(Reuters) - Charming Shoppes Inc (CHRS.O) said James Fogarty stepped down as the women's apparel retailer's chief executive and director.

The company, which specialises in plus-sized women's apparel, said its executive vice president Anthony Romano has been promoted as chief operating officer to oversee daily operations, while the board searches for a new CEO.

The company has appointed executive search firm Spencer Stuart to search for a new CEO.

Charming Shoppes also said Michael Blitzer, a principal of corporate advisory firm Portsmouth Partners, will join the board.

The Bensalem, Pennsylvania-based retailer's shares, which have risen threefold since Fogarty joined as CEO in April 2009, were down 10 percent in after-market trade. They closed at $4.35 Wednesday on Nasdaq.

(Reporting by Shobhana Chadha in Bangalore; Editing by Don Sebastian)