NEW YORK, Apr 1, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Aeropostale Inc. (NYSE:ARO), a mall-based specialty retailer of active and casual apparel for young women and men, announced a sweepstakes offering a grand prize of a $10,000 Scholarship toward tuition to any accredited College or University in the United States.

This grand prize will be awarded to one matriculating student beginning the Fall 2003 or the Spring 2004 semester or quarter. Other prizes include a $500 Aeropostale gift card or t-shirt.

The sweepstakes will run through April 30, 2003. Eligible entrants can register online at www.aeropostale.com. All entrants will receive a 30% off discount coupon redeemable at any Aeropostale store. The sweepstakes is a component of Aeropostale's collegiate marketing initiatives, designed to promote brand awareness while providing academic scholarship opportunities in conjunction with several college conferences across the country.

Julian R. Geiger, Chairman and CEO of Aeropostale, commented, "We are pleased with the partnerships we have with many of the NCAA conferences and universities. These arrangements help create educational opportunities for students while reinforcing the Aeropostale brand on campus. The College Scholarship Sweepstakes promotion exemplifies Aeropostale's commitment to it's core customer and their academic pursuits."

About Aeropostale, Inc.

Aeropostale, Inc. is a mall-based specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories that targets both young women and young men aged 11 to 20. The company provides customers with a selection of high-quality, active-oriented, fashion basic merchandise in a high-energy store environment. The company maintains complete control over the proprietary brand by designing and sourcing all of its own merchandise. Aeropostale products can be purchased only in its stores, which sell Aeropostale merchandise exclusively.

The first Aeropostale store was opened in 1987. The company operates 371 stores in 36 states.

Safe Harbor

Special Note: Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the company's strategic direction, prospects and future results. Certain factors, including factors outside of our control, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the company's ability to implement its growth strategy successfully, changes in consumer fashion preferences, economic and other conditions in the markets in which we operate, competition, seasonality and the other risks discussed in the company's prospectus dated May 16, 2002 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated in this release by reference.

Aeropostale
Michael J. Cunningham, 973/872-5677, 888/363-2825

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