NEW YORK and KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Feb. 10, 2005 Aeropostale Inc. (NYSE: ARO) and GSI Commerce Inc. (Nasdaq: GSIC) today announced they have signed a multi-year agreement that provides Aeropostale, a leading mall-based, specialty retailer of casual and active apparel for young men and women, with an e-commerce vehicle provided by GSI Commerce. Aeropostale’s Web store is scheduled to launch during the third quarter of 2005.
GSI Commerce will provide to Aeropostale e-commerce technology, managed hosting, order management, product fulfillment and customer service. Currently, Aeropostale products are sold exclusively in its 560 retail stores located in 43 states. Aeropostale’s e-commerce initiative opens a multi-channel retailing opportunity by providing a convenient, full-line online shopping experience for Aeropostale’s core customer base of young women and men aged 11 to 20.
We have built a very strong brand based by offering trend right’ merchandise at compelling prices in retail environments that are both high-energy and entertaining for our customers, said Julian R. Geiger, Aeropostale chairman and chief executive officer. After evaluation of several potential partners, we determined that GSI Commerce was the right long-term partner based on the company’s overall capabilities and its record of success with branded, apparel and accessory retailers. We are counting on GSI Commerce to provide us with an e-commerce solution that expands our opportunity while preserving the integrity of our customer experience.
Aeropostale has built a leadership position in the teenage apparel market and we are very excited to have our solution selected as the catalyst that will help them expand into e-commerce and contribute to the overall growth of their business, said Michael G. Rubin, GSI Commerce chairman and chief executive officer.
About GSI Commerce
GSI Commerce provides an e-commerce solution enabling retailers, branded manufacturers, entertainment companies and professional sports organizations to operate e-commerce businesses. The company’s e-commerce solution includes Web site design and development, e-commerce technology, managed hosting, order fulfillment, customer service, merchandising and order management, online merchandising, customer relationship management, content development and online marketing. The company operates either all or a portion of the e-commerce businesses for approximately 45 partners.
About Aeropostale
Aeropostale Inc. (www.aeropostale.com) 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. The company currently operates 560 stores in 43 states.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements made in this release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, intend, may, plan, will, would, should, guidance, potential, continue, project, forecast, confident, prospects, and similar expressions typically are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business of GSI Commerce and the industries and markets in which GSI Commerce operates. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors which may affect GSI Commerce’s business, financial condition and operating results include the effects of changes in the economy, consumer spending, the financial markets and the industries in which GSI Commerce and its partners operate, changes affecting the Internet and e-commerce, the ability of GSI Commerce to develop and maintain relationships with strategic partners and suppliers and the timing of its establishment or extension of its relationships with strategic partners, the ability of GSI Commerce to timely and successfully develop, maintain and protect its technology and product and service offerings and execute operationally, the ability of GSI Commerce to attract and retain qualified personnel, the ability of GSI Commerce to successfully integrate its acquisitions of other businesses, if any, and the performance of acquired businesses. More information about potential factors that could affect GSI Commerce can be found in its most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other reports and statements filed by GSI Commerce with the Securities and Exchange Commission. GSI Commerce expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as otherwise specifically stated by GSI Commerce.
Contacts:
GSI Commerce
Greg Ryan, Director of Corporate Communication
tel: 610-491-7294
fax: 610-265-2866
[email protected]
Aeropostale
Michael Cunningham, Chief Financial Officer
Ken Ohashi, Director of Investor Relations
888-363-2825