10-K
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
Form 10-K
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(Mark One)
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þ
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the Fiscal Year Ended
February 3, 2007
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or
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o
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Commission File Number:
001-31314
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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No. 31-1443880
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(State or other jurisdiction
of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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112 West 34th Street,
22nd floor
New York, NY
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10120
(Zip Code)
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(Address of principal executive
offices)
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Registrants telephone number, including area code:
(646) 485-5398
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the
Act:
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Title of Each Class
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Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
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Common Stock, $0.01 par value
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New York Stock Exchange
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the
Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known
seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file
reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed
all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding
12 months, and (2) has been subject to the filing
requirements for at least the past
90 days. Yes þ No
o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers
pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K
is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best
of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in
Part III of this
Form 10-K
or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated
filer (as defined in
Rule 12b-2
of the Act).
Large accelerated
filer þ Accelerated
filer o Non-accelerated
filer o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company
(as defined in
Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange
Act). Yes o No þ
The aggregate market value of voting stock held by
non-affiliates of the registrant as of July 29, 2006 was
$1,472,814,247.
51,654,517 shares of Common Stock were outstanding at
March 21, 2007.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrants definitive Proxy Statement, to
be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within
120 days after the end of the registrants fiscal year
covered by this Annual Report on
Form 10-K,
with respect to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on
June 20, 2007, are incorporated by reference into
Part III of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
This report consists of 57 sequentially numbered pages. The
Exhibit Index is located at sequentially numbered
page 53.
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
1
As used in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K,
unless the context otherwise requires, all references to
we, us, our,
Aéropostale or the Company refer to
Aéropostale, Inc., and its subsidiaries. The term
common stock means our common stock,
$.01 par value. Our website is located at
www.aeropostale.com (this and any other references in this
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
to Aéropostale.com is solely a reference to a uniform
resource locator, or URL, and is an inactive textual reference
only, not intended to incorporate the website into this Annual
Report on
Form 10-K).
On our website, we make available, as soon as reasonably
practicable after electronic filing with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, our annual reports on
Form 10-K,
quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q,
annual Proxy filings and current reports on
Form 8-K,
and any amendments to those reports. All of these reports are
provided to the public free of charge.
PART I
Overview
Aéropostale, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a mall-based
specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories. We design,
market and sell our own brand of merchandise principally
targeting 14 to 17 year-old young women and young men.
JimmyZ Surf Co., Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of
Aéropostale, Inc., is a California lifestyle-oriented brand
targeting trend-aware young women and men aged 18 to 25. We also
sell Aéropostale merchandise through our
e-commerce
website, www.aeropostale.com. As of February 3,
2007, we operated 742 stores, consisting of 728 Aéropostale
stores in 47 states and 14 JimmyZ stores in
11 states.
Aéropostale provides the customer with a focused selection
of high-quality, active-oriented, fashion and fashion basic
merchandise at compelling values. JimmyZ provides the
customer with a broad selection of California lifestyle-oriented
merchandise, targeting trend-aware young men and women. We
maintain control over our proprietary brands by designing and
sourcing all of our merchandise. Our products are sold only at
our stores and online through our
e-commerce
website, www.aeropostale.com,. We strive to create a fun,
high-energy shopping experience through the use of creative
visual merchandising, colorful in-store signage, popular music
and an enthusiastic well-trained sales force. Our average
Aéropostale store size of approximately 3,500 square
feet is generally smaller than that of our mall-based
competitors and we believe that this enables us to achieve
higher sales productivity and project a sense of greater action
and excitement in the store.
The Aéropostale brand was established by R.H.
Macy & Co., Inc., as a department store private label
initiative, in the early 1980s targeting men in their
twenties. Macys subsequently opened the first mall-based
Aéropostale specialty store in 1987. Over the next decade,
Macys, and then Federated Department Stores, Inc.,
expanded Aéropostale to over 100 stores. In August 1998,
Federated sold its specialty store division to our management
team and Bear Stearns Merchant Banking. In May of 2002,
Aéropostale management took us public through an initial
public offering and listed our common stock on the New York
Stock Exchange. In July of 2003, we effectuated a secondary
offering of our common stock. In April 2004, we completed a
three-for-two
stock split on all shares of our common stock that was affected
in the form of a stock dividend. All prior period share and per
share amounts presented in this report have been restated to
give retroactive recognition to the common stock split.
Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31.
Fiscal 2006 was the
53-week
period ended February 3, 2007, Fiscal 2005 was the
52-week
period ended January 28, 2006, and fiscal 2004 was the
52-week
period ended January 29, 2005. Fiscal 2007 will be the
52-week
period ending February 2, 2008.
Growth
Strategy
Continue to open new Aéropostale
stores. We consider our merchandise and our
stores as having broad national appeal that continues to provide
substantial new store expansion opportunities. Over the last
three fiscal years we opened 282 new Aéropostale stores. We
plan to continue our growth by opening a total of approximately
85 new Aéropostale stores during fiscal 2007, which will
include our first 10 international Aéropostale stores in
Canada. We plan to open stores both in markets where we
currently operate stores, and in new markets, such as Canada.
(see the section Stores Store design
and environment below).
2
Enhance and expand our brand. We seek to
capitalize on the success of our core Aéropostale brand,
while continuing to enhance our brand recognition through
external as well as in-store marketing initiatives. We expect
that, as our brand continues to gain increased awareness and
greater overall recognition, our stores will continue to be
preferred shopping destinations.
Continue high levels of store productivity. We
seek to produce comparable store sales growth, increased average
sales per square foot, and increased average unit retail. We
expect to continue employing our promotional pricing strategies
in order to maintain high levels of customer traffic. We will
also continue testing our products with our core demographics,
so that we can identify and capitalize upon developing trends
and continue to evolve with the changing tastes of our customers.
E-Commerce. We
launched our Aéropostale
e-commerce
business in May 2005. The Aéropostale web store is
accessible at our website, www.aeropostale.com. A third
party provides fulfillment services for our
e-commerce
business, including warehousing our inventory and fulfilling our
customers sales orders. We purchase, manage and own the
inventory sold through our website and we recognize revenue from
the sale of these products when the customer receives the
merchandise.
JimmyZ. In 2004, we acquired the rights
to and existing registrations for the
JIMMYZ®
and Woody Car Design brand and trademarks in the United States
and Canada for clothing and related goods and services. In 2005,
we opened our first 14 JimmyZ stores. These stores average
approximately 3,800 square feet. JimmyZ is positioned
as a California lifestyle-oriented brand, targeting trend-aware
young men and women aged 18 to 25. Merchandise sold at
JimmyZ stores is at initial price points higher than
merchandise sold at our Aéropostale stores. We are not
planning to open any new JimmyZ stores in fiscal 2007, but
instead plan to focus on refining our merchandising and brand
building strategies for JimmyZ.
Stores
Existing stores. As of February 3, 2007,
we operated 742 stores in the following 47 states. We
strive to locate our stores primarily in regional shopping malls
located in geographic areas with high concentrations of our
target customers:
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Number of
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Number
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Total
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Aéropostale
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of JimmyZ
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Number of
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State
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Stores
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Stores
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Stores
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Alabama
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15
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15
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Arkansas
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6
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6
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Arizona
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11
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11
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California
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49
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1
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50
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Colorado
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9
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9
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Connecticut
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10
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10
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Delaware
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4
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4
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Florida
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44
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1
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45
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Georgia
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20
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20
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Idaho
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3
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3
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Illinois
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26
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1
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27
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Indiana
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21
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21
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Iowa
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12
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12
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Kansas
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7
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7
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Kentucky
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9
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9
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Louisiana
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13
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13
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Massachusetts
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22
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22
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Maryland
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16
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16
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Maine
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3
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3
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Michigan
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29
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29
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Minnesota
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15
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1
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16
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Mississippi
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7
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7
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Missouri
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16
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1
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17
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Montana
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2
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2
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North Carolina
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21
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1
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22
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North Dakota
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4
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4
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Nebraska
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4
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4
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New Hampshire
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6
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6
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New Jersey
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23
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23
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New Mexico
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2
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2
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Nevada
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4
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4
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New York
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45
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1
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46
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Ohio
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34
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34
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Oklahoma
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6
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6
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Oregon
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7
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7
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Pennsylvania
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46
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3
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49
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Rhode Island
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1
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1
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South Carolina
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12
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12
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3
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Number of
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Number
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Total
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Aéropostale
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of JimmyZ
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Number of
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State
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Stores
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Stores
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Stores
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South Dakota
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2
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2
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Tennessee
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20
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1
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21
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Texas
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53
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2
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55
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Utah
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10
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10
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Virginia
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23
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23
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Vermont
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2
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2
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Washington
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12
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12
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Wisconsin
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16
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1
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17
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West Virginia
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6
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6
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Total
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728
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14
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742
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The following table highlights the number of stores opened and
closed since the beginning of fiscal 2004:
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Total
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Aéropostale
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JimmyZ
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Total
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Aéropostale
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Number of
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Stores
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Stores
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Stores
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Stores
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Stores at End
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Opened
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Opened
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Opened
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Closed
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of Period
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Fiscal 2004
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103
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103
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1
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561
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Fiscal 2005
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105
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14
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119
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9
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671
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Fiscal 2006
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74
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74
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3
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742
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Store design and environment. We launched a
new Aéropostale prototype store design during fiscal 2006,
and we currently operate three stores in this new format. We
plan to open all new Aeropostale stores in this new format, and
all Aéropostale stores planned for remodel will be
renovated into this new design. We design our stores in an
effort to create an energetic shopping environment, featuring
powerful in-store promotional signage, creative visuals and
popular music. The enthusiasm of our associates is integral to
our store environment. Our stores feature display windows that
provide high visibility for mall traffic. The front of our
stores generally feature the newest, and what we anticipate will
be the most desirable, of our merchandise offerings at that
time, in an effort to draw shoppers into the store. Our strategy
is to create fresh and exciting merchandise assortments by
updating our floor sets numerous times throughout the year.
Visual merchandising directives are initiated at the corporate
level, seeking to maintain consistency throughout all of our
stores. We generally locate our stores in central mall locations
near popular teen gathering spots, including food courts, music
stores and other teen-oriented retailers.
We believe that by keeping our store size generally smaller than
that of many of our competitors, we are able to achieve a higher
level of productivity and help reinforce the sense of activity
and energy that we want our stores to project. In addition, we
generally implement renovations at the time of renewal of that
stores lease.
