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Aeropostale Reports Record Second Quarter 2009 Results
Thursday, August 20, 2009 4:05 PM


Second Quarter Net Sales Increase 20%; Same Store Sales Increase 12%

Earnings Per Share Growth of 84% to $0.57 Per Diluted Share

Provides Third Quarter Guidance

NEW YORK, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE: ARO), a mall-based specialty retailer of casual apparel for young women and men, today reported results for the second quarter ended August 1, 2009.

Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 was $38.6 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, compared to net income of $21.1 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Results for the second quarter include pre-tax charges of approximately $0.6 million related to the closing of the Company's Jimmy'Z concept.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2009, total net sales increased 20% to $453.0 million, from $377.1 million in the year ago period. Same store sales for the second quarter increased 12%, compared to a same store sales increase of 11% last year. Year to date, total net sales have increased 21% to $861.0 million, from $713.5 million in the year ago period. Year to date, same store sales have increased 11%, compared to a same store sales increase of 10% last year.

Total net revenue from the Company's e-commerce business for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 increased 49% to $15.8 million, from $10.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

Julian R. Geiger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are extremely pleased with our results for the second quarter. We continue to create strong brand momentum by striking the right balance between fashion and value. Our initial reads on our back to school merchandise have been positive and we believe that we are well positioned as we head into the second half of the year. We remain focused on executing our strategic initiatives and investing in our business to support long-term growth."

Third Quarter Guidance:

The Company announced its earnings guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The Company believes it will achieve earnings in the range $0.76 to $0.78 per diluted share for the third quarter, compared to earnings of $0.63 per share in the third quarter last year.

Conference Call Information

The Company will be holding a conference call today at 4:15 P.M. EDT to review its second quarter results. The broadcast will be available through the 'Investor Relations' link at www.aeropostale.com and www.fulldisclosure.com. To listen to the broadcast your computer must have Windows Media Player installed. If you do not have Windows Media Player go to the latter site prior to the call, where you can download the software for free.

About Aeropostale, Inc.

Aeropostale, Inc. is a mall-based, specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally targeting 14 to 17 year-old young women and men through its Aeropostale(R) stores and 7 to 12 year-old kids through its P.S. from Aeropostale(TM) stores. The Company provides customers with a focused selection of high-quality, active-oriented, fashion and fashion basic merchandise at compelling values. Aeropostale(R) maintains control over its proprietary brands by designing, sourcing, marketing and selling all of its own merchandise. Aeropostale(R) products can only be purchased in its Aeropostale stores and online at www.aeropostale.com. P.S. from Aeropostale(TM) products can be purchased in P.S. from Aeropostale(TM) stores and online at www.ps4u.com. The Company currently operates 887 Aeropostale stores in 49 states and Puerto Rico, 37 Aeropostale stores in Canada and 7 P.S. from Aeropostale stores in 3 states.

SPECIAL NOTE: THIS PRESS RELEASE AND ORAL STATEMENTS MADE FROM TIME TO TIME BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMPANY CONTAIN CERTAIN "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" CONCERNING EXPECTATIONS FOR SALES, STORE OPENINGS, GROSS MARGINS, EXPENSES, STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND EARNINGS. ACTUAL RESULTS MIGHT DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. AMONG THE FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO MATERIALLY DIFFER INCLUDE, CHANGES IN THE COMPETITIVE MARKETPLACE, INCLUDING THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW PRODUCTS OR PRICING CHANGES BY OUR COMPETITORS, CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY AND OTHER EVENTS LEADING TO A REDUCTION IN DISCRETIONARY CONSUMER SPENDING; SEASONALITY; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND OTHER CONDITIONS AND THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE IMPACT OF CHANGES IN IMPORT RESTRICTIONS; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH UNCERTAINTY RELATING TO THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT ITS GROWTH STRATEGIES, AS WELL AS THE OTHER RISK FACTORS SET FORTH IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K AND QUARTERLY REPORTS ON FORM 10-Q, FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE OR REVISE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT SUBSEQUENT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES.

