Aéropostale (company): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:02, 24 November 2006

Latest revision as of 09:58, 1 June 2025

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{{Short description|American clothing retailer}}

{{Infobox_Company |

{{Distinguish|Aérospatiale}}{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2015}}

company_name = Aéropostale Inc.|

{{Infobox company

company_logo = [[Image:Aeropostale Logo.PNG|centre|192px|Company logo]] |

| name = Aéropostale

company_type = [[Public company|Public]] ([[New York Stock Exchange|NYSE]]: '''[http://www.nyse.com/about/listed/lcddata.html?ticker=ARO ARO]) |

| logo = Aeropostale logo17.png

foundation = [[New York City|New York]], [[New York]] (1987) |

| logo_size = 200px

___location = [[New York City|New York]], [[New York]] |

| image = AéropostaleMarkville.jpg

key_people = |

| image_caption = Aéropostale at [[CF Markville]] in Ontario in 2015, closed a year later

industry = [[Clothing store]] |

| image_size = 250px

products = [[Clothing]] |

| type = [[Subsidiary]]

revenue = {{profit}} $1.2 billion (2006) |

| foundation = {{start date and age|1987|p=y}} in [[Seattle|Seattle, Washington]], U.S.

num_employees = |

| founder = R.H. Macy & Company

homepage = [http://www.aeropostale.com/ www.aeropostale.com]

| ___location =

| location_city = [[New York City]]

| location_country = U.S.

| area_served = Worldwide

| locations = 800

| key_people = Marc Miller (CEO)

| industry = [[Retail]]

| owners = {{plainlist|

* [[Authentic Brands Group]]

* [[Simon Property Group]]

* [[Brookfield Property Partners]]

* [[Gordon Brothers]]

* [[Hilco Global|Hilco Merchant Resources]]

}}

| parent = [[Catalyst Brands]]

{{Otheruses4|a clothing company|other uses|Aéropostale}}

| products = [[Clothing|Apparel]] & [[fashion accessory|accessories]]

'''Aéropostale''' is an American clothing retailer oriented towards customers ages 11-18. The brand sells athletically styled casual clothing in stores it owns and runs itself, typically at prices under USD$50. Aéropostale sells teen fashion apparel (jeans, T-shirts, accessories, etc.) under the Aéropostale and Aéro names. The Aéropostale name originated from a 1920s French/Latin-American airmail firm, [[Compagnie Générale Aéropostale]].

| num_employees = 21,007

| num_employees_year = January 31, 2015<ref name="Aéropostale-Mar-2015-10-K">{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1168213/000116821315000031/aro-20150131x10k.htm#s1C05D4287234B03112A1CB0B980D3F17 |title=Aéropostale, Form 10-K, Annual Report, Filing Date Mar 30, 2015 |publisher=sec.gov |access-date = September 26, 2015}}</ref>

| revenue = {{nowrap|{{increase}} US$1 billion {{small|(2021)}}}}

| homepage = {{URL|https://www.aeropostale.com/|aeropostale.com}}

}}

'''Aéropostale Inc.''', is an American [[shopping mall]]–based retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally aimed at young adults and teenagers.<ref name="Aéropostale - About Us">{{cite web|url=https://www.aeropostale.com/s/aeropostale/human-resource/hr-about-us.html |title=Aéropostale - About |publisher=Aéropostale Human Resources |access-date =February 16, 2020}}</ref> Aéropostale maintains control over its proprietary brands by designing, sourcing, marketing, and selling all of its own merchandise. The company sells via Aéropostale stores in the United States and through its [[e-commerce]] site.

Aéropostale's licensees operate Aéropostale and P.S. from Aéropostale locations in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

The first Aéropostale stores were opened in 1987 by [[Macy's|R H Macy & Co]]. in [[Thousand Oaks, California]], and in [[Short Hills, New Jersey]].

==Pronunciation==

Many different pronunciations of the brand name have developed in the United States: arrow-PAUSE-tall, arrow-PUS-tall-ee etc.. According to a video posted by the company on YouTube, the English pronunciation is a simplified version of the French word, which means "French airmail service." In French, it's /a e ʁɔ pɔs ˈtal/. In English, it's /ˌɛər oʊ poʊ ˈstɒl/ or, in [[spelling pronunciation]], "arrow-post-ALL."<ref>{{cite web|title=How do you say Aéropostale?|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5GdQ_Btigw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/z5GdQ_Btigw |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|website=YouTube| date=July 31, 2013 |publisher=Aéropostale|access-date=20 October 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Subsidiaries==

