Aeropostale Reports Results for Second Quarter of Fiscal 2015

NEW YORK, Aug. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — 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 2015, and provided guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2015.

Second Quarter PerformanceFor the second quarter of fiscal 2015, net sales decreased 17% to $326.9 million, from $396.2 million in the year ago period. Comparable sales, including the e-commerce channel, for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 decreased 8%, compared to a decrease of 13% for the corresponding 13-week period ended August 2, 2014.

The Company reported a net loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 of $43.7 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, which included:

— an after-tax charge of approximately $2.9 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, resulting from store closing costs; — and an after-tax charge of $2.4 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, due to consulting fees; offset by — an after-tax benefit of $6.4 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, due to reversals of previously established exit cost obligation liabilities resulting from subsequent lease terminations.

Excluding the aforementioned charges, the Company reported an adjusted net loss of $44.8 million, or $0.56 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 (see Exhibit D).

The Company reported an operating loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 of $37.4 million or, excluding the aforementioned charges, an adjusted operating loss of $38.6 million.

Julian R. Geiger, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The second quarter was an important transitional time for us in which we set the stage for the second half of the year. We attained very high levels of merchandise currency, we delivered our new back to school merchandise, and we refocused our marketing efforts around key items, all while attaining operating results consistent with the better end of our guidance.”

Cash and Investments

The Company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $86.5 million and $142.7 million in long-term debt.

The Company closed 23 Aeropostale stores during the quarter. For the second quarter, the Company invested $6.0 million in planned capital expenditures.

On August 18, 2015, the Company closed on an amended credit facility. This $215 million credit facility now expires in February 2019 at the earliest, aligns with the Company’s current asset base and increases overall availability as compared to the previous credit facility.

Third Quarter GuidanceFor the third quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company expects operating losses in the range of $19.0 to $25.0 million, which translates to a net loss in the range of $0.30 to $0.38 per diluted share. The effective tax rate for the third quarter is projected to be approximately 4.0%. This outlook excludes the impact of any store impairments or accelerated store closing costs which may be identified, and consulting fees.

Mr. Geiger continued, “We are encouraged by our progress during the initial part of the Back-To-School season, especially the significant improvement in our girls business. Our third quarter outlook reflects a continuation of the momentum we have generated in the quarter-to-date period. This guidance indicates a significant reduction in operating loss versus last year.”

Use of Non-GAAP MeasuresThe Company believes that the disclosure of adjusted net loss and adjusted loss, which are non-GAAP financial measures, provides investors with useful information to help them better understand the Company’s results (see Exhibit D).

Conference Call InformationThe Company will be holding a conference call today at 4:15 P.M. ET to review its second quarter results. The broadcast will be available through the ‘Investor Relations’ link at www.aeropostale.com or by dialing 877-407-9039 approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time with the passcode “Aeropostale.” A replay will be available approximately one hour after the recording through Thursday, September 3, 2015 and can be accessed by dialing 877-870-5176, using the required passcode 13617667. An archive will also be available at the Aeropostale website for 12 months.

About Aeropostale, Inc.Aeropostale, Inc. is a specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally targeting 14 to 17 year-old young women and men through its Aeropostale stores and website and 4 to 12 year-olds through its P.S. from Aeropostale stores and website. The Company provides customers with a focused selection of high quality fashion and fashion basic merchandise at compelling values in an exciting and customer friendly store environment. Aeropostale maintains control over its proprietary brands by designing, sourcing, marketing and selling all of its own merchandise, other than in licensed stores. Aeropostale products can 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, in certain Aeropostale stores and online at www.ps4u.com and www.aeropostale.com. The Company currently operates 759 Aeropostale(R) stores in 50 states and Puerto Rico, 41 Aeropostale stores in Canada and 26 P.S. from Aeropostale(R) stores in 12 states. In addition, pursuant to various licensing agreements, the Company’s licensees currently operate 286 Aeropostale(R) and P.S. from Aeropostale(R) locations in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Since November 2012, Aeropostale, Inc. has operated GoJane.com, an online women’s fashion footwear and apparel retailer. GoJane products can be purchased online at www.gojane.com.

