NEW YORK, Nov 29, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Aeropostale, 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 four-week period ended November 25, 2006
increased 11.5% to $149.7 million, from $134.3 million for the
four-week period ended November 26, 2005. The company's comparable
store sales increased 1.0% for the month, versus a comparable store
sales increase of 7.3% last year.
Fiscal year to date, total net sales have increased 16.9% to
$1.056 billion, from $903.4 million in the year-ago period. Fiscal
year to date, comparable store sales increased 1.7%, versus a
comparable store sales increase of 0.9% last year.
Julian R. Geiger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, "We
are pleased with our performance for the month, and are particularly
pleased with the significant improvement in our gross margins and
average unit retails. Over the important Friday and Saturday following
Thanksgiving Day, we achieved a mid-single digits comparable store
sales increase on top of the record 30% increase over the same period
last year."
The Company will be holding a conference call today at 11:00 A.M.
EST to review its November sales and third quarter results. The
broadcast will be available through the 'Investor Relations' link at
www.aeropostale.com and at 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. 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 are currently
purchased only in its stores, on-line through its e-commerce website
(www.aeropostale.com) or at organized sales events at college
campuses.
The company currently operates 728 Aeropostale stores in 47 states
and 14 Jimmy'Z stores in 11 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, AMONG OTHERS, 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 CURRENT REPORTS ON FORM 8-K, 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.
Aeropostale, Inc.
Kenneth Ohashi, 646-452-1876
VP, Investor & Media Relations
kohashi@aeropostale.com