Store management. Our stores are organized
into two zones and within each zone by region and further into
districts. Each of the zones is managed by a Zone Vice President
and encompasses 3 to 4 regions. A regional manager manages each
of our 7 regions and each region encompasses approximately 8 to
10 districts. Each district is managed by a district manager and
encompasses approximately 7 to 10 individual stores. We
typically staff each store with one store manager, two assistant
managers and 10 to 15 part-time sales associates, the
number of which generally increases during our peak selling
seasons. Store managers are responsible for the operations of
the store including executing guidelines for merchandise
presentation and maintenance, scheduling, hiring and training of
sales associates. Store managers also provide the leadership and
direction of the selling effort. Our corporate headquarters
directs the merchandise assortments, merchandise pricing, store
layout, inventory management and in-store visuals for our stores.
Expansion opportunities and site
selection. Over the past four years, we have
focused on opening new stores in an effort to penetrate existing
markets as well as enter new markets. We plan to continue to
increase our store base during fiscal 2007 by opening
approximately 85 new Aéropostale stores, including
approximately 10 stores in Canada (see the section Growth
Strategy above).
In selecting a specific site, we generally target high traffic
locations in malls with suitable demographics and favorable
lease economics. As a result, we tend to locate our stores in
malls in which comparable teen-oriented retailers have performed
well. A primary site evaluation criterion includes average sales
per square foot, co-tenancies, traffic patterns and occupancy
costs.
4
We have implemented our store format across a wide variety of
mall classifications and geographic locations. For new
Aeropostale stores opened in fiscal 2006, our average net
investment was approximately $310,000 per store location,
which included capital expenditures adjusted for landlord
contributions and initial inventory at cost, net of payables.
Average net investment for stores using our new Aéropostale
store design is expected to approximate $430,000 (see the
section Store design and environment above for a
further discussion).
Aeropostale stores which we opened in fiscal 2005 and fiscal
2004 achieved, during their first twelve months of their
operations, average net sales of approximately $1.7 million
and net sales of $492 per average square foot. These
amounts exclude certain outlet locations that are not considered
profit centers and are utilized primarily to sell end of season
merchandise.
Pricing
We believe that a key component of our success is our ability to
understand what our customers want and what they can afford. Our
merchandise, which we believe is of comparable quality to that
of our primary competitors, is generally priced lower than our
competitors merchandise. We conduct promotions in our
stores throughout the year. Each promotion typically lasts
approximately two to four weeks.
Design
and Merchandising
Both our Aéropostale and JimmyZ design and
merchandising teams focus on designing merchandise that meets
the demands of their core customers lifestyles. We
maintain separate, dedicated, design and merchandising groups
for each of our brands and within those brands, for each of the
young womens, young mens and accessories product
lines.
Design. We offer a focused collection of
fashion basic apparel, including graphic t-shirts, tops,
bottoms, sweaters, jeans, outerwear and accessories. Our
design-driven, merchant-modified philosophy, in
which our designers visions are refined by our
merchants understanding of the current market for our
products, helps to ensure that our merchandise styles reflect
the latest trends while not becoming too fashion-forward for our
customers tastes. Much of our merchandise features our
brands logos. We believe that both our Aéropostale
and JimmyZ logo apparel appeals to our young customers and
reinforces our brand image.
Merchandising. Our merchandise planning
organization determines the quantities of units needed for each
product category. By monitoring sales of each style and color
and employing our flexible sourcing capabilities, we are able to
adjust our merchandise assortments to capitalize upon emerging
trends.
The following chart provides a historical breakdown of our
percentages of sales by category:
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Fiscal
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2006
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2005
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2004
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Young Womens
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60%
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61%
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60%
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Young Mens
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25%
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25%
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26%
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Accessories
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15%
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14%
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14%
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Sourcing
We seek to employ a sourcing strategy that expedites our speed
to market and allows us to respond quickly to our
customers preferences. We believe that we have developed
strong relationships with our vendors, some of whom rely upon us
for a significant portion of their overall business. The
majority of our vendors can respond to orders quickly. We will
cease doing business with South Bay Apparel Inc., one of our
largest suppliers of graphic
T-shirts and
fleece, in July 2007 (see note 5 to the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion). We
are in the process of replacing this business with new vendors,
and with our existing vendor base. We monitor the quality of our
vendors products by inspecting pre-production samples,
arranging for periodic site visits to vendors foreign
production factories and by selectively inspecting inbound
product shipments at our distribution center and conducting
store quality inspection audits.
5
During fiscal 2006, we sourced approximately 30% of our
merchandise from our top three suppliers, and approximately 64%
from our top ten suppliers. In addition, one company acted as
our agent in sourcing approximately 19% of our total
merchandise. Most of our vendors maintain sourcing offices in
the United States, with the majority of their production
factories located in Europe, Asia and Central America. In an
effort to minimize currency risk, all payments to our vendors
and sourcing agents are made in U.S. dollars. We engage a
third party independent contractor to visit the production
facilities that supply us with our products. This independent
contractor assesses the compliance of the facility with, among
other things, local and United States labor laws and regulations
as well as fair trade and business practices.
Marketing
and Advertising
We utilize numerous initiatives to increase our brand
recognition and communicate our merchandise assortment. We view
our stores as the primary means to communicate our message and
provide our brand experience. Our marketing efforts are focused
on in-store communications, promotions and advertising. We
expand, test and modify our marketing efforts based on frequent
focus groups, surveys and consumer feedback.
We believe that the enthusiasm and commitment of our store-level
employees is a key element in enhancing our brand with our
target customers. We also view the use of our logo on our
merchandise as a means for expanding our brand awareness and
visibility. We market in-store in the form of large images in
windows and at the checkout area, information alongside product
displays and other touch points such as handouts and shopping
bags. We invest in select external advertising during key
selling periods. Our advertisements appear in publications and
in malls and on the radio on a regional basis.
Our website, www.aeropostale.com supports all of our
internet marketing and promotional initiatives as well as
offering a large portion of our merchandise assortment for
purchase by the consumer. We maintain a database of our
consumers and send emails and distribute information on special
offers and promotions to these customers.
We believe that our target customers aspire to a collegiate
lifestyle. Accordingly, we sponsor a number of major collegiate
athletic conference tournaments, such as the Mens and
Womens Big East Basketball Tournaments, provide co-branded
athletic apparel and donate to various collegiate scholarship
programs.
Distribution
We lease a 315,000 square foot distribution facility in
South River, New Jersey, to process merchandise and to warehouse
inventory needed to replenish our stores. The timely and
efficient replenishment of our merchandise is key to our overall
business strategy. We continue to invest in systems and
automation to improve processing efficiencies, automate
functions that were previously performed manually and to support
our store growth. Our distribution facility uses automated
sortation materials handling equipment to receive, process and
ship to our stores. Our distribution facility services all of
our Aéropostale and JimmyZ stores. This facility also
serves our other warehousing needs, such as storage of new store
merchandise, floor set merchandise and packaging supplies.
The staffing and management of the distribution facility is
outsourced to a third party provider that operates the
distribution facility and processes our merchandise. This third
party provider employs personnel represented by a labor union.
There have been no work stoppages or disruptions since the
inception of our relationship with this third party provider in
1991, and we believe that the third party provider has a good
relationship with its employees. In addition, we outsource the
shipment of our merchandise through third party transportation
providers. These third parties ship our merchandise from our
distribution facility to our stores.
In January 2007, we entered into a lease agreement for a second
distribution facility in Ontario, California with
360,000 square feet of space. We believe that this will
allow us to more effectively flow goods, which enter the United
States through various ports on either coast, more quickly and
efficiently to our stores. The new distribution facility will
also provide additional capacity as we continue to grow our
store base. The staffing and management model in Ontario will be
outsourced to the same third party provider that operates the
South River, New Jersey distribution facility (see above) and
processes our merchandise there. The facility will also be
equipped with material handling equipment similar to the
equipment in our South River, New Jersey facility. The Ontario
facility,
6
together with the South River facility, will have the processing
capacity to support all Aéropostale and JimmyZ
stores. We plan to begin operating this distribution facility in
the second half of fiscal 2007.
Information
Systems
Our management information systems provide a full range of
retail, financial and merchandising applications. We utilize
industry specific software systems to provide various functions
related to:
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point-of-sale;
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inventory management;
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supply chain;
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planning and replenishment; and
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financial reporting.
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We continue to invest in technology to align our technology and
systems with our business requirements and to support our
continuing growth. In the past year we focused on key aspects of
critical infrastructure requirements, and we plan to continue
this focus in the future. To date, we have upgraded our
point-of-sale
system in more than half of our stores and plan to complete this
chain-wide upgrade by mid 2007.
Trademarks
We own, through our wholly owned subsidiary, Aeropostale West,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, federal trademark registrations in
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for our principal
marks
AÉROPOSTALE®,
AÉRO®,
87®
and other related marks for clothing, a variety of
accessories, including sunglasses, belts, socks and hats, and as
a service mark for retail clothing stores, as well as state
registrations for these marks. We have several registrations
pending for trademarks and service marks for clothing, retail
stores and online services. Additionally, we have applied for or
have obtained a registration for the AÉROPOSTALE and
related marks in over 26 foreign countries where we obtain
supplies, manufacture goods or have the potential of doing so in
the future.
In 2004, we acquired the rights to and existing registrations
for the
JIMMYZ®
and Woody Car Design brand and marks in the United States and
Canada for clothing and related goods and services. We have also
made further filings for the JIMMYZ and Woody Car Design
marks for use in the United States and Canada that are pending.
We regard our trademarks and other proprietary intellectual
property as valuable assets that we continually maintain and
protect.
Competition
The teen apparel market is highly competitive. We compete with a
wide variety of retailers including other specialty stores,
department stores, mail order retailers and mass merchandisers.
Specifically, we compete with other teen apparel retailers
including, but not limited to, American Eagle
Outfitters®,
Hollister®,
Hot
Topic®,
Old Navy®,
Pacific
Sunwear®,
and
Too®.
Stores in our sector compete primarily on the basis of design,
price, quality, service and selection. We believe that our
competitive advantage lies with our differentiated brand and our
unique combination of quality, comfort and value. Moreover, we
believe that we target a younger, value-oriented customer, while
many of our competitors cater to a customer who is either older
or seeking cutting-edge fashion.
Many of our competitors are considerably larger and have
substantially greater financing, marketing, and other resources.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete
successfully in the future, particularly in geographic locations
that represent new markets for us.