    EXHIBIT A

                                 AEROPOSTALE, INC.
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (in thousands)

                                               August 1, January 31, August 2,
                                                  2009      2009       2008
                                               --------  ----------  --------
    ASSETS
    Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                 $245,454   $228,530   $70,792
      Merchandise inventory                      200,993    126,360   183,710
      Other current assets                        44,366     38,991    43,614
                                                  ------     ------    ------
         Total current assets                    490,813    393,881   298,116
    Fixtures, equipment and improvements, net    256,978    248,999   249,826
    Other assets                                  14,886     15,039    18,377
                                                  ------     ------    ------
    TOTAL ASSETS                                $762,677   $657,919  $566,319
                                                ========   ========  ========
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current Liabilities:
      Accounts payable                          $125,009    $77,247  $125,271
      Accrued expenses                            82,020     98,190    69,838
                                                  ------     ------    ------
         Total current liabilities               207,029    175,437   195,109
    Other non-current liabilities                126,072    127,422   126,696
    Stockholders' equity                         429,576    355,060   244,514
                                                 -------    -------   -------
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  $762,677   $657,919  $566,319
                                                ========   ========  ========

    EXHIBIT B

                                AEROPOSTALE, INC.
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
                               SELECTED STORE DATA
                  (in thousands, except per share and store data)

                                                  13 weeks ended
                                                  --------------
                                         August 1, 2009    August 2, 2008
                                        ---------------    ---------------
                                                  % of               % of
                                                  sales              sales
                                                  -----              -----
    Net sales                           $453,020  100.0%   $377,145  100.0%
    Cost of sales (including certain
     buying, occupancy and warehousing
     expenses)                           287,328   63.4     251,209   66.6
                                         -------   ----     -------   ----
    Gross profit                         165,692   36.6     125,936   33.4
    Selling, general and administrative
     expenses                            101,282   22.4      90,654   24.0
                                         -------   ----      ------   ----
    Income from operations                64,410   14.2      35,282    9.4
    Interest income, net                     171    0.0          80    0.0
                                             ---    ---          --    ---
    Income before income taxes            64,581   14.2      35,362    9.4
    Income taxes                          25,992    5.7      14,309    3.8
                                          ------    ---      ------    ---
    Net income                           $38,589    8.5%    $21,053    5.6%
                                         =======   ====     =======    ===
    Basic earnings per share               $0.57              $0.31
                                           =====              =====
    Diluted earnings per share             $0.57              $0.31
                                           =====              =====
    Weighted average basic shares         67,386             66,905
    Weighted average diluted shares       68,297             67,716
    STORE DATA:
    Comparable store sales increase           12%                11%
    Stores open at end of period             927                879
    Total square footage at end of
     period                            3,337,845          3,139,274
    Average square footage during
     period                            3,331,902          3,086,083

    EXHIBIT C

                                AEROPOSTALE, INC.
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
                                SELECTED STORE DATA
                   (in thousands, except per share and store data)
                                                   26 weeks ended
                                                   --------------
                                         August 1, 2009    August 2, 2008
                                         --------------    --------------
                                                   % of              % of
                                                   sales             sales
                                                   -----             -----
                                         $861,044  100.0%  $713,477  100.0%
    Net sales
    Cost of sales (including certain
     buying, occupancy and warehousing
     expenses)                            547,462   63.6    476,263   66.8
                                          -------   ----    -------   ----
    Gross profit                          313,582   36.4    237,214   33.2
    Selling, general and administrative
     expenses                             195,728   22.7    172,744   24.2
                                          -------   ----    -------   ----
    Income from operations                117,854   13.7     64,470    9.0
    Interest income, net                      126    0.0        320    0.0
                                              ---    ---        ---    ---
    Income before income taxes            117,980   13.7     64,790    9.0
    Income taxes                           47,716    5.5     26,239    3.6
                                           ------    ---     ------    ---
    Net income                            $70,264    8.2%   $38,551    5.4%
                                          =======    ===    =======    ===
    Basic earnings per share                $1.04             $0.58
                                            =====             =====
    Diluted earnings per share              $1.03             $0.57
                                            =====             =====
    Weighted average basic shares          67,242            66,827
    Weighted average diluted shares        68,043            67,511
    STORE DATA:
    Comparable store sales increase            11%               10%
    Average square footage during
     period                             3,314,005         3,027,628


    Company Contact:
    Kenneth Ohashi/VP, Investor & Media Relations
    (646) 452-1876 or kohashi@aeropostale.com
    Media Contact:
    Leigh Parrish/Diane Zappas, FD
    (212) 850-5600

SOURCE Aeropostale, Inc.

(Source: PR Newswire )


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