Exhibit 99.1
AÉROPOSTALE REPORTS RECORD JUNE SALES RESULTS
Same Stores Sales Increase 12%
Raises Second Quarter Guidance
New York, New York – July 9, 2009 - Aéropostale, Inc. (NYSE: ARO), a mall-based specialty retailer of casual and active apparel for young women and men, today announced that total net sales for the five-week period ended July 4, 2009 increased 20% to $163.2 million, from $136.0 million for the five-week period ended July 5, 2008. The Company’s same store sales increased 12% for the month, compared to a same store sales increase of 12% in the year ago period.
Year to date, total net sales have increased 23% to $704.2 million, from $574.7 million in the year ago period. Year to date, same store sales have increased 12%, compared to a same store sales increase of 10% last year.
The Company noted that the strength of its summer collection, coupled with the successful execution of its pre-planned promotions, led to solid increases in both sales and merchandise margins. Accordingly, both the level and composition of its inventories are well positioned as the Company heads into the peak back to school selling season.
Second Quarter Guidance:
Based on the better than expected sales and margins for the month, the Company now believes it will achieve net earnings in the range $0.45 to $0.47 per diluted share, compared to its previously issued earnings guidance in the range of $0.43 to $0.45 per share. This guidance includes pre-tax charges of approximately $3.0 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, related to the closing of the Jimmy’Z concept.
The Company achieved net earnings of $0.31 per share in the second quarter last year.
To hear the Aéropostale prerecorded June sales message, please dial (866) 644-7738 or (585) 267-8033.
About Aéropostale, Inc.
Aéropostale, 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 Aéropostale® stores and 7 to 12 year-old kids through its P.S. from Aéropostale™ stores. The Company provides customers with a focused selection of high-quality, active-oriented, fashion and fashion basic merchandise at compelling values. Aéropostale® maintains control over its proprietary brands by designing, sourcing, marketing and selling all of its own merchandise. Aéropostale® products can only be purchased in its Aéropostale stores and online at www.aeropostale.com. P.S. from Aéropostale™ products can be purchased in P.S. from Aéropostale™ stores and online at www.ps4u.com. The Company currently operates 885 Aéropostale stores in 49 states and Puerto Rico, 36 Aéropostale stores in Canada and 2 P.S. from Aéropostale stores in 2 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