Employees
As of February 3, 2007, we employed 2,696 full-time
and 8,060 part-time employees. We employed 333 of our
employees at our corporate offices, and 10,423 at our store
locations. The number of part-time employees fluctuates
7
depending on our seasonal needs. None of our employees are
represented by a labor union and we consider our relationship
with our employees to be good.
Seasonality
Our business is highly seasonal, and historically we have
realized a significant portion of our sales, net income and cash
flows in the second half of the year, attributable to the impact
of the
back-to-school
selling season in the third quarter, and the holiday selling
season in the fourth quarter. Additionally, working capital
requirements fluctuate during the year, increasing in mid-summer
in anticipation of the third and fourth quarters.
Available
Information
We maintain an internet website, www.aeropostale.com,
through which access is available to our annual reports on
Form 10-K,
quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q
and current reports on
Form 8-K,
and all amendments of these reports filed, or furnished pursuant
to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, after they are filed with or furnished to the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charters for our
Audit Committee, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
and Compensation Committee may also be found on our internet
website at www.aeropostale.com. In addition, our website
contains the Charter for our Lead Independent Director and Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics, which is our code of ethics and
conduct for our directors, officers and employees. Any waivers
to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be promptly
disclosed on our website.
In fiscal 2006, our Chief Executive Officer certified, in
accordance with section 303.12(a) of the NYSE Listed
Company Manual, that he was not aware of any violation by us of
the NYSEs corporate governance listing standards as of the
date of such certification.
Cautionary
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on
Form 10-K
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such
forward-looking statements involve certain risks and
uncertainties, including statements regarding our strategic
direction, prospects and future results. Certain factors,
including factors outside of our control, may cause actual
results to differ materially from those contained in the
forward-looking statements. The following risk factors should be
read in connection with evaluating our business and future
prospects. All forward looking statements included in this
report are based on information available to us as of the date
hereof, and we assume no obligation to update or revise such
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
that occur after such statements are made. Such uncertainties
include, among others, the following factors:
Fluctuations
in comparable store sales and quarterly results of operations
may cause the price of our common stock to decline
substantially.
Our comparable store sales and quarterly results of operations
have fluctuated in the past and are likely to continue to
fluctuate in the future. In addition, there can be no assurance
that we will be able to maintain our recent levels of comparable
store sales as our business continues to expand. Our comparable
store sales and quarterly results of operations are affected by
a variety of factors, including:
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fashion trends;
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changes in our merchandise mix;
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the effectiveness of our inventory management;
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actions of competitors or mall anchor tenants;
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calendar shifts of holiday or seasonal periods;
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changes in general economic conditions and consumer spending
patterns;
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the timing of promotional events; and
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weather conditions.
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If our future comparable store sales fail to meet the
expectations of investors, then the market price of our common
stock could decline substantially. You should refer to the
section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for more
information.
If we
were unable to identify and respond to consumers fashion
preferences in a timely manner, our profitability would
decline.
We may not be able to keep pace with the rapidly changing
fashion trends and consumer tastes inherent in the teen apparel
industry. Accordingly, we produce casual, comfortable apparel, a
majority of which displays either the
Aéropostale or Aéro logo.
There can be no assurance that fashion trends will not move away
from casual clothing or that we will not have to alter our
design strategy to reflect changes in consumer preferences.
Failing to anticipate, identify or react appropriately to
changes in styles, trends, desired images or brand preferences,
could have a material adverse effect on our sales, financial
condition and results of operations.
We
rely on a small number of vendors to supply a significant amount
of our merchandise.
During fiscal 2006, we sourced approximately 30% of our
merchandise from our top three suppliers; one company, South Bay
Apparel, Inc., supplied approximately 12% of our merchandise,
and two others each supplied approximately 9% of our
merchandise. We will cease doing business with South Bay Apparel
Inc. in July 2007 (see note 5 to the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for a further discussion). We are in the
process of replacing this business with new vendors and with our
existing vendor base. In addition, approximately 64% of our
merchandise was directly sourced from our top ten suppliers, and
one company acted as our agent with respect to the sourcing of
approximately 19% of our merchandise. Our relationships with our
suppliers generally are not on a long-term contractual basis and
do not provide assurances on a long-term basis as to adequate
supply, quality or acceptable pricing. Most of our suppliers
could discontinue selling to us at any time. If one or more of
our significant suppliers were to sever their relationship with
us, we could be unable to obtain replacement products in a
timely manner, which could have a material adverse effect on our
sales, financial condition and results of operations.
Our
business could suffer as a result of a manufacturers
inability to produce merchandise on time and to our
specifications.
We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities and
therefore we depend upon independent third parties to
manufacture all of our merchandise. We utilize both domestic and
international manufacturers to produce our merchandise. The
inability of a manufacturer to ship orders in a timely manner or
meet our quality standards could cause delivery date
requirements to be missed, which could result in lost sales.
Our
business could suffer if a manufacturer fails to use acceptable
labor practices.
Our sourcing agents and independent manufacturers are required
to operate in compliance with all applicable foreign and
domestic laws and regulations. While our vendor operating
guidelines promote ethical business practices for our vendors
and suppliers, we do not control these manufacturers or their
labor practices. The violation of labor or other laws by an
independent manufacturer, or by one of the sourcing agents, or
the divergence of an independent manufacturers or sourcing
agents labor practices from those generally accepted as
ethical in the United States, could interrupt, or otherwise
disrupt the shipment of finished products or damage our
reputation. Any of these, in turn, could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and results of operations. To
help mitigate this risk, we engage a third party independent
contractor to visit the production facilities from which we
receive our products. This independent contractor assesses the
compliance of the facility with, among other things, local and
United States labor laws and regulations as well as foreign and
domestic fair trade and business practices.
9
Foreign
suppliers manufacture most of our merchandise and the
availability and costs of these products may be negatively
affected by risks associated with international
trade.
Trade restrictions such as increased tariffs or quotas, or both,
could affect the importation of apparel generally and increase
the cost and reduce the supply of merchandise available to us.
Much of our merchandise is sourced directly from foreign vendors
in Europe, Asia and Central America. In addition, many of our
domestic vendors maintain production facilities overseas. Some
of these facilities are also located in regions that may be
affected by political instability that could cause a disruption
in trade. Any reduction in merchandise available to us or any
increase in its cost due to tariffs, quotas or local political
issues could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations.
Our
growth strategy relies on the continued addition of a
significant number of new stores each year, which could strain
our resources and cause the performance of our existing stores
to suffer.
Our growth will largely depend on our ability to open and
operate new stores successfully. We opened
74 Aéropostale stores in fiscal 2006, 105
Aéropostale and 14 JimmyZ stores in fiscal 2005, and
103 Aéropostale stores in fiscal 2004. We plan to open
approximately 85 new Aeropostale stores in fiscal 2007,
including approximately 10 stores in Canada. We expect to
continue to open a significant number of new stores in future
years, while also remodeling a portion of our existing store
base. Our planned expansion will place increased demands on our
operational, managerial and administrative resources. These
increased demands could cause us to operate our business less
effectively, which in turn could cause deterioration in the
financial performance of our individual stores. In addition, to
the extent that our new store openings are in existing markets,
we may experience reduced net sales volumes in previously
existing stores in those same markets.
Our
continued expansion plan is dependent on a number of factors
which, if not implemented, could delay or prevent the successful
opening of new stores and penetration into new
markets.
Unless we continue to do the following, we may be unable to open
new stores successfully and, in turn, our continued growth would
be impaired:
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identify suitable markets and sites for new store locations;
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negotiate acceptable lease terms;
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hire, train and retain competent store personnel;
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foster current relationships and develop new relationships with
vendors that are capable of supplying a greater volume of
merchandise;
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manage inventory effectively to meet the needs of new and
existing stores on a timely basis;
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expand our infrastructure to accommodate growth; and
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generate sufficient operating cash flows or secure adequate
capital on commercially reasonable terms to fund our expansion
plans.
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In addition, we will open new stores in markets in which we
currently have few or no stores. Our experience in these markets
is limited and there can be no assurance that we will be able to
develop our brand in these markets or adapt to competitive,
merchandising and distribution challenges that may be different
from those in our existing markets. Our inability to open new
stores successfully
and/or
penetrate new markets would have a material adverse effect on
our revenue and earnings growth.
The
loss of the services of key personnel could have a material
adverse effect on our business.
Our key executive officers have substantial experience and
expertise in the retail industry and have made significant
contributions to the growth and success of our brands. The
unexpected loss of the services of one or more of these
individuals could adversely affect us. Specifically, if we were
to lose the services of Julian R. Geiger, our Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, our business could be adversely affected. In
addition, Mr. Geiger maintains many of our vendor
relationships, and the loss of Mr. Geiger could negatively
impact present vendor relationships.
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A
substantial interruption in our information systems could have a
material adverse effect on our business.
We depend on our management information systems for many aspects
of our business. We will be materially adversely affected if our
management information systems are disrupted or we are unable to
improve, upgrade, maintain, and expand our management
information systems.
Failure
of new business concepts would have a negative effect on our
results of operations.
We expect that the introduction of new brand concepts and other
business opportunities will play an important role in our
overall growth strategy. The operation of the JimmyZ
stores is subject to numerous risks, including unanticipated
operating problems, lack of prior experience, lack of customer
acceptance, new vendor relationships, competition from existing
and new retailers, and could also be a diversion of
managements attention from our core Aéropostale
business. The JimmyZ concept involves, among other things,
implementation of a retail apparel concept which is subject to
many of the same risks as Aéropostale, as well as
additional risks inherent with a more fashion-driven concept,
including risks of difficulty in merchandising, uncertainty of
customer acceptance, fluctuations in fashion trends and customer
tastes, as well as the attendant markdown risks. Risks inherent
in any new concept are particularly acute with respect to
JimmyZ because this is the first significant new venture
by us, and the nature of the JimmyZ business differs in
certain respects from that of our core Aéropostale
business. There can be no assurance that the JimmyZ stores
will achieve sales and profitability levels justifying our
investments in this business. If those sales levels are not
achieved we may be required to impair the carrying value of our
investments,
and/or may
decide to close stores, which would have a negative impact on
our results of operations. Consolidated net income included net
losses from our JimmyZ subsidiary of $6.7 million, or
$0.12 per diluted share, for fiscal 2006,
$4.7 million, or $0.8 per diluted share for fiscal
2005, and none in fiscal 2004.
There
is an increased risk in operating stores in foreign
countries.
