Aeropostale and P.S. from Aeropostale to Expand into Chile

NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Aeropostale, Inc. ARO, a mall-based specialty retailer of casual apparel for young women and men, today announced plans to launch the Aeropostale and P.S. from Aeropostale brands in Chile through a licensing agreement with Sociedad Comercial Grupo Yes S.p.A. ("Grupo Yes").

Julian R. Geiger, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are excited to bring the Aeropostale and P.S. from Aeropostale brands to Chile as we continue to expand our international presence.  Chile represents a major step in extending our business into key Latin American markets.  Chile's stable economy, and its consumers' strong appetite for the Aeropostale brand and our fashions, makes Chile an attractive retail market.  We are pleased to be working closely with such an established partner as Grupo Yes as we execute our expansion plans for Aeropostale and P.S. from Aeropostale." 

Aeropostale's expansion plans in Chile include the opening of standalone stores, department stores and multi-brand stores in select locations across Chile beginning in Spring 2015.  The Company's first Aeropostale store is scheduled to open in Parque Arauco in Santiago in October 2014.  P.S. from Aeropostale stores are expected to open beginning in early 2015.

About Aeropostale, Inc.

Aeropostale®, Inc. is a primarily 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 4 to 12 year-old kids through its P.S. from Aeropostale® stores. The Company provides customers with a focused selection of high quality fashion and fashion basics at compelling values in an innovative and exciting store environment. 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 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 and www.aeropostale.com. The Company currently operates 845 Aeropostale® stores in 50 states and Puerto Rico, 74 Aeropostale stores in Canada and 145 P.S. from Aeropostale® stores in 31 states and Puerto Rico. In addition, pursuant to various licensing agreements, our licensees currently operate 166 Aeropostale® and P.S. from Aeropostale locations in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.  Since November 2012, Aeropostale, Inc. has operated GoJane.com, Inc., an online women's fashion footwear and apparel retailer.

About Grupo Yes S.p.A.

Grupo Yes S.p.A. (www.grupoyes.com.pe) is a company with business in Chile and Peru. The company has more than 30 years of experience as leading in the management of prestigious brands. We are specialized in mono brand retail stores and concession management within department stores. Our portfolio consists of distinguished clothing & shoes brands such as Hugo Boss, Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange, Adolfo Dominguez, Trial, Arrow, Esprit, October, Toms and soon we will open Aeropostale and P.S. stores in Chile. The Company has more than 40 direct retail stores and almost 80 shop-in-shop locations across the most important deportment stores in both countries. Grupo Yes S.p.A. belongs to the Grupo Los Robles's holding that also works in difference industries, like Gastronomy, Real State and Agriculture.

SPECIAL NOTE: THIS PRESS RELEASE AND ORAL STATEMENTS MADE FROM TIME TO TIME BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMPANY CONTAIN CERTAIN "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" MADE IN RELIANCE UPON THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED, CONCERNING EXPECTATIONS FOR SALES, STORE OPENINGS, GROSS MARGINS, EXPENSES, COST SAVINGS, 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 THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT AND REALIZE THE ANTICIPATED BENEFITS OF THE  COMPANY'S STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND COST REDUCTION PROGRAM, 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.

Company Contact: 
Susan Lewis/Vice President, Investor &
Media Relations (646) 364-0215 or
slewis@aeropostale.com  

Media Contact: 
Leigh Parrish, FTI Consulting
(212) 850-5600

SOURCE Aeropostale, Inc.