Aeropostale Reports Record Results for Second Quarter

NEW YORK, Aug. 19 /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 of fiscal 2010, and provided guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2010.

Second Quarter Performance

Diluted net earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 increased 21% to a record $0.46 per share, compared to $0.38 per share in the same period last year.  Net income for the second quarter increased 13% to $43.6 million, compared to net income of $38.6 million last year.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2010, total net sales increased 9% to $494.7 million, from $453.0 million in the year ago period. Same store sales for the second quarter increased 4%, compared to a same store sales increase of 12% last year.  

Co-Chief Executive Officers Mindy C. Meads and Thomas P. Johnson, said, "We are very proud of the dedication and hard work of our entire organization in achieving these results. The consistency of our results underscores the strength and talent of our organization, the power of our brand, and the flexibility of our operating model."

E-commerce

Total net sales from the Company's e-commerce business for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 increased 32% to $20.9 million, from $15.8 million in the year ago period.  

Third Quarter Guidance

For the third quarter of fiscal 2010 the Company expects net earnings in the range of $0.61 to $0.63 per diluted share, which includes a previously disclosed after-tax charge of approximately $3.8 million, or $0.04 per share, resulting from the related third quarter retirement plan payment to its Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer.  This guidance compares to net earnings of $0.61 per share in the third quarter last year.

Co-Chief Executive Officers Mindy C. Meads and Thomas P. Johnson, commented, "Moving into the third quarter, we are clearly operating in a challenging retail climate. We are focused on executing key strategies that will enable us to navigate through the current environment and build upon our strong brand position."

Store Growth and Capital Spending

The company opened 8 Aeropostale and 14 P.S. from Aeropostale stores, and closed 1 Aeropostale store during the quarter. For the second quarter, the company incurred $24.3 million in capital expenditures.

Conference Call Information

The Company will be holding a conference call today at 4:15 PM 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® stores and 7 to 12 year-old kids through its P.S. from Aeropostale® stores. The Company provides customers with a focused selection of high-quality, active-oriented, fashion and fashion basic merchandise at compelling values. Aeropostale® maintains control over its proprietary brands by designing, sourcing, marketing and selling all of its own merchandise. Aeropostale® products can only be purchased in its Aeropostale stores and online at www.aeropostale.com. P.S. from Aeropostale® products can be purchased in P.S. from Aeropostale® stores and online at www.ps4u.com. The Company currently operates 902 Aeropostale stores in 49 states and Puerto Rico, 46 Aeropostale stores in Canada and 37 P.S. from Aeropostale stores in 12 states.

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.

SOURCE Aeropostale, Inc.