During the second half of fiscal 2007, we will open our first
Aeropostale stores in Canada. We cannot assure you that we will
be able to address in a timely fashion the risks of operating
stores in foreign countries such as governmental requirements
over merchandise importation, employment, taxation and
multi-lingual requirements. Additionally, when we enter Canada,
we have to obtain suitable store locations, hire personnel,
establish distribution methods, and advertise our brand and its
distinguishing characteristics to consumers who may not be
familiar with them. We cannot assure you that we will be able to
open and operate new stores in Canada on a timely and profitable
basis. The costs associated with opening these new stores in
Canada may negatively affect our profitability.
Our
net sales and inventory levels fluctuate on a seasonal
basis.
Our net sales and net income are disproportionately higher from
August through January each year due to increased sales from
back-to-school
and holiday shopping. Sales during this period cannot be used as
an accurate indicator for our annual results. Our net sales and
net income from February through July are typically lower due
to, in part, the traditional retail slowdown immediately
following the winter holiday season. Any significant decrease in
sales during the
back-to-school
and winter holiday seasons would have a material adverse effect
on our financial condition and results of operations. In
addition, in order to prepare for the
back-to-school
and holiday shopping seasons, we must order and keep in stock
significantly more merchandise than we would carry during other
parts of the year. Any unanticipated decrease in demand for our
products during these peak shopping seasons could require us to
sell excess inventory at a substantial markdown, which could
reduce our net sales and gross margins and negatively impact our
profitability.
A
downturn in the United States economy may affect
consumer-spending habits.
Consumer purchases of discretionary items and retail products,
including our products, may decline during recessionary periods
and also may decline at other times when disposable income is
lower. A downturn in the economy may adversely affect our sales.
11
Our
ability to attract customers to our stores depends heavily on
the success of the shopping malls in which we are
located.
In order to generate customer traffic, we must locate our stores
in prominent locations within successful shopping malls. We
cannot control the development of new shopping malls, the
availability or cost of appropriate locations within existing or
new shopping malls, or the success of individual shopping malls.
A significant decrease in shopping mall traffic would have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We
currently rely on a single distribution center.
We currently maintain one distribution center to receive, store
and distribute merchandise to all of our stores. Any significant
interruption in the operation of the distribution center due to
natural disasters, accidents, system failures or other
unforeseen causes could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition and results of operations. In January 2007,
we entered into a lease agreement for a second
360,000 square foot distribution facility in Ontario,
California. We plan to begin operating this distribution
facility in the second half of 2007.
We
rely on a third party to manage our distribution
center.
The efficient operation of our stores is dependent on our
ability to distribute, in a timely manner, merchandise to our
store locations throughout the United States. An independent
third party operates our distribution and warehouse facility. We
depend on this third party to receive, sort, pack and distribute
substantially all of our merchandise. This third party employs
personnel represented by a labor union. Although there have been
no work stoppages or disruptions since the inception of our
relationship with this third party provider beginning in 1991,
there can be no assurance that work stoppages or disruptions
will not occur in the future. We also use a separate third party
transportation company to deliver our merchandise from our
warehouse to our stores. Any failure by either of these third
parties to respond adequately to our warehousing and
distribution needs would disrupt our operations and negatively
impact our profitability.
We
rely on a third party to manage the warehousing and order
fulfillment for our
E-Commerce
business.
We rely on one third party, GSI Commerce, pursuant to an
e-commerce
agreement, to warehouse all of the inventory sold through our
e-commerce
website, as well as to fulfill all of our
e-commerce
sales to our customers. Any significant interruption in the
operations of GSI Commerce, over which we have no control, would
have a material adverse effect on our
e-commerce
business.
Failure
to protect our trademarks adequately could negatively impact our
brand image and limit our ability to penetrate new
markets.
We believe that our key trademarks
AÉROPOSTALE®
and, to a lesser extent,
AERO®
are integral to our logo-driven design strategy. We have
obtained a federal registration of the
AÉROPOSTALE®
trademark in the United States and have applied for or obtained
registrations in most foreign countries in which our vendors are
located. We use the AERO mark in many constantly changing
designs and logos even though we have not applied to register
every variation or combination thereof for adult clothing. We
also believe that the JIMMYZ and Woody Car Design marks
are an important part of our growth strategy and expansion of
our business. We have acquired federal registrations in the
United States and in Canada and have expanded the scope of our
filings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a
greater number of apparel and accessory categories. There can be
no assurance that the registrations we own and have obtained
will prevent the imitation of our products or infringement of
our intellectual property rights by others. If any third party
imitates our products in a manner that projects lesser quality
or carries a negative connotation, our brand image could be
materially adversely affected. Because we have not registered
the AERO mark in all forms and categories and have not
registered the AÉROPOSTALE,
JIMMYZ and Woody Car Design marks in all
categories or in all foreign countries in which we now or may in
the future source or offer our merchandise, international
expansion and our merchandising of non-apparel products using
these marks could be limited.
In addition, there can be no assurance that others will not try
to block the manufacture, export or sale of our products as
violation of their trademarks or other proprietary rights. Other
entities may have rights to trademarks
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that contain the word AERO or may have registered
similar or competing marks for apparel and accessories in
foreign countries in which our vendors are located. Our
applications for international registration of the
AÉROPOSTALE®
mark have been rejected in several countries in which our
products are manufactured because third parties have already
registered the mark for clothing in those countries. There may
also be other prior registrations in other foreign countries of
which we are not aware. In addition, we do not own the
JimmyZ brand outside of the United States and Canada.
Accordingly, it may be possible, in those few foreign countries
where we were not been able to register the
AÉROPOSTALE®
mark, or in the countries where the JimmyZ brand is owned
by a third party, for a third party owner of the national
trademark registration for AÉROPOSTALE,
JIMMYZ or the Woody Car Design to enjoin the
manufacture, sale or exportation of Aéropostale or
JimmyZ branded goods to the United States. If we were
unable to reach a licensing arrangement with these parties, our
vendors may be unable to manufacture our products in those
countries. Our inability to register our trademarks or purchase
or license the right to use our trademarks or logos in these
jurisdictions could limit our ability to obtain supplies from or
manufacture in less costly markets or penetrate new markets
should our business plan change to include selling our
merchandise in those jurisdictions outside the United States.
The
effects of war or acts of terrorism could have a material
adverse effect on our operating results and financial
condition.
The continued threat of terrorism and the associated heightened
security measures and military actions in response to acts of
terrorism has disrupted commerce and has intensified
uncertainties in the U.S. economy. Any further acts of
terrorism or a future war may disrupt commerce and undermine
consumer confidence, which could negatively impact our sales
revenue by causing consumer spending
and/or mall
traffic to decline. Furthermore, an act of terrorism or war, or
the threat thereof, or any other unforeseen interruption of
commerce, could negatively impact our business by interfering
with our ability to obtain merchandise from foreign vendors.
Inability to obtain merchandise from our foreign vendors or
substitute other vendors, at similar costs and in a timely
manner, could adversely affect our operating results and
financial condition.
Item 1B. Unresolved
Staff Comments
None
We lease all of our store locations. Most of our stores are
located in shopping malls throughout the U.S., and, beginning in
2007, Canada. Most of our store leases have a term of ten years,
and require us to pay additional rent based on specified
percentages of sales, after we achieve specified annual sales
thresholds. Generally, our store leases do not contain extension
options. Our store leases typically include a pre-opening period
of approximately 60 days that allows us to take possession
of the property to construct the store. Typically rent payment
commences when the stores open. We recognize rent expense in our
consolidated financial statements on a straight-line basis over
the non-cancelable term of each individual underlying lease,
commencing when we take possession of the property. Generally,
our leases allow for termination by us after a certain period of
time if sales at that site do not exceed specified levels.
We lease 59,000 square feet of office space at
112 West 34th Street in New York, New York. The
facility is used as our corporate headquarters and for our
design, sourcing and production teams. This leases expires in
2016.
We also lease 40,000 square feet of office space at 201
Willowbrook Boulevard in Wayne, New Jersey. This facility is
used as administrative offices for finance, operations and
information systems personnel. These leases expire in 2009 and
2012.
In addition, we lease a 315,000 square foot distribution
and warehouse facility in South River, New Jersey. This facility
is used to warehouse inventory needed to replenish and
back-stock all of our stores, as well as to serve our general
warehousing needs. This lease expires in 2016. In January 2007,
we entered into a lease assumption agreement for a second
360,000 square foot distribution facility in Ontario,
California. We plan to begin operating this distribution center
in the second half of 2007. We believe that this will allow us
to more effectively flow goods, which enter the United States
through various ports on either coast, more quickly and
efficiently to our stores. The
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new distribution facility will also provide additional capacity
as we continue to grow our store base. This lease expires in
2015.
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Item 3.
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Legal
Proceedings
|
We are party to various litigation matters and proceedings in
the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of our
management, dispositions of these matters are not expected to
have a material adverse affect on our financial position,
results of operations or cash flows.
|
|
Item 4.
|
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
|
No matters were submitted to a vote of our shareholders during
the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.
PART II
|
|
Item 5.
|
Market
for the Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder
Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
|
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol ARO. The following table sets forth the
range of high and low sales prices of our common stock as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange since January 31,
2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market Price
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Fiscal 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4th quarter
|
|
$
|
37.06
|
|
|
$
|
27.70
|
|
3rd quarter
|
|
|
31.14
|
|
|
|
21.07
|
|
2nd quarter
|
|
|
33.01
|
|
|
|
23.63
|
|
1st quarter
|
|
|
31.60
|
|
|
|
27.90
|
|
Fiscal 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4th quarter
|
|
$
|
31.00
|
|
|
$
|
18.85
|
|
3rd quarter
|
|
|
29.81
|
|
|
|
18.05
|
|
2nd quarter
|
|
|
35.46
|
|
|
|
25.31
|
|
1st quarter
|
|
|
35.10
|
|
|
|
26.75
|
|
As of March 21, 2007, there were 58 stockholders of record.
However, when including others holding shares in broker accounts
under street name, we estimate the shareholder base at
approximately 25,107.
14
PERFORMANCE
GRAPH
The following graph shows the changes, for the period commencing
May 16, 2002 and ended February 2, 2007 (the last
trading day during our 2006 fiscal year), in the value of $100
invested in shares of our common stock, the Standard &
Poors MidCap 400 Composite Stock Price Index (the
S&P MidCap 400 Index) and the
Standard & Poors Apparel Retail Composite Index
(the S&P Apparel Retail Index). The plotted
points represent the closing price on the last trading day of
the fiscal year indicated.