The now-defunct ''P.S. from Aéropostale'' began in 2009, and originally only offered apparel at value prices to the 7–12 age market.<ref name="Aéropostale-Mar-2009-8-K">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2816/116821309000010/filing-main.htm |title=Aéropostale, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Mar 13, 2009 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date =December 30, 2012}}</ref> In winter of 2011, P.S. added apparel for three-, four-, five- and six-year-olds to their collections, being introduced with the holiday clothing. Beginning in November 2013, the Bethany Mota collection was added to Aéropostale stores, featuring clothing and accessories designed by American video blogger [[Bethany Mota]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}} Also beginning in the fall of 2013, the Live Love Dream collection (LLD) was added to Aéropostale stores. Live Love Dream features lounge and activewear geared to girls. The company also offered a secondary brand called Jimmy'Z that focused on surf and skater clothing. The 14 stores were branded as more upscale with higher price points than its parent chain. The company closed all Jimmy'Z in fiscal 2009.<ref name="Aéropostale-Mar-2005-8-K">{{cite web |url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/699/95012305002922/filing-main.htm |title=Aéropostale, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Mar 10, 2005 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=December 30, 2012 |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017135610/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/699/95012305002922/filing-main.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Aéropostale-Mar-2010-10-K">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1163/116821310000023/filing-main.htm |title=Aéropostale, Form 10-K, Annual Report, Filing Date Mar 29, 2010 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date =December 30, 2012}}</ref>

In October 2014, the company launched their latest collection, United XXVI, which features clothing with an edgier look. The company works with video bloggers [[Nash Grier]], [[Hayes Grier]], and [[Cameron Dallas]] to create these looks based on the type of clothing the boys enjoy.

Aéropostale currently has the following brands for girls: Free State, Hobie, Invite Only, Junie & Jade, Lorimer, Map to Mars, The Bikini Lab, United XXVI. And for boys: Free State, United XXVI.

==Competition==

Aéropostale mainly competes with other outfitters, [[Abercrombie & Fitch]] and its subsidiary retailer [[Hollister Co.]], and [[American Eagle Outfitters]] as well as a few smaller brands. Aéropostale's younger brand, P.S. from Aéropostale, competed with brands such as A&F's younger subsidiary [[Abercrombie Kids]] and, formerly, [[American Eagle Outfitters|American Eagle's]] 77kids.

==Promotions==

In 2007, the company began doing promotions with successful figures to increase brand awareness, and since 2008 started to collaborate with non-profit organisations and artists.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Aeropostale Partners with Do hi Something to Launch Teens for Jeans |publisher=Aéropostale |date=January 16, 2008 |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=131103&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1097141 |access-date=March 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729145932/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=131103&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1097141 |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Over 200,000 Teens Expected to Donate Jeans for Homeless Teens |publisher=Aéropostale |date=January 26, 2009 |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=131103&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1249460 |access-date=March 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724030910/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=131103&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1249460 |archive-date=July 24, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Aéropostale Scholarship |url=http://www.noessayscholarshipsonline.com/aeropostale-scholarship |access-date=September 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015112547/http://www.noessayscholarshipsonline.com/aeropostale-scholarship |archive-date=October 15, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Aéropostale and The Black Eyed Peas|url=http://www.aeropostale.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=11377424|access-date=May 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725101327/http://www.aeropostale.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=11377424|archive-date=July 25, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Legal issues==

* In March 2007, Aéropostale was accused of infringing a patent owned by Card Activation Technologies, Inc. in a lawsuit filed in the Northern District of Illinois.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-ilndce/case_no-1:2007cv01230/case_id-206806/ |title=Card Activation Technologies Inc v. Barnes & Noble Inc et al :: Justia Dockets & Filings |publisher=Dockets.justia.com |date=March 2, 2007 |accessdate=April 10, 2012 |archive-date=March 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327013221/http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-ilndce/case_no-1:2007cv01230/case_id-206806/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a separate lawsuit on the same patent, Card Activation received a ruling on claim construction which it interpreted as "extremely favorable" to its interpretation of the patent and its "pursuit of infringers" of the patent.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS89937+14-Sep-2009+BW20090914 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917020943/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS89937+14-Sep-2009+BW20090914 | url-status=dead | archive-date=September 17, 2009 | title=Card Activation Technologies, Inc. Receives Ruling on Claims Construction Issues | date=September 14, 2009 | work=Reuters}}</ref>

