Aeropostale Reports Record September Sales Results; Same Store Sales Increase 19%; Raises Third Quarter Earnings Guidance

Aeropostale Reports Record September Sales Results; Same Store Sales Increase
19%; Raises Third Quarter Earnings Guidance

NEW YORK, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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 five-week period ended
October 3, 2009 increased 28% to $187.3 million, from $146.7 million for the
five-week period ended October 4, 2008. The Company's same store sales
increased 19% for the month, compared to a same store sales increase of 5% in
the year ago period. The Company believes that its results for the month
reflect a positive same store sales impact due to the Labor Day calendar
shift.

Year to date, total net sales have increased 21% to $1.290 billion, from
$1.068 billion in the year ago period. Year to date, same store sales have
increased 12%, compared to a same store sales increase of 10% in the same
period last year.

The Company stated that the continued strength of its merchandise assortment,
coupled with its compelling pre-planned promotions, led to another month of
record sales. The Company also stated that its merchandise margins continued
to improve over last year, and that its inventories remain well controlled and
on plan.

Third Quarter Guidance:
Based on the better than expected results for the month, the Company now
believes it will achieve net earnings in the range $0.84 to $0.85 per diluted
share, compared to its previously issued earnings guidance in the range of
$0.78 to $0.80 per share.

The Company achieved net earnings of $0.63 per share in the third quarter last
year.

To hear the Aeropostale prerecorded September sales message, please dial (866)
644-7738 or (585) 267-8033.

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(TM) 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(TM) products can be purchased in P.S. from Aeropostale(TM) stores
and online at www.ps4u.com. The Company currently operates 891 Aeropostale
stores in 49 states and Puerto Rico, 39 Aeropostale stores in Canada and 9
P.S. from Aeropostale stores in 3 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.

Company Contact:
Kenneth Ohashi/Vice President, Investor & Media Relations
(646) 452-1876 or kohashi@Aéropostale.com

Media Contact:
Leigh Parrish/Diane Zappas, FD
(212) 850-5600

SOURCE Aeropostale, Inc.

Kenneth Ohashi, Vice President, Investor & Media Relations, 646-452-1876,
kohashi@Aeropostale.com; Media, Leigh Parrish or Diane Zappas, both of FD,
+1-212-850-5600