CUMULATIVE
TOTAL RETURN
Based upon an initial investment of $100 on May 16,
2002
with dividends reinvested
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May-02
|
|
|
Jan-03
|
|
|
Jan-04
|
|
|
Jan-05
|
|
|
Jan-06
|
|
|
Jan-07
|
Aeropostale
Inc.
|
|
|
$
|
100
|
|
|
|
$
|
44
|
|
|
|
$
|
108
|
|
|
|
$
|
150
|
|
|
|
$
|
163
|
|
|
|
$
|
194
|
|
S&P 400
|
|
|
$
|
100
|
|
|
|
$
|
78
|
|
|
|
$
|
111
|
|
|
|
$
|
123
|
|
|
|
$
|
150
|
|
|
|
$
|
162
|
|
S&P Apparel
Retail
|
|
|
$
|
100
|
|
|
|
$
|
79
|
|
|
|
$
|
104
|
|
|
|
$
|
127
|
|
|
|
$
|
120
|
|
|
|
$
|
139
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright©
2007, Standard & Poors, a division of The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
We have not paid a dividend on our common stock during our last
two fiscal years, and we do not have any current intention to
pay a dividend on our common stock.
15
We repurchase our common stock from time to time under a stock
repurchase program. On March 14, 2007, our Board of
Directors approved a $100.0 million increase in repurchase
availability under the program, bringing total repurchase
authorization, since inception of the program, to
$350.0 million. The repurchase program may be modified or
terminated by the Board of Directors at any time, and there is
no expiration date for the program. The extent and timing of
repurchases will depend upon general business and market
conditions, stock prices, opening and closing of our stock
trading window, and liquidity and capital resource requirements
going forward. Our purchases of treasury stock for the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2006 and remaining availability pursuant to
our share repurchase program, including the additional
$100.0 million of availability that was approved on
March 14, 2007, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Approximate Dollar
|
|
|
|
Total Number
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Number of
|
|
|
Value of Shares
|
|
|
|
of Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Purchased
|
|
|
that may yet be
|
|
|
|
(or Units)
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
as Part of Publicly
|
|
|
Purchased Under the
|
|
|
|
Purchased
|
|
|
Price Paid
|
|
|
Announced Plans
|
|
|
Plans or Programs
|
|
Period
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
per Share
|
|
|
or Programs
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
October 29 to November 25,
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
185,864
|
|
November 26 to December 30,
2006
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
$
|
31.08
|
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
$
|
184,310
|
|
December 31 to
February 3, 2007
|
|
|
950,000
|
|
|
$
|
35.64
|
|
|
|
950,000
|
|
|
$
|
150,452
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
35.41
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
On March 14, 2007, our Board of Directors approved a
$100.0 million increase in repurchase availability under
the program, bringing total repurchase authorization, since
inception of the program, to $350.0 million. |
|
(b) |
|
The repurchase program may be modified or terminated by the
Board of Directors at any time, and there is no expiration date
for the program. |
16
|
|
Item 6.
|
Selected
Financial Data
|
The following selected financial data should be read in
conjunction with Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and with
our consolidated financial statements and other financial
information appearing elsewhere in this document:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended
|
|
|
|
February 3,
|
|
|
January 28,
|
|
|
January 29,
|
|
|
January 31,
|
|
|
February 1,
|
|
|
|
2007(*)
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except per share and store data)
|
|
|
Statements of Income
Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
1,413,208
|
|
|
$
|
1,204,347
|
|
|
$
|
964,212
|
|
|
$
|
734,868
|
|
|
$
|
550,904
|
|
Gross profit, as a percent of sales
|
|
|
32.2
|
%
|
|
|
30.1
|
%
|
|
|
33.2
|
%
|
|
|
31.3
|
%
|
|
|
29.5
|
%
|
SG&A, as a percent of sales
|
|
|
20.5
|
%
|
|
|
18.9
|
%
|
|
|
19.1
|
%
|
|
|
19.3
|
%
|
|
|
20.1
|
%
|
Net income, as a percent of sales
|
|
|
7.6
|
%
|
|
|
7.0
|
%
|
|
|
8.7
|
%
|
|
|
7.4
|
%
|
|
|
5.7
|
%
|
Net income
|
|
|
106,647
|
|
|
|
83,954
|
|
|
|
84,112
|
|
|
|
54,254
|
|
|
|
31,290
|
|
Preferred dividends
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
362
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income available to common
stockholders
|
|
$
|
106,647
|
|
|
$
|
83,954
|
|
|
$
|
84,112
|
|
|
$
|
54,254
|
|
|
$
|
30,928
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per common share
|
|
$
|
1.98
|
|
|
$
|
1.50
|
|
|
$
|
1.47
|
|
|
$
|
0.93
|
|
|
$
|
0.54
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selected Operating
Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of stores open at end of
period
|
|
|
742
|
|
|
|
671
|
|
|
|
561
|
|
|
|
459
|
|
|
|
367
|
|
Comparable store sales increase
|
|
|
2.0
|
%
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
8.7
|
%
|
|
|
6.6
|
%
|
|
|
6.6
|
%
|
Average store sales (in thousands)
|
|
$
|
1,924
|
|
|
$
|
1,890
|
|
|
$
|
1,849
|
|
|
$
|
1,728
|
|
|
$
|
1,651
|
|
Average square footage per store
|
|
|
3,540
|
|
|
|
3,537
|
|
|
|
3,512
|
|
|
|
3,511
|
|
|
|
3,541
|
|
Net sales per average square foot
|
|
$
|
543
|
|
|
$
|
534
|
|
|
$
|
526
|
|
|
$
|
491
|
|
|
$
|
471
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
|
|
February 3,
|
|
|
January 28,
|
|
|
January 29,
|
|
|
January 31,
|
|
|
February 1,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working capital
|
|
$
|
233,995
|
|
|
$
|
212,986
|
|
|
$
|
182,493
|
|
|
$
|
140,879
|
|
|
$
|
86,791
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
581,164
|
|
|
|
503,951
|
|
|
|
405,819
|
|
|
|
307,048
|
|
|
|
223,032
|
|
Redeemable preferred stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
312,116
|
|
|
|
284,790
|
|
|
|
238,251
|
|
|
|
185,693
|
|
|
|
127,959
|
|
Cash dividends declared per common
share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per share amounts have been restated to reflect a
three-for-two
split of our common stock that was affected in April 2004.
|
|
|
(*) |
|
53 week fiscal year. |
|
|
Item 7.
|
Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Introduction
|
Aéropostale, Inc. is a mall-based specialty retailer of
casual apparel and accessories. Our target customers are both
young women and young men from age 14 to 17, and we
provide our customers with a selection of high-quality,
active-oriented, fashion basic merchandise at compelling values
in a high-energy store environment. We maintain control over our
proprietary brand by designing and sourcing all of our own
merchandise. Our products
17
can be purchased in our stores, which sell Aéropostale
merchandise exclusively, and on-line through our
e-commerce
website, www.aeropostale.com. JimmyZ Surf Co.,
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Aéropostale, Inc., is a
California lifestyle-oriented brand targeting trend-aware young
women and men aged 18 to 25. As of February 3, 2007, we
operated 742 stores, consisting of 728 Aéropostale stores
in 47 states and 14 JimmyZ stores in 11 states,
in addition to www.aeropostale.com, our
e-commerce
site (see the section Growth Strategy in Item I
of this report for a further discussion).
Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31.
Fiscal 2006 was the
53-week
period ended February 3, 2007, fiscal 2005 was the
52-week
period ended January 28, 2006, and fiscal 2004 was the
52-week
period ended January 29, 2005. Fiscal 2007 will be the
52-week
period ending February 2, 2008.
The discussion in the following section is on a consolidated
basis, unless indicated otherwise.
Overview
We achieved net sales of $1,413.2 million during fiscal
2006 (53 weeks), an increase of $208.9 million or
17.3% from fiscal 2005 (52 weeks). This increase was
attributable to average per store square footage growth of 14%,
coupled with a 2.0% comparable store sales increase. Gross
profit, as a percentage of net sales, increased by
2.1 percentage points for fiscal 2006, primarily due to a
2.5 percentage point increase in merchandise margin, and
partially offset by a 0.4 percentage point increase in
depreciation and occupancy costs. Merchandise margin for fiscal
2006 was favorably impacted by $7.4 million, or by
0.5 percentage points, of vendor concessions, primarily
from an agreement with South Bay Apparel Inc., (see note 5
to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further
discussion). Selling, general and administrative expense, or
SG&A, as a percentage of net sales, increased by
1.6 percentage points in fiscal 2006, primarily due to a
0.5 percentage point increase in incentive compensation, a
0.3 percentage point increase in both stock-based
compensation and marketing costs, and a 0.2 percentage
point increase in store payroll. Other income of
$2.1 million in fiscal 2006 was the result of the
resolution of a dispute with a vendor regarding the enforcement
of our intellectual property rights. Interest income increased
by $3.6 million in fiscal 2006 due to increases in interest
rates and increases in cash and cash equivalents, together with
short-term investments. The effective tax rate was 39% for
fiscal 2006, compared with 39.6% for fiscal 2005. Net income for
fiscal 2006 was $106.6 million, or $1.98 per diluted
share, compared with net income of $84.0 million, or
$1.50 per diluted share, for fiscal 2005. The
above-mentioned vendor concessions favorably impacted net income
for fiscal 2006 by $4.5 million, or $0.08 per diluted
share.
As of February 3, 2007, we had working capital of
$234.0 million, cash and cash equivalents of
$200.1 million, short-term investments of
$76.2 million, and no third party debt outstanding.
Merchandise inventories increased by 10% as of February 3,
2007, compared to last year, and were constant on a per square
foot basis. Cash flows from operating activities were
$177.4 million for fiscal 2006. We operated 742 total
stores as of February 3, 2007, an increase of 11% from the
same period last year.
