Aeropostale Reports December Sales Results.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2003

Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE: ARO), a mall-based specialty retailer of casual and active apparel to young women and men, today announced that total net sales for the five-week period ended January 4, 2003 increased 29.2% to $117.1 million, compared to $90.6 million for the five weeks ended January 5, 2002.

The Company experienced a December comparable store sales increase of 0.3% versus the year-ago comparable store sales increase of 29.3%.

Julian R. Geiger, Chairman and CEO said, "We are pleased with our holiday sales performance particularly given the challenging retail environment and difficult comparisons from a year ago. Our merchandise margins continue to track within our expectations and we remain comfortable with our previously issued earnings guidance of $0.38 to $0.40 per diluted share for the fourth quarter."

Fiscal year to date, total sales have increased 36.2% to $526.9 million, compared to $386.9 million in the year-ago period. Year to date comparable store sales have increased 6.7%.

To hear the Aeropostale prerecorded December sales message, please dial [phone] or [phone], followed by the conference identification number 199951.

About Aeropostale, Inc.

Aeropostale, Inc. (www.aeropostale.com) 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 currently operates 368 stores in 35 states.

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.