Aeropostale Reports July Sales Results.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 2002

Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE: ARO) (www.aeropostale.com), a mall based specialty retailer, today announced that total net sales for the four-week period ended August 3, 2002 increased 34.8% to $31.1 million, compared to $23.0 million for the four-weeks ended August 4, 2001.

The company's comparable store sales for July increased 4.3%.

For the Quarter, ended August 3, 2002, total sales have increased 41.4% to $90.1 million, compared to $63.8 million in the year-ago quarter. Second quarter comparable store sales increased 11.2%. Fiscal year to date, total sales have increased 45.6% to $175.3 million, compared to $120.4 million in the year-ago period. Year to date comparable store sales have increased 16.4%.

Julian Geiger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, "We are pleased to be able to report comparable store sales results for July that are in line with our previous guidance, particularly given the difficult retail environment. Our sales mix during the month was weighted heavily toward fall items compared to last year. This has positive implications for our merchandise margins, as well as our back to school season."

The company also stated that it is very comfortable that it will meet or exceed the current First Call consensus earnings per share estimate for the second quarter.

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

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. As of August 7, 2002, the company operated 335 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.