18
We use a number of key indicators of financial condition and
operating performance to evaluate the performance of our
business, including the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended
|
|
|
|
February 3,
|
|
|
January 28,
|
|
|
January 29,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Net sales (in millions)
|
|
$
|
1,413.2
|
|
|
$
|
1,204.3
|
|
|
$
|
964.2
|
|
Total store count at end of period
|
|
|
742
|
|
|
|
671
|
|
|
|
561
|
|
Comparable store count at end of
period
|
|
|
664
|
|
|
|
550
|
|
|
|
448
|
|
Net sales growth
|
|
|
17.3
|
%
|
|
|
24.9
|
%
|
|
|
31.2
|
%
|
Comparable store sales growth
|
|
|
2.0
|
%
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
8.7
|
%
|
Comparable average unit retail
change
|
|
|
3.0
|
%
|
|
|
(8.0
|
)%
|
|
|
(2.2
|
)%
|
Comparable units per sales
transaction change
|
|
|
(1.5
|
)%
|
|
|
1.8
|
%
|
|
|
5.5
|
%
|
Comparable sales transaction growth
|
|
|
0.5
|
%
|
|
|
10.4
|
%
|
|
|
5.4
|
%
|
Net sales per average square foot
|
|
$
|
543
|
|
|
$
|
534
|
|
|
$
|
526
|
|
Gross profit (in millions)
|
|
$
|
455.4
|
|
|
$
|
362.5
|
|
|
$
|
319.9
|
|
Income from operations (in
millions)
|
|
$
|
167.8
|
|
|
$
|
135.4
|
|
|
$
|
135.9
|
|
Diluted earnings per share
|
|
$
|
1.98
|
|
|
$
|
1.50
|
|
|
$
|
1.47
|
|
Average square footage growth
|
|
|
14
|
%
|
|
|
22
|
%
|
|
|
23
|
%
|
Increase in total inventory at end
of period
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
13
|
%
|
|
|
31
|
%
|
Change in inventory per square
foot at end of period
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
(6
|
)%
|
|
|
7
|
%
|
Percentages of net sales by
category
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Womens
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
61
|
%
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
Mens
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
|
|
26
|
%
|
Accessories
|
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
|
14
|
%
|
|
|
14
|
%
|
Results
of Operations
The following table sets forth our results of operations
expressed as a percentage of net sales. We also use this
information to evaluate the performance of our business:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended
|
|
|
|
February 3,
|
|
|
January 28,
|
|
|
January 29,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
32.2
|
|
|
|
30.1
|
|
|
|
33.2
|
|
SG&A
|
|
|
20.5
|
|
|
|
18.9
|
|
|
|
19.1
|
|
Other income
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
11.9
|
|
|
|
11.2
|
|
|
|
14.1
|
|
Interest income, net
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
12.4
|
|
|
|
11.5
|
|
|
|
14.2
|
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
|
5.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
7.5
|
%
|
|
|
7.0
|
%
|
|
|
8.7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales
Net sales consist of sales from comparable stores and
non-comparable stores, and from our
e-commerce
business. A store is included in comparable store sales after
14 months of operation. We consider a remodeled or
relocated store with more than a 25% change in square feet to be
a new store. Prior period sales from stores that have closed are
not included in comparable store sales, nor are sales from our
e-commerce
business.
19
Net sales increased by $208.9 million, or by 17.3% in
fiscal 2006 (53 weeks), as compared to fiscal 2005
(52 weeks). Average square footage growth of 14% drove the
net sales increase, as well as an increase in comparable store
sales. Comparable store sales increased by $22.6 million,
or by 2.0%, reflecting comparable store sales increases in our
young mens and accessories categories and a slight
decrease in our young womens category. The comparable
store sales increase reflected a 3.0% increase in average unit
retail, a 0.5% increase in the number of sales transactions, and
a 1.5% decrease in units per sales transaction. The increase in
the average unit retail reflects lower promotional activity this
year. Non-comparable store sales increased by
$186.3 million, or by 14.3%, primarily due to 71 more
stores open at the end of fiscal 2006 versus fiscal 2005. The
fifty-third week accounted for $16.4 million of the net
sales increase during fiscal 2006.
Net sales increased by $240.1 million, or by 24.9% in
fiscal 2005. Average square footage growth of 20% drove the net
sales increase, as well as an increase in comparable store
sales. Comparable store sales increased by $31.2 million,
or by 3.5%, reflecting comparable store sales increases in all
of our categories: young womens, young mens, and
accessories. The comparable store sales increase reflected a
1.8% increase in units per transaction, a 10.4% increase in the
number of sales transactions, and an 8.0% decrease in average
unit retail. Due to lower than expected sales performance during
the third quarter of fiscal 2005, we increased our promotional
activity throughout the balance of fiscal 2005 in an effort to
stimulate customer demand for our merchandise offerings.
Non-comparable store sales increased by $208.9 million, or
by 21.4%, primarily due to 110 more stores open at the end of
fiscal 2005 versus fiscal 2004.
Cost
of Sales and Gross Profit
Cost of sales includes costs related to merchandise sold,
including inventory valuation adjustments, distribution and
warehousing, freight from the distribution center and warehouse
to the stores, payroll for our design, buying and merchandising
departments, and occupancy costs. Occupancy costs include rent,
contingent rents, common area maintenance, real estate taxes,
utilities, repairs, maintenance and all depreciation.
Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, increased by
2.1 percentage points in fiscal 2006, primarily due to a
2.5 percentage point increase in merchandise margin, and
partially offset by a 0.4 percentage point increase in
depreciation, primarily as a result of store growth and
strategic investments, and occupancy costs. Merchandise margin
for fiscal 2006 was favorably impacted by $7.4 million, or
by 0.5 percentage points, of vendor concessions, primarily
from an agreement with South Bay Apparel, Inc. (see note 5
to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further
discussion). The remaining increase in merchandise margin was
primarily due to decreased promotional activity.
Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, decreased by
3.1 percentage points in fiscal 2005. Gross profit for
fiscal 2004 was unfavorably impacted by a one-time, non-cash
pre-tax rent charge of $4.7 million, or 0.5 percentage
points, related to a correction to our lease accounting policies
associated with the timing of rent expense (see note 1 to
the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further
discussion). The decrease in gross profit was attributable to a
3.0 percentage point decline in merchandise margin, and a
0.3 percentage point increase in occupancy costs and
depreciation. The decline in merchandise margin was primarily
attributable to significantly higher promotional activity.
SG&A
SG&A includes costs related to selling expenses, store
management and corporate expenses such as payroll and employee
benefits, marketing expenses, employment taxes, information
technology maintenance costs and expenses, insurance and legal
expenses, and store pre-opening and other corporate expenses.
Store pre-opening expenses include store payroll, grand opening
event marketing, travel, supplies and other store pre-opening
expenses.
SG&A increased by $62.7 million, or by
1.6 percentage points, as a percentage of net sales, during
fiscal 2006. The increase in SG&A was due largely to a
$28.0 million increase in payroll and benefits, consisting
primarily of store payroll from new store growth. The remainder
of the increase was predominantly due to increased store
transaction costs of $8.8 million, resulting from both
sales growth and new store growth, a $7.4 million increase
in incentive compensation, a $5.9 million increase in
marketing costs and a $4.1 million increase in stock-based
20
compensation, primarily as a result of the adoption of
SFAS No. 123(R) (see note 10 to the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion). The
SG&A increase during fiscal 2006, as a percentage of net
sales, was primarily due to a 0.5 percentage point increase
in incentive compensation, a 0.3 percentage point increase
in both stock-based compensation and marketing costs, and a
0.2 percentage point increase in store payroll.
SG&A increased by $43.1 million in fiscal 2005, due
largely to a $29.6 million increase in payroll and
benefits, consisting primarily of store payroll from new store
growth. The remainder of the increase was predominantly due to
increased store transaction costs of $8.6 million,
resulting from both sales growth and new store growth, and a
$3.0 million increase in marketing costs. SG&A, as a
percentage of net sales, decreased by 0.2 percentage
points, primarily due to a 0.6 percentage point reduction
in incentive compensation and a 0.3 percentage point
decrease in benefit costs. These savings were partially offset
by a 0.3 percentage point increase in store transaction
expenses and a 0.2 percentage point increase in store
payroll.
Other
Income
We recognized $2.1 million in other income during the
second quarter of 2006 in connection with the resolution of a
dispute with a vendor regarding the enforcement of our
intellectual property rights.
Interest
Income
Interest income, net of interest expense, increased by
$3.4 million in fiscal 2006 and by $2.2 million in
fiscal 2005. Increases in interest rates and increases in cash
and cash equivalents, together with short-term investments, were
the primary drivers of the increase in net interest income. Cash
and cash equivalents, together with short-term investments,
increased by $51.0 million at the end of fiscal 2006, and
by $42.9 million at the end of fiscal 2005.
Income
Taxes
Our effective income tax rate was 39.0% for fiscal 2006,
compared to 39.6% for fiscal 2005, and 38.8% for fiscal 2004.
The decrease in the effective income tax rate during fiscal 2006
was primarily due to a decrease in certain net permanent
differences. The increase in the effective income tax rate
during fiscal 2005 was primarily due to an increase in the
effective state income tax rate.
Net
Income and Earnings Per Share
Net income was $106.6 million, or $1.98 per diluted
share, for fiscal 2006, compared with net income of
$84.0 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, for fiscal
2005 and net income of $84.1 million, or $1.47 per
diluted share, for fiscal 2004.
Net income for fiscal 2006 was favorably impacted by
$4.5 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, resulting
from the recognition of vendor concessions, primarily from an
agreement with South Bay Apparel, Inc. (see note 5 to the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further
discussion). Net income for fiscal 2006 was also favorably
impacted by $1.3 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, from
the above mentioned other income. The previously discussed
adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) unfavorably impacted net
income for fiscal 2006 by $2.2 million, or $0.04 per
diluted share. Net income for fiscal 2004 was unfavorably
impacted by $2.8 million, or by $0.05 per diluted
share, from the above mentioned cumulative rent charge.
Consolidated net income included net losses from our
JimmyZ subsidiary of $6.7 million, or $0.12 per
diluted share, for fiscal 2006 compared with net losses of
$4.7 million, or $0.8 per diluted share, for fiscal
2005 and none in fiscal 2004.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Our cash requirements are primarily for working capital, the
construction of new stores, the remodeling of existing stores,
and to improve and enhance our information technology systems
and supply chain. Due to the seasonality of our business, we
have historically realized a significant portion of our cash
flows from operating activities during the second half of the
fiscal year. Most recently, our cash requirements have been met
primarily through cash and cash equivalents on hand during the
first half of the year, and through cash flows from operating
21
activities during the second half of the year. We expect to
continue to meet our cash requirements primarily through cash
flows from operating activities, existing cash and cash
equivalents, and short-term investments. In addition, we have a
revolving credit facility (the credit facility) that
provides for a $50.0 million base borrowing availability,
and can be increased to an aggregate of $75.0 million if we
so request (see note 8 to the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for a further description). We have not had
outstanding borrowings under the credit facility since November
2002. As of February 3, 2007, we had working capital of
$234.0 million, cash and cash equivalents of
$200.0 million, short-term investments of
$76.2 million, and no third party debt outstanding.