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 CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES AND IMPORT RESTRICTIONS; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMPANY’S DEBT ARRANGEMENTS; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH UNCERTAINTY RELATING TO THE COMPANY’S ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT ITS TURNAROUND 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: Susan Lewis/VP, Investor & Media Relations (646) 364-0215 or slewis@aeropostale.com

Media Contact: Rachel Rosenblatt, FTI Consulting(212) 850-5697

EXHIBIT A AEROPOSTALE, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) August 1, 2015 January 31, 2015 August 2, 2014 ————– —————- ————– (Unaudited) (Unaudited) ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $86,515 $151,750 $152,274 Merchandise inventory 170,679 130,474 213,016 Other current assets 46,346 67,063 52,967 —— —— —— Total current assets 303,540 349,287 418,257 Fixtures, equipment and improvements, net 118,941 130,109 170,504 Goodwill and intangible assets 22,351 22,728 28,204 Other assets 8,551 10,065 17,817 —– —— —— TOTAL ASSETS $453,383 $512,189 $634,782 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $136,236 $88,289 $137,307 Accrued expenses 81,185 110,560 109,556 Total current liabilities 217,421 198,849 246,863 Long-term debt 142,687 138,540 133,590 Other non-current liabilities 84,421 81,248 101,828 Stockholders’ equity 8,854 93,552 152,501 —– —— ——- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $453,383 $512,189 $634,782

EXHIBIT B AEROPOSTALE, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND SELECTED STORE DATA (In thousands, except per share and store data) (Unaudited) 13 weeks ended ————– August 1, 2015 August 2, 2014 ————– ————– % of sales % of sales ———- ———- Net sales $326,861 100.0% $396,155 100.0% Cost of sales (including certain buying, occupancy and 268,532 82.2% 333,605 84.2% warehousing expenses) (1) Gross profit 58,329 17.8% 62,550 15.8% Selling, general and administrative expenses (2) 101,826 31.2% 121,182 30.6% Restructuring (benefit) charges (3) (6,066) -1.9% 3,019 0.8% —— —- —– — Loss from operations (37,431) (11.5)% (61,651) (15.6)% Interest expense 2,848 0.9% 2,424 0.6% —– — —– — Loss before income taxes (40,279) (12.4)% (64,075) (16.2)% Income tax expense (benefit) (4) 3,380 1.0% (256) (0.1)% —– — —- —– Net loss $(43,659) (13.4)% $(63,819) (16.1)% Basic loss per share $(0.55) $(0.81) Diluted loss per share $(0.55) $(0.81) Weighted average basic shares 79,570 78,753 Weighted average diluted shares 79,570 78,753 STORE DATA: Comparable sales change (including e-commerce channel) (8)% (13)% Stores open at end of period 826 1,072 Total square footage at end of period 3,180,595 4,006,232 Average square footage during period 3,233,657 4,031,075 (1) Cost of sales for the second quarter of 2015 was unfavorably impacted by store closing costs of $2.6 million ($2.9 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share). Cost of sales for the second quarter of 2014 was unfavorably impacted by asset impairment charges of $19.0 million ($18.5 million after tax, or $0.23 per diluted share). (2) Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2015 was unfavorably impacted by real estate consulting fees of $2.3 million ($2.4 million after tax, or $0.03 per diluted share). Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2014 was unfavorably impacted by consulting fees of $3.1 million ($3.0 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share). (3) Restructuring charges for the second quarter of 2015 included the benefit of reversals of previously established exit cost obligation liabilities resulting from subsequent lease terminations of $6.1 million ($6.4 million after tax, or $0.08 per diluted share). Restructuring charges for the second quarter of 2014 included severance and other exit costs of $3.0 million ($2.9 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share). (4) Income tax benefit for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 was unfavorably impacted by the establishment of reserves against net deferred tax assets of $3.4 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share.

