Aeropostale, Inc. Names Mary Jo Pile Chief Store Officer - Director of Stores

Business Wire, May 5, 2005

NEW YORK -- Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE: ARO), a mall-based specialty retailer of casual and active apparel for young women and men, today announced that Mary Jo Pile has joined Aeropostale as Chief Store Officer - Director of Stores. Ms. Pile is succeeding Tom Johnson in the position. Mr. Johnson was previously promoted to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the company.

"We are thrilled to have Mary Jo aboard. Her extensive retail background and powerful leadership capabilities will complement our already talented store line organization," said Julian R. Geiger, Chairman and CEO. "We expect Mary Jo to have a seamless transition into her new role and look forward to her positive contributions to the continued success of Aeropostale."

Ms. Pile brings more than 20 years of retail experience to Aeropostale. Most recently, she held the position of Executive Vice President of Stores for Express/Express Men's, where she led the integration of the Express men's and women's storeline businesses. Prior to that, from 1997 to 2001, Ms. Pile held the position of Vice-President of Stores for Express and The Limited, where she performed an integral role in turning around the women's business. From 1995 to 1997, Ms. Pile led the startup and launch of Victoria's Secret Beauty stores as Vice President of Stores - Victoria's Secret Beauty. Pile began her career in 1982 with Express, where she held various sales and management positions between 1982 and 1994.

Pile will be based in New York and will report to Tom Johnson.

About Aeropostale, Inc.

Aeropostale, Inc. is a fast growing, mall-based, specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally targeting 11 to 18 year-old young women and men. The company provides customers with a focused selection of high-quality, active-oriented, fashion basic merchandise at compelling values. Aeropostale maintains control over its proprietary brands by designing, marketing and selling all of its own merchandise. Aeropostale products are currently purchased only in its stores or at organized sales events at college campuses. Starting this summer, Aeropostale will also be selling its products on-line through its website (www.aeropostale.com).

The first Aeropostale store was opened in 1987. As of April 30, 2005, the company operated 597 stores in 47 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, AMONG OTHERS, 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 CURRENT REPORTS ON FORM 8-K, FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE OR REVISE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT SUBSEQUENT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES.