Jones Apparel Group gives itself a new name

Nine West recently launched a promotion featuring singer Joss Stone.

Jones Apparel Group said today that it is changing its name to The Jones Group Inc. The change takes effect at the end of October.

The company says that while apparel represents the firm’s roots, it now manages brands in six other categories, including footwear, jewelry and handbags, and that the new name reflects the company’s evolution.

“This new name embraces Jones’ heritage while signaling our vision for the future,” says Wesley Card, CEO of the Jones Group.

The name change does not alter the firm’s existing corporate structure, including Jones Retail Corp., No. 219 on Internet Retailer’s Top 500 Guide. Jones Retail Corp. includes the e-commerce operations for the manufacturer’s NineWest.com, Bandolino.com and JonesNewYork.com brands, among others. Jones Retail Corp. recorded $51.5 million in sales in 2009.