EXHIBIT C AEROPOSTALE, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND SELECTED STORE DATA (In thousands, except per share and store data) (Unaudited) 26 weeks ended ————– August 1, 2015 August 2, 2014 ————– ————– % of sales % of sales ———- ———- Net sales $645,504 100.0% $792,013 100.0% Cost of sales (including certain buying, occupancy and 528,052 81.8% 658,966 83.2% warehousing expenses) (1) Gross profit 117,452 18.2% 133,047 16.8% Selling, general and administrative expenses (2) 201,347 31.2% 240,627 30.4% Restructuring (benefit) charges (3) (6,008) -0.9% 37,508 4.7% —— —- —— — Loss from operations (77,887) (12.1)% (145,088) (18.3)% Interest expense 6,235 0.9% 2,773 0.4% —– — —– — Loss before income taxes (84,122) (13.0)% (147,861) (18.7)% Income tax expense (benefit) (4) 4,805 0.8% (7,260) (0.9)% —– — —— —– Net loss $(88,927) (13.8)% $(140,601) (17.8)% Basic loss per share $(1.12) $(1.79) Diluted loss per share $(1.12) $(1.79) Weighted average basic shares 79,423 78,655 Weighted average diluted shares 79,423 78,655 STORE DATA: Comparable sales change (including e-commerce channel) (9)% (13)% Average square footage during period 3,261,443 4,048,609 (1) Cost of sales for the first twenty-six weeks of 2015 was unfavorably impacted by store closing costs of $4.9 million ($5.1 million after tax, or $0.06 per diluted share). Cost of sales for the first twenty-six weeks of 2014 was unfavorably impacted by asset impairment charges of $21.6 million ($21.0 million after tax, or $0.27 per diluted share). (2) Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first twenty-six weeks of 2015 were unfavorably impacted by real estate consulting fees of $2.3 million ($2.4 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share) and favorably impacted by a retirement plan settlement adjustment of $1.1 million ($1.1 million after tax, or $0.01 per diluted share). Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first twenty-six weeks of 2014 was unfavorably impacted by consulting fees of $3.4 million ($3.3 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share). (3) Restructuring charges for the first twenty-six weeks of 2015 included the benefit of reversals of previously established exit cost obligation liabilities resulting from subsequent lease terminations of $6.0 million ($6.4 million after tax, or $0.09 per diluted share). Restructuring charges for the first twenty-six weeks of 2014 included store asset impairment charges of $30.5 million ($29.1 million after tax, or $0.37 per diluted share) and other restructuring charges of $7.0 million ($6.7 million after tax, or $0.09 per diluted share). (4) Income tax benefit for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal 2014 was unfavorably impacted by the establishment of reserves against net deferred tax assets of $3.4 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share.

EXHIBIT D AEROPOSTALE, INC. RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING LOSS, NET LOSS AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) The following table presents a reconciliation of operating loss, net loss and diluted loss per share on a GAAP basis to the non-GAAP adjusted basis discussed in this release. 13 weeks ended ————– August 1, 2015 August 2, 2014 ————– ————– Operating Loss Net Loss Diluted EPS Operating Loss Net Loss Diluted EPS As reported $(37,431) $(43,659) $(0.55) $(61,651) $(63,819) $(0.81) Restructuring charges (benefit) (1) (6,066) (6,428) (0.08) 3,019 2,927 0.04 Store closing costs 2,646 2,864 0.04 – – – Consulting costs 2,283 2,420 0.03 3,101 2,980 0.04 Store asset impairment charges – – – 19,009 18,486 0.23 Establishment of reserves against – – – – 3,440 0.04 net deferred tax assets As adjusted $(38,568) $(44,803) $(0.56) $(36,522) $(35,986) $(0.46) 26 weeks ended ————– August 1, 2015 August 2, 2014 ————– ————– Operating Loss Net Loss Diluted EPS Operating Loss Net Loss Diluted EPS As reported $(77,887) $(88,927) $(1.12) $(145,088) $(140,601) $(1.79) Restructuring charges (benefit) (1) (6,008) (6,368) (0.09) 7,011 6,731 0.09 Store closing costs 4,856 5,147 0.06 – – – Consulting costs 2,283 2,420 0.04 3,387 3,252 0.04 Retirement plan settlement adjustment (1,064) (1,099) (0.01) – – – Store asset impairment charges (2) – – – 52,133 50,047 0.64 Establishment of reserves against – – – – 3,440 0.04 net deferred tax assets As adjusted $(77,820) $(88,827) $(1.12) $(82,557) $(77,131) $(0.98) (1)Net of reversal of restructuring liabilities. (2) Includes $30.5 million ($29.1 million, after tax) recorded in restructuring charges and $21.6 million ($21.0 million, after tax) recorded in cost of sales in the statement of operations for the first twenty-six weeks of 2014.

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Aeropostale, Inc.

Web site: http://www.aeropostale.com/