The following table sets forth our cash flows for the period
indicated (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended
|
|
|
|
February 3,
|
|
|
January 28,
|
|
|
January 29,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating
activities
|
|
$
|
177,445
|
|
|
$
|
144,384
|
|
|
$
|
136,975
|
|
Net cash used for investing
activities
|
|
|
(101,135
|
)
|
|
|
(2,102
|
)
|
|
|
(124,301
|
)
|
Net cash used for financing
activities
|
|
|
(81,481
|
)
|
|
|
(43,175
|
)
|
|
|
(44,902
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
(5,171
|
)
|
|
$
|
99,107
|
|
|
$
|
(32,228
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
Activities
Cash flows from operating activities, our principal form of
liquidity on a full-year basis, increased by $33.1 million
in fiscal 2006 and increased by $7.4 million in fiscal
2005, as compared to the prior fiscal year. The primary
components of cash flows from operations for fiscal 2006 were
net income, as adjusted for depreciation and amortization and
other non-cash items, of $137.9 million, and tenant
allowances from landlords of $13.4 million included in
accrued expenses and other liabilities. Total inventories
increased by 10% as of February 3, 2007 versus
January 28, 2007, and were constant on a per square foot
basis for the same periods. In accordance with the provisions of
SFAS No. 123®,
excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation of
$7.6 million were reported as a financing activity for
fiscal 2006. Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
of $4.8 million in fiscal 2005 and $12.9 million in
fiscal 2004 were reported as an operating activity.
The primary components of cash flows from operations for fiscal
2005 were net income, as adjusted for non-cash items, of
$111.8 million, tenant allowances received from landlords
of $21.1 million, and excess tax benefits from stock-based
compensation of $4.8 million. The primary components of
cash flows from operations for fiscal 2004 were net income, as
adjusted for non-cash items, of $106.3 million, tenant
allowances received from landlords of $16.7 million, and
excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation.
Investing
Activities
We invested $44.9 million in capital expenditures in fiscal
2006, primarily for the construction of 74 new Aéropostale
stores, to remodel 15 existing stores, and for investments in
information technology and for our distribution center. Our
future capital requirements will depend primarily on the number
of new stores we open, the number of existing stores we remodel
and the timing of these expenditures. We plan to invest
approximately $85.0 million in capital expenditures in
fiscal 2007. These plans include investments of approximately
$44.0 million to open approximately 85 new Aéropostale
stores in our new store format and approximately
$12.0 million to remodel approximately 22 existing stores
to our new store format. These plans also include investments of
approximately $11.0 million to open a second distribution
facility, approximately $6.0 million to complete the
rollout of upgraded point of sale systems to our store chain,
and for certain other information technology investments.
We had $76.2 million in short-term investments as of
February 3, 2007, consisting of auction rate debt and
preferred stock securities. Auction rate securities are term
securities that earn income at a rate that is periodically
reset, typically within 35 days, to reflect current market
conditions through an auction process. As of February 3,
2007, these securities had contractual maturities ranging from
2022 through 2040. These securities are classified as
available-for-sale
securities under the provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards, or
22
SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in
Debt and Equity Securities. Auction rate securities have
been included in short-term investments in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements.
Financing
Activities
We repurchase our common stock from time to time under a stock
repurchase program. On March 14, 2007, our Board of
Directors approved a $100 million increase in repurchase
availability under the program, bringing total repurchase
authorization, since inception of the program, to
$350 million. The repurchase program may be modified or
terminated by the Board of Directors at any time, and there is
no expiration date for the program. The extent and timing of
repurchases will depend upon general business and market
conditions, stock prices, opening and closing of our stock
trading window, and liquidity and capital resource requirements
going forward. We repurchased 3.1 million shares of our
common stock for $91.4 million during fiscal 2006,
1.8 million shares for $44.5 million during fiscal
2005, and 1.8 million shares for $45.9 million during
fiscal 2004. We repurchased 7.7 million shares for
$199.5 million since the inception of the repurchase
program through February 3, 2007, with $150.5 million
of repurchase availability remaining under the program as of
that date, including the additional $100 million of
availability that was approved on March 14, 2007.
We have a revolving credit facility (the credit
facility) with Bank of America, N.A., which allows us to
borrow or obtain letters of credit up to an aggregate of
$50.0 million, with letters of credit having a
sub-limit of
$15.0 million (see note 8 to the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for a further discussion). The amount of
available credit can be increased to an aggregate of
$75.0 million if we so request. We had no amounts
outstanding under the credit facility at either February 3,
2007 or January 28, 2006, and no stand-by or commercial
letters of credit issued under the credit facility. As of
February 3, 2007, we were in compliance with all covenants
under the credit facility. We are required to pay an annual
credit facility fee of $25,000. In addition, we have not had
outstanding borrowings under the credit facility since November
2002.
We have not issued any letters of credit for the purchase of
merchandise inventory or any capital expenditures.
Inflation
We do not believe that our sales revenue or operating results
have been materially impacted by inflation during the past three
fiscal years. There can be no assurance, however, that our sales
revenue or operating results will not be impacted by inflation
in the future.
Contractual
Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of
February 3, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments Due by Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less Than
|
|
|
1-3
|
|
|
3-5
|
|
|
More Than
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
Years
|
|
|
Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Contractual Obligations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employment agreements
|
|
$
|
4,767
|
|
|
$
|
2,207
|
|
|
$
|
2,560
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Event sponsorship and advertising
agreement
|
|
|
3,530
|
|
|
|
1,548
|
|
|
|
1,982
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating leases
|
|
|
552,150
|
|
|
|
76,163
|
|
|
|
151,239
|
|
|
|
135,413
|
|
|
|
189,335
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total contractual obligations
|
|
$
|
560,447
|
|
|
$
|
79,918
|
|
|
$
|
155,781
|
|
|
$
|
135,413
|
|
|
$
|
189,335
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The operating leases included in the above table do not include
contingent rent based upon sales volume, which represented
approximately 17% of minimum lease obligations in fiscal 2006,
or variable costs such as maintenance, insurance and taxes,
which represented approximately 62% of minimum lease obligations
in fiscal 2006.
Our open purchase orders are cancelable without penalty and are
therefore not included in the above table.
We have agreed to continue purchasing merchandise from South Bay
Apparel, Inc. through July 2, 2007, the date the agreement
with them terminates. As of February 3, 2007, there was
approximately $16.2 million in
23
Aeropostale inventory remaining at South Bay Apparel, Inc. (see
note 5 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements for a further discussion).
In addition to the above table, we project making a benefit
payment of approximately $13.3 million from our
supplementary executive retirement plan in 2010, which reflects
expected future service, and assumes retirement at age 65
(see note 11 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for a further discussion).
The employment agreements in the above table do not include the
three-year employment agreement with Mindy C. Meads, our new
President and Chief Merchandising Officer, effective
March 16, 2007 which provides for a minimum of
$2.9 million, comprised of base salary and guaranteed bonus
over the three-year period.
There were no financial guarantees outstanding as of
February 3, 2007. We have not provided any financial
guarantees, other than the unauthorized guaranty that was
executed by Christopher L. Finazzo, our then Executive Vice
President and Chief Merchandising Officer, that was revoked and
terminated on December 5, 2006 (see note 5 to the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further
discussion). We had no commercial commitments outstanding as of
February 3, 2007.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
Other than operating lease commitments set forth in the table
above, we are not a party to any material off-balance sheet
financing arrangements. We have not created, and are not a party
to, any special-purpose or off-balance sheet entities for the
purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating our
business. We do not have any arrangements or relationships with
entities that are not consolidated into the financial statements
that are reasonably likely to materially affect our liquidity or
the availability of capital resources. As of February 3,
2007, we have not issued any letters of credit for the purchase
of merchandise inventory or any capital expenditures.
Critical
Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States. The preparation of these financial statements
requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions about
future events that impact amounts reported in our consolidated
financial statements and related notes. We base these estimates
on historical experience and on other factors that we believe to
be reasonable under the circumstances. Since future events and
their impact cannot be determined with certainty, actual results
could differ materially from those estimated and could have a
material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Our accounting policies are described in note 1 of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. We believe that the
following are our most critical accounting estimates that
include significant judgments and estimates used in the
preparation of our consolidated financial statements. These
accounting policies and estimates are constantly reevaluated,
and adjustments would be made when facts and circumstances
require. Historically, we have found our application of
accounting estimates to be appropriate, and actual results have
not differed materially from those estimated.
Merchandise
Inventory
Merchandise inventory consists of finished goods and is valued
utilizing the cost method at lower of cost or market on a
weighted-average basis. We use estimates during interim periods
to record a provision for inventory shortage. We also make
certain assumptions regarding future demand and net realizable
selling price in order to assess that our inventory is recorded
properly at the lower of cost or market. These assumptions are
based on both historical experience and current information. We
believe that the carrying value of merchandise inventory is
appropriate as of February 3, 2007. However, actual results
may differ materially from those estimated and could have a
material impact on our consolidated financial statements. A 10%
difference in our estimate to value inventory at lower of cost
or market as of February 3, 2007 would have impacted net
income by $0.8 million for the fiscal year ended
February 3, 2007.
Defined
Benefit Pension Plans
We maintain a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, or SERP,
which is a non-qualified defined benefit plan for certain
officers. The plan is non-contributory, is not funded and
provides benefits based on years of service
24
and compensation during employment. Pension expense is
determined using various actuarial cost methods to estimate the
total benefits ultimately payable to officers, and this cost is
allocated to service periods. The actuarial assumptions used to
calculate pension costs are reviewed annually. We believe that
these assumptions have been appropriate and that, based on these
assumptions, the SERP liability of $15.1 million is
appropriately stated as of February 3, 2007. However,
actual results may differ materially from those estimated and
could have a material impact on our consolidated financial
statements. If we had changed the expected discount rate by 0.5%
in 2006, pension expense would have changed by less than
$50,000. We adopted SFAS No. 158 on February 3,
2007 (see the section Recent Accounting Developments in
note 1 for a further discussion regarding the impact of
adoption).