* In June 2007, Aéropostale was accused of infringing a patent owned by Picture Patents, LLC in a lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-nysdce/case_no-1:2007cv05567/case_id-307443/ |title=Picture Patents, LLC. v. Aeropostale, Inc. :: Justia Dockets & Filings |publisher=Dockets.justia.com |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017135610/https://dockets.justia.com/docket/new-york/nysdce/1:2007cv05567/307443 |url-status=live }}</ref>

* In July 2009, Aéropostale was accused of infringing a patent owned by Furnace Brook, LLC in a lawsuit filed in the Northern District of Illinois.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-ilndce/case_no-1:2009cv04310/case_id-233429/ |title=Furnace Brook LLC v. Aeropostale, Inc. et al :: Justia Dockets & Filings |publisher=Dockets.justia.com |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017135610/https://dockets.justia.com/docket/illinois/ilndce/1:2009cv04310/233429 |url-status=live }}</ref>

*[[Executive Vice President]] and [[Chief Merchandising Officer]] Christopher Finazzo was terminated in November 2006 after an investigation by the [[Board of Directors]] revealed that he had concealed and failed to disclose personal and business interests with South Bay Apparel, a major vendor. The [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|SEC]] issued an investigation on the Finazzo matter in January 2008. A criminal indictment was unsealed and announced June 11, 2010 in U.S. Court in Brooklyn, NY charging Finazzo and Doug Dey, the owner of South Bay with [[Wire fraud|wire]] and [[mail fraud]] [[Conspiracy (crime)|conspiracy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9MzgwODcwfENoaWxkSUQ9MzgxMDQwfFR5cGU9MQ==&t=1 |title=2009 Annual Report, p. 44–45 |access-date=April 10, 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.just-style.com/news/former-clothing-execs-face-fraud-charges_id108002.aspx | title=Former clothing execs face fraud charges | date=June 15, 2010 | work=just-style.com}}</ref> Finazzo was convicted on 16 counts, including 14 counts of mail fraud and one each for wire fraud and conspiracy on April 25, 2013.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-25/ex-aeropostale-executive-found-guilty-in-vendor-deal.html| title=Ex-Aeropostale Executive Found Guilty in Vendor Deal| date=April 25, 2013| work=Bloomberg| access-date=March 5, 2017| archive-date=June 15, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615135703/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-25/ex-aeropostale-executive-found-guilty-in-vendor-deal.html| url-status=live}}</ref>

===2016 bankruptcy===

After thirteen consecutive quarters of losses, the company was delisted from the [[New York Stock Exchange]] on April 22, 2016, and began trading under the symbol "AROP" as an [[over-the-counter (finance)|over-the-counter stock]].

Aéropostale filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] on May 4, 2016, with assets of $354 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aeropostale Inc. Chapter 11 Petition|url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/view/DMM5H2Q/Aeropostale_Inc__nysbke-16-11275__0001.0.pdf|website=PacerMonitor|access-date=9 May 2016|archive-date=October 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017135614/https://www.pacermonitor.com/view/DMM5H2Q/Aeropostale_Inc__nysbke-16-11275__0001.0.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The company closed 113 of its 739 U.S. stores and all 41 (in addition to 20 already closed prior to the filing) in Canada, the majority of which were unprofitable and responsible for the company's losses.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/news/companies/aeropostale-bankruptcy/ | title=Teen retailer Aeropostale has filed for bankruptcy | work=CNNMoney | date=May 4, 2016 | access-date=May 4, 2016 | author=Mclean, Rob | archive-date=October 17, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017135617/https://money.cnn.com/2016/05/04/news/companies/aeropostale-bankruptcy/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.ibtimes.com/aeropostale-arop-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy-protection-2363793 | title=Aéropostale (AROP) Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection | work=[[International Business Times]] | date=May 4, 2016 | access-date=May 4, 2016 | author=Goenka, Himanshu | archive-date=October 17, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017135616/https://www.ibtimes.com/aeropostale-arop-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy-protection-2363793 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/05/04/aeropostale-chapter-11-bankruptcy-store-closure-list/83916028/ | title=Will your Aéropostale close? Here's the list | work=USA Today | date=May 4, 2016 | access-date=May 4, 2016 | author=Bomey, Nathan | archive-date=May 5, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505032635/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/05/04/aeropostale-chapter-11-bankruptcy-store-closure-list/83916028/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

