Type: Public
On the web: http://www.aeropostale.com
Employees: 17,828
Employee growth: 23.3%

Aéropostale flies high in the world of youth fashion. The retailer operates more than 1,000 mostly mall-based stores under the Aéropostale and P.S. from Aéropostale (for kids) banners in 49 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Aéropostale stocks the usual teen outerwear (jeans, T-shirts, accessories), mostly under the Aéropostale and Aéro names. It designs and sources its own merchandise so that it can quickly respond to trends. The Aéropostale name originated from a 1920s airmail firm, Compagnie Generale Aéropostale. The brand was created by R.H. Macy & Co. as a private label in the 1980s and later became a specialty store concept. After a management-led byout in the late 1990s, Aéropostale went public in 2002.

Key numbers for fiscal year ending January, 2011:
Sales: $2,400.4M
One year growth: 7.6%
Net income: $231.3M
Income growth: 0.8%

Officers:
Chairman: Julian R. Geiger
CEO and Director: Thomas P. (Tom) Johnson
President: Michael J. Cunningham

Competitors:
Abercrombie & Fitch
American Eagle Outfitters
The Gap

© 2012 Hoover's, Inc. All rights reserved.