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8-K - FORM 8-K Q3 2010 EARNINGS RELEASE - ARO Liquidation, Inc.form8-k120110.htm
 




Exhibit 99.1

 

AÉROPOSTALE REPORTS RECORD THIRD QUARTER 2010 AND NOVEMBER SALES RESULTS


New York, New York, December 1, 2010 -- Aéropostale, Inc. (NYSE: ARO), a mall-based specialty retailer of active and casual apparel for young women and men, today reported results for the third quarter ended October 30, 2010 and total net sales for the four-week period ended November 27, 2010.

Third Quarter Results
Diluted net earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 were $0.63 per diluted share, which includes a previously disclosed after-tax charge of approximately $3.9 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, resulting from the related third quarter retirement plan payment to its Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer.  The Company reported net earnings of $0.61 per diluted share in the third quarter last year.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2010, total net sales increased 6% to $602.8 million, from $567.8 million in the year ago period. Same store sales for the third quarter were essentially flat, compared to a same store sales increase of 10% last year.  Total net sales for the Company’s e-commerce business for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 increased 17% to $38.3 million, from $32.6 million in third quarter last year.

Thomas P. Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are very pleased to deliver third quarter earnings at the high-end of our initial guidance. Our ability to navigate effectively through the challenging and promotional environment truly underscores the power and flexibility of our promotional specialty store model.”

November Sales Results
Total net sales for the four-week period ended November 27, 2010 increased 7% to $243.8 million, from $228.0 million for the four-week period ended November 28, 2009. The Company’s same store sales decreased 1% for the month, compared to a same store sales increase of 7% in the year ago period.

The Company stated that it experienced a mid-single digit same store sales increase on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day. The Company also stated, however, that sales trends decelerated significantly for the remainder of the Thanksgiving Day weekend.

Fourth Quarter Guidance
The Company announced its earnings guidance for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.  The Company expects earnings in the range of $0.94 to $0.96 per diluted share for the fourth quarter.  The Company achieved diluted earnings per share of $0.99 in the fourth quarter last year.

Store Growth and Capital Spending for Fiscal 2011
For fiscal 2011 the Company plans to invest approximately $70.0 million to open approximately 30 Aéropostale stores, approximately 20 P.S. from Aéropostale stores, approximately 50 store remodels, in addition to certain information technology investments. This compares to capital expenditures of approximately $96.0 million in fiscal 2010.

Discontinuation of Monthly Sales Reporting
Beginning in Fiscal 2011, the Company will discontinue monthly sales reporting. Sales and earnings will be reported in conjunction with the quarterly earnings announcement.

Conference Call Information
The Company will be holding a conference call today at 4:15 P.M EDT to review its third quarter results. The broadcast will be available through the ‘Investor Relations’ link at www.aeropostale.com and www.fulldisclosure.com.  To listen to the broadcast your computer must have Windows Media Player installed. If you do not have Windows Media Player go to the latter site prior to the call, where you can download the software for free.

Aéropostale, 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 Aéropostale® stores and 7 to 12 year-old kids through its P.S. from Aéropostale™ stores. The Company provides customers with a focused selection of high-quality, active-oriented, fashion and fashion basic merchandise at compelling values. Aéropostale® maintains control over its proprietary brands by designing, sourcing, marketing and selling all of its own merchandise. Aéropostale® products can only be purchased in its Aéropostale stores and online at www.aeropostale.com. P.S. from Aéropostale™ products can be purchased in P.S. from Aéropostale™ stores and online at www.ps4u.com. The Company currently operates 908 Aéropostale stores in 49 states and Puerto Rico, 59 Aéropostale stores in Canada and 47 P.S. from Aéropostale stores in 13 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



 
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EXHIBIT A
 



AÉROPOSTALE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
(in thousands)
 

   
October 30,
2010
   
January 30,
2010
   
October 31,
2009
 
                   
ASSETS
                 
Current Assets:
                 
  Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 239,457     $ 346,976     $ 285,627  
  Merchandise inventory
    239,391       132,915       221,516  
  Other current assets
    68,098       50,126       43,236  
     Total current assets
    546,946       530,017       550,379  
                         
Fixtures, equipment and improvements, net
    293,409       251,558       262,331  
                         
Other assets
    7,009       10,734       16,128  
                         
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 847,364     $ 792,309     $ 828,838  
                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                       
Current Liabilities:
                       
  Accounts payable
  $ 142,572     $ 90,850     $ 144,564  
  Accrued expenses
    90,537       150,990       122,052  
     Total current liabilities
    233,109       241,840       266,616  
                         
Other non-current liabilities
    117,637       115,980       113,773  
                         
Stockholders’ equity
    496,618       434,489       448,449  
                         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 847,364     $ 792,309     $ 828,838  


 

 
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EXHIBIT B

AÉROPOSTALE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
SELECTED STORE DATA
 
 
(in thousands, except per share and store data)

   
13 weeks ended
 
   
October 30, 2010
   
October 31, 2009
 
         
% of sales
         
% of sales
 
                         
Net sales                                                                
  $ 602,756       100.0 %   $ 567,838       100.0 %
                                 
Cost of sales (including certain buying, occupancy and warehousing expenses)
    382,169       63.4       344,921       60.7  
                                 
Gross profit                                                                
    220,587       36.6       222,917       39.3  
                                 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    124,285       20.6       117,236       20.6  
                                 
Income from operations                                                                
    96,302       16.0       105,681       18.7  
                                 
Interest (expense) income                                                                
    (10 )     0.0       27       0.0  
                                 
Income before income taxes                                                                
    96,292       16.0       105,708       18.7  
                                 
Income taxes                                                                
    37,757       6.3       43,079       7.6  
                                 
Net income                                                                
  $ 58,535       9.7 %   $ 62,629       11.1 %
                                 
Basic earnings per share                                                                
  $ 0.64             $ 0.62          
                                 
Diluted earnings per share                                                                
  $ 0.63             $ 0.61          
                                 
Weighted average basic shares                                                                
    91,954               100,322          
                                 
Weighted average diluted shares                                                                
    92,916               101,987          
                                 
STORE DATA:
                               
                                 
Comparable store sales increase                                                                
    0 %             10 %        
                                 
Stores open at end of period                                                                
    1,002               945          
                                 
Total square footage at end of period                                                                
    3,635,623               3,398,307          
                                 
Average square footage during period                                                                
    3,596,645               3,380,722          


 

 
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EXHIBIT C

AÉROPOSTALE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
SELECTED STORE DATA
 
 
(in thousands, except per share and store data)

   
39 weeks ended
 
   
October 30, 2010
   
October 31, 2009
 
         
% of sales
         
% of sales
 
                         
Net sales                                                                
  $ 1,561,103       100.0 %   $ 1,428,882       100.0 %
                                 
Cost of sales (including certain buying, occupancy and warehousing expenses)
    973,067       62.3       892,383       62.5  
                                 
Gross profit                                                                
    588,036       37.7       536,499       37.5  
                                 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    345,115       22.1       312,964       21.9  
                                 
Income from operations                                                                
    242,921       15.6       223,535       15.6  
                                 
Interest (expense) income                                                                
    (50 )     0.0       153       0.0  
                                 
Income before income taxes                                                                
    242,871       15.6       223,688       15.6  
                                 
Income taxes                                                                
    95,352       6.1       90,795       6.4  
                                 
Net income                                                                
  $ 147,519       9.5 %   $ 132,893       9.2 %
                                 
Basic earnings per share                                                                
  $ 1.58             $ 1.32          
                                 
Diluted earnings per share                                                                
  $ 1.57             $ 1.30          
                                 
Weighted average basic shares                                                                
    93,113               100,683          
                                 
Weighted average diluted shares                                                                
    94,150               102,039          
                                 
STORE DATA:
                               
                                 
Comparable store sales increase                                                                
    3 %             11 %        
                                 
Average square footage during period                                                                
    3,520,770               3,333,693          




 
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