The company exited bankruptcy in September 2016, after a $243 million bid from a consortium of licensing firm [[Authentic Brands Group]], mall operators [[Simon Property Group]] and [[General Growth Properties]], and capital-investment firms [[Gordon Brothers]] and [[Hilco Global|Hilco Merchant Resources]]. By January 2017, Aéropostale had reopened over 500 stores under its new management.<ref name="NotOutOfBusiness">{{cite news | url=http://fortune.com/2016/09/13/aeropostale-bankrupcty/ | title=Aéropostale Won't Go Out of Business After All | work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] | date=September 13, 2016 | access-date=February 10, 2018 | author=Wahba, Phil | archive-date=February 11, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211190054/http://fortune.com/2016/09/13/aeropostale-bankrupcty/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ChainStoreAge">{{cite news | url=https://www.chainstoreage.com/article/teen-apparel-retailer-reopens-00-plus-stores/ | title=Teen apparel retailer reopens 500-plus stores | work=Chain Store Age | date=January 11, 2017 | access-date=February 10, 2018 | author=Wilson, Marianne | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212014946/https://www.chainstoreage.com/article/teen-apparel-retailer-reopens-00-plus-stores/ | archive-date=February 12, 2018 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Aéropostale products returned to Canada in 2019, through boutiques in [[Bluenotes]] stores and a dedicated online shop.<ref name="RetailInsider-Returns">{{cite news|title=US Retailer Aéropostale to Re-Enter Canada with Aggressive Growth Strategy|last1=Toneguzzi|first1=Mario|publisher=Retail Insider|date=2019-11-25|url=https://www.retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2019/11/us-retailer-aropostale-to-re-enter-canada-with-aggressive-growth-strategy|access-date=2020-07-30|archive-date=October 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017135619/https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2019/11/us-retailer-aropostale-to-re-enter-canada-with-aggressive-growth-strategy/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the acquisition in 2017, the company transferred its design, production and distribution license in Europe to the London-based LDN Fashion Design group. It has an annual turnover of almost 1.5 billion dollars (2020) and 1,000 stores in the Americas. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Aéropostale regresa a Europa y aterriza en España con multimarca, franquicias y online|url=https://www.modaes.es/empresa/aeropostale-regresa-a-europa-y-aterriza-en-espana-con-multimarca-franquicias-y-online.html|access-date=2021-05-19|website=www.modaes.es|date=October 2, 2020 |language=es|archive-date=October 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017135626/https://www.modaes.com/empresa/aeropostale-regresa-a-europa-y-aterriza-en-espana-con-multimarca-franquicias-y-online|url-status=live}}</ref>

Its logo is a small butterfly usually in the left-hand corner for the women's line and a small, standing bulldog for the men's line.

==HistorySee also==

*[[Forever 21]]

*[[Gap Inc.]]

*[[Old Navy]]

*[[Pacific Sunwear]]

*[[Retail apocalypse]]

*[[List of retailers affected by the retail apocalypse]]

==References==

Aéropostale was established in 1987. The brand was introduced by Macy's, and primarily sold young men's clothes. Since then, the company has evolved, introduced girl's clothes, and opened several hundred stores. Stores can be found around much of the [[United States]].

{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==

The brand is popular in [[Canada]] as well, though there are no stores located in that country. In the summer of 2006, it was announced that Aéropostale planned to move into Canada in 2007. Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto have been mentioned as possible locations for stores.

{{commonscat}}

* {{official website}}

* [http://www.ps4u.com/ Official P.S. from Aéropostale website]

* [http://www.secdatabase.com/CIK/1168213/Company-Name/AEROPOSTALE-INC Aéropostale SEC　Filings]

{{Authentic Brands Group}}

==Place in popular culture==

Aeropostale is one of four major stores for ages 11 and up, [[Abercrombie & Fitch]] being most expensive, then [[Hollister Co.|Hollister]], then [[American Eagle Outfitters]]. Aeropostale is considered the least expensive one. Aeropostale can be usually found in shopping malls. The store is gaining popularity as it competes with the three other stores mentioned earlier, quite popular themselves.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aeropostale}}

[[Category:Clothing companies of the United States|Aeropostale]]

[[Category:Clothing retailers|Aeropostalebrands of the United States]]

[[Category:Clothing retailers of the United States]]

CRAP!

[[Category:Jeans by brand]]

[[Category:Clothing companies based in New York City]]

[[Category:American companies established in 1987]]

[[Category:Clothing companies established in 1987]]

[[Category:Retail companies established in 1987]]

[[Category:1987 establishments in New York (state)]]

[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2016]]

[[Category:Companies that have filed for bankruptcy in Canada]]

[[Category:2000s fashion]]

[[Category:2010s fashion]]

[[Category:Authentic Brands Group]]