The Sakura Bank, Limited New York Branch 101 Park Avenue New York, New York 10178 Tel: (212) 909-4600 Fax: (212) 909-4599 January 23, 2001 Mr. Edward L. Larsen Senior Vice President THE TALBOTS, INC. 175 Beal Street Hingham, MA 02043 Re: Revolving...

                            The Sakura Bank, Limited
                                 New York Branch
                                 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
                            Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
                     Tel: (000) 000-0000 Fax: (000) 000-0000



January 23, 2001


Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Senior Vice President
THE TALBOTS, INC.
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX  00000



Re:      Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of January 25, 1994, and as amended
         on November 21, 1995 and on April 18, 1996, among The Talbots,  Inc. as
         borrower, and The Sakura Bank, Limited, (The "Agreement")



         Pursuant to Section 14 (j), we hereby  inform you that we extended  the
Revolving  Credit Facility (as defined in the  Agreement),  which will expire on
January 28, 2002 so that it would expire on January 28, 2003.


                                       Very Truly yours,


                                       The Sakura Bank, Limited
                                       New York Branch



                                       XXXXXXXX XXXXX
                                       -------------------------------
                                       Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
                                       Senior Vice President


cc:      Mr. Katsuhiko Natori
         Vice President & Treasurer
         Jusco (U.S.A.), Inc.