, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 1,672	$ 1,194.2	$ 7,300
Total operating (loss) income	(12)	66.1
Total depreciation and amortization expense	82.5	50.5
ANN
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Purchase accounting adjustment	110
Operating Segments | ANN
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	501.2	0
Total operating (loss) income	(48.1)	0
Total depreciation and amortization expense	27.7	0
Operating Segments | Justice
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	305.4	357
Total operating (loss) income	40.2	40.8
Total depreciation and amortization expense	17	14.8
Operating Segments | Lane Bryant
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	256.2	245.7
Total operating (loss) income	(1.4)	(8.6)
Total depreciation and amortization expense	10.5	11.6
Operating Segments | Maurices
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	282.7	251.9
Total operating (loss) income	39.7	26.9
Total depreciation and amortization expense	11.6	10.6
Operating Segments | Dressbarn
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	247.4	259.6
Total operating (loss) income	(4.7)	8.1
Total depreciation and amortization expense	13.4	11.8
Operating Segments | Catherines
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	79.1	80
Total operating (loss) income	4.8	7.9
Total depreciation and amortization expense	2.3	1.7
Unallocated acquisition and integration expenses
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating (loss) income	$ 42.5	$ 9

Additional Financial Informat68

Additional Financial Information (Cash Interest and Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest	$ 0.8	$ 1.3
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 2	$ 6

Additional Financial Informat69

Additional Financial Information (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Aug. 21, 2015	Oct. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Common stock issued related to acquisition, value		$ 344.9	$ 0
Accrued purchases of fixed assets		$ 37.5	$ 46.3
ANN
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Common stock issued related to acquisition, shares	31.2
Common stock issued related to acquisition, value	$ 345