For Information, Contact:
Company Contact:

Jeff Unger, Investor Relations
(561) 514-0115

Andrew Bard, Weber Shandwick
(212) 445-8368


Casual Male Retail Group, Inc. Agrees to Acquire Rochester Big and Tall


CANTON, MA. and  SAN FRANCISCO, CA. August 19, 2004 -- Casual Male
Retail Group, Inc. (NASDAQ/NMS: "CMRG" ), retail brand operator of
Casual Male Big & Tall, the exclusive retailer of George Foreman's
clothing collection, and Rochester Big and Tall Clothing, Inc.
("Rochester"), the worldwide fashion leader for the discriminating big
and tall man, today announced that Casual Male has signed an asset
purchase agreement, subject to buyer's due diligence and other normal
closing conditions, to acquire privately held Rochester.  The purchase
price is $15 million in cash and the assumption of bank and
subordinated debt of approximately $5 million, in addition to the
assumption of identified operating liabilities such as accounts payable
and accrued liabilities.  There is a potential payment over a three-
year period of an additional $4 million, which is subject to an earn-
out provision.  Assuming satisfaction of all closing conditions, the
acquisition is targeted to close by October 31, 2004.

Seymour Holtzman, Chairman of Casual Male Retail Group, Inc. said, "The
acquisition of Rochester provides an incredible opportunity to expand
our business into the higher end of the big and tall market and
increase our market share in this highly fragmented industry.  This is
another step in our plan to transform Casual Male into a company of
global significance."

"We believe the acquisition will be accretive to Casual Male's 2004
earnings," said David Levin, CEO and President of Casual Male.  Mr.
Levin further stated, "Rochester is the premier big and tall operator
specializing in suits and sportswear with 21 locations in major cities
in the United States, one in London, England, and a growing catalog and
e-commerce business. By capitalizing on the significant synergies in
merchandising, marketing and direct to consumer business, we expect
there to be significant expansion opportunities for Rochester in the
United States and international markets."

Rochester Big and Tall Clothing was founded in 1906 in San Francisco
and has been providing quality apparel and accessories for the hard-to-
fit discriminating man. Robert L. Sockolov, President and Chief
Executive Officer of the family owned business, will join the Board of
Directors of Casual Male at the close of the transaction. Mr. Sockolov
said,  "Casual Male provides the perfect vehicle to grow our family
business into a much larger enterprise.  The existing executive
management team of myself, Bill Sockolov, Steve Sockolov and John
Soares will be joining forces with Casual Male to realize our goal as
the worldwide fashion leader for the big and tall man."

Rochester had unaudited annual sales for the year ended June 30, 2004
of $65 million and an operating income (which includes depreciation of
approximately $1 million) in the $2 to $2.5 million range.  This
acquisition advances Casual Male's goal of increasing its overall
market share with the addition of complementary businesses. The
Rochester customer is a sophisticated consumer who shops name brands
such as Versace, Ermenegildo Zegna, Burberry and Polo Ralph Lauren,
whereas the Casual Male customer shops primarily for moderately priced
casual clothing.

Casual Male will discuss the Rochester acquisition and its second
quarter earnings on Thursday, August 19, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. EDT.  To
listen to the web cast, go to www.casualmale.com/investor and click on
the second quarter earnings icon.

CMRG, the largest retailer of big and tall men's apparel, operates 489
Casual Male Big & Tall stores, the Casual Male e-commerce site, Casual
Male catalog business, and 48 Levi's(r) Outlet by Designs and Dockers(r)
Outlet by Designs stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
The Company is headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts and its common
stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "CMRG."

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements about the
timing of the acquisition and the accretive nature of the acquisition
to Casual Male.  The discussion of forward-looking information requires
management of the Company to make certain estimates and assumptions
regarding the Company's strategic direction and the effect of such
plans on the Company's financial results. The Company's actual results
and the implementation of its plans and operations may differ
materially from forward-looking statements made by the Company in this
press release due to numerous factors, including, without limitation,
the ability to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the
acquisition, the operational integration associated with the
acquisition and other risks generally associated with such
transactions. Furthermore, the Company encourages readers to refer to
its prior filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including, without limitation, its Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
April 14, 2004, that set forth certain risks and uncertainties that may
have an impact on future results and direction of the Company.