Long-Lived
Assets
We periodically evaluate the need to recognize impairment losses
relating to long-lived assets. Long-lived assets are evaluated
for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that an asset may have been impaired. Factors we
consider important that could trigger an impairment review
include the following:
|
|
|
|
|
significant changes in the manner of our use of assets or the
strategy for our overall business;
|
|
|
|
significant negative industry or economic trends;
|
|
|
|
store closings; or
|
|
|
|
under-performing business trends.
|
In evaluating an asset for recoverability, we estimate the
future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset
and eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash
flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, we would
write the asset down to fair value and we would record an
impairment charge, accordingly. We recorded an asset impairment
charge of $0.1 million during fiscal 2006. We believe that
the carrying values of finite-lived assets, and their useful
lives, are appropriate as of February 3, 2007. However,
actual results may differ materially from those estimated and
could have a material impact on our consolidated financial
statements.
Income
Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with
SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes.
Under SFAS No. 109, income taxes are recognized for
the amount of taxes payable for the current year and deferred
tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequence of
events that have been recognized differently in the financial
statements than for tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are established using statutory tax rates and are
adjusted for tax rate changes. We consider accounting for income
taxes critical to our operations because management is required
to make significant subjective judgments in developing our
provision for income taxes, including the determination of
deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any valuation
allowances that may be required against deferred tax assets.
We record liabilities for tax contingencies when it is probable
that a liability to a taxing authority has been incurred and the
amount of the contingency can be reasonably estimated. Tax
contingency liabilities are adjusted for changes in
circumstances and additional uncertainties, such as significant
amendments to existing tax law. Liabilities for tax
contingencies were estimated at $2.6 million as of
February 3, 2007. However, actual results may differ
materially from those estimated and could have a material impact
on our consolidated financial statements.
Recent
Accounting Developments
See the section Recent Accounting Developments
included in note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for a discussion of recent accounting
developments and their impact on our consolidated financial
statements.
|
|
Item 7A.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
|
As of February 3, 2007, we had no borrowings outstanding
under our credit facility and we have not had any borrowings
outstanding under our credit facility since November 2002. To
the extent that we may borrow pursuant to our credit facility in
the future, we may be exposed to market risk related to interest
rate fluctuations. Additionally, we have not entered into
financial instruments for hedging purposes.
25
|
|
Item 8.
|
Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
|
|
|
27 and 28
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
|
|
33
|
|
26
REPORT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Aéropostale,
Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of
Aéropostale, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the
Company) as of February 3, 2007 and
January 28, 2006, and the related consolidated statements
of income and comprehensive income, stockholders equity,
and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
February 3, 2007. Our audits also included the financial
statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These
financial statements and financial statement schedule are the
responsibility of the Companys management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and the financial statement schedule based on our
audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the
Company as of February 3, 2007 and January 28, 2006,
and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended February 3, 2007, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such
consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in
relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as
a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the
information set forth therein.
As discussed in Note 1 to the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based
Payment, as revised, effective January 29, 2006. Also,
as discussed in Note 1 to the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers Accounting
for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans,
relating to the recognition and related disclosure provisions,
effective February 3, 2007.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the
effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting as of February 3, 2007, based on the
criteria established in Internal Control Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of
the Treadway Commission and our report dated April 2, 2007
expressed an unqualified opinion on managements assessment
of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the
effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting.
/s/ Deloitte &
Touche LLP
New York, New York
April 2, 2007
27
REPORT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Aéropostale,
Inc.:
We have audited managements assessment, included in the
accompanying Managements Report on Internal Control
over Financial Reporting, that Aéropostale and its
subsidiaries (the Company) maintained effective
internal control over financial reporting as of February 3,
2007, based on criteria established in Internal
Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The
Companys management is responsible for maintaining
effective internal control over financial reporting and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on managements assessment and an opinion on the
effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control
over financial reporting was maintained in all material
respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of
internal control over financial reporting, evaluating
managements assessment, testing and evaluating the design
and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing
such other procedures as we considered necessary in the
circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable
basis for our opinions.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a
process designed by, or under the supervision of, the
companys principal executive and principal financial
officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected
by the Companys board of directors, management, and other
personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. A companys
internal control over financial reporting includes those
policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance
of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the
company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions
are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company
are being made only in accordance with authorizations of
management and directors of the company; and (3) provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the
companys assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over
financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or
improper management override of controls, material misstatements
due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a
timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the
effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting
to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may
become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the
degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may
deteriorate.
In our opinion, managements assessment that the Company
maintained effective internal control over financial reporting
as of February 3, 2007, is fairly stated, in all material
respects, based on the criteria established in Internal
Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Also in
our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects,
effective internal control over financial reporting as of
February 3, 2007, based on the criteria established in
Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the
consolidated financial statements and financial statement
schedule as of and for the year ended February 3, 2007, of
the Company and our report dated April 2, 2007, expressed
an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and the
financial statement schedule and includes an explanatory
paragraph relating to the Companys adoption of Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R),
Share-Based Payment, as revised, effective
January 29, 2006, and the Companys adoption of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158,
Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and
Other Postretirement Plans, relating to the recognition and
related disclosure provisions, effective February 3, 2007.
/s/ Deloitte &
Touche LLP
New York, New York
April 2, 2007
28
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 3,
|
|
|
January 28,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
200,064
|
|
|
$
|
205,235
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
76,223
|
|
|
|
20,037
|
|
Merchandise inventory
|
|
|
101,476
|
|
|
|
91,908
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
12,175
|
|
|
|
12,314
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
1,185
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
7,670
|
|
|
|
9,845
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
398,793
|
|
|
|
339,339
|
|
Fixtures, equipment and
improvements net
|
|
|
175,591
|
|
|
|
160,229
|
|
Intangible assets
|
|
|
1,400
|
|
|
|
2,455
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
3,784
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
1,596
|
|
|
|
1,928
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
581,164
|
|
|
$
|
503,951
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$
|
63,918
|
|
|
$
|
57,165
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,195
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
100,880
|
|
|
|
63,993
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
164,798
|
|
|
|
126,353
|
|
Deferred rent and tenant allowances
|
|
|
88,344
|
|
|
|
81,499
|
|
Retirement benefit plan liabilities
|
|
|
15,906
|
|
|
|
8,654
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,655
|
|
Commitments and contingent
liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock par
value, $0.01 per share; 200,000 shares authorized,
59,332 and 58,598 shares issued
|
|
|
593
|
|
|
|
586
|
|
Preferred stock par
value, $0.01 per share; 5,000 shares authorized, no
shares issued or outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
101,429
|
|
|
|
88,213
|
|
Other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(5,274
|
)
|
|
|
(1,557
|
)
|
Deferred compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,577
|
)
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
414,916
|
|
|
|
308,269
|
|
Treasury stock at cost (7,687 and
4,548 shares)
|
|
|
(199,548
|
)
|
|
|
(108,144
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
312,116
|
|
|
|
284,790
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and
stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
581,164
|
|
|
$
|
503,951
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
29
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended
|
|
|
|
February 3,
|
|
|
January 28,
|
|
|
January 29,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
1,413,208
|
|
|
$
|
1,204,347
|
|
|
$
|
964,212
|
|
Cost of sales (includes certain
buying, occupancy and warehousing expenses)
|
|
|
957,791
|
|
|
|
841,872
|
|
|
|
644,305
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
455,417
|
|
|
|
362,475
|
|
|
|
319,907
|
|
Selling, general and
administrative expenses
|
|
|
289,736
|
|
|
|
227,044
|
|
|
|
183,977
|
|
Other income
|
|
|
2,085
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
167,766
|
|
|
|
135,431
|
|
|
|
135,930
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
7,064
|
|
|
|
3,670
|
|
|
|
1,438
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
174,830
|
|
|
|
139,101
|
|
|
|
137,368
|
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
68,183
|
|
|
|
55,147
|
|
|
|
53,256
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
106,647
|
|
|
$
|
83,954
|
|
|
$
|
84,112
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per common share
|
|
$
|
2.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.53
|
|
|
$
|
1.51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per common share
|
|
$
|
1.98
|
|
|
$
|
1.50
|
|
|
$
|
1.47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average basic shares
|
|
|
53,285
|
|
|
|
54,994
|
|
|
|
55,735
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average diluted shares
|
|
|
53,758
|
|
|
|
55,937
|
|
|
|
57,255
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended
|
|
|
|
February 3,
|
|
|
January 28,
|
|
|
January 29,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
106,647
|
|
|
$
|
83,954
|
|
|
$
|
84,112
|
|
Minimum pension liability (net of
tax of $69, $494, and $92)
|
|
|
110
|
|
|
|
(740
|
)
|
|
|
(145
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
$
|
106,757
|
|
|
$
|
83,214
|
|
|
$
|
83,967
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
30
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock,
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
at Cost
|
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|
Retained
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Loss
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
BALANCE, JANUARY 31, 2004
|
|
|
56,795
|
|
|
$
|
568
|
|
|
$
|
63,289
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
(945
|
)
|
|
$
|
(17,695
|
)
|
|
$
|
(672
|
)
|
|
$
|
140,203
|
|
|
$
|
185,693
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
84,112
|
|
|
|
84,112
|
|
Stock options exercised
|
|
|
1,320
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
1,016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,029
|
|
Excess tax benefit from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,893
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,893
|
|
Repurchase of common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,804
|
)
|
|
|
(45,931
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(45,931
|
)
|
Issuance of non-vested stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,871
|
|
|
|
(1,871
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
600
|
|
Minimum pension liability (net of
tax of $92)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(145
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(145
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE, JANUARY 29, 2005
|
|
|
58,115
|
|
|
|
581
|
|
|
|
79,069
|
|
|
|
(1,271
|
)
|
|
|
(2,749
|
)
|
|
|
(63,626
|
)
|
|
|
(817
|
)
|
|
|
224,315
|
|
|
|
238,251
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,954
|
|
|
|
83,954
|
|
Stock options exercised
|
|
|
477
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
1,338
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,343
|
|
Excess tax benefit from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,759
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,759
|
|
Repurchase of common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,799
|
)
|
|
|
(44,518
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(44,518
|
)
|
Net issuance of non-vested stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,047
|
|
|
|
(3,047
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,741
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,741
|
|
Vesting of stock
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum pension liability (net of
tax of $494)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(740
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(740
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE, JANUARY 28, 2006
|
|
|
58,598
|
|
|
|
586
|
|
|
|
88,213
|
|
|
|
(2,577
|
)
|
|
|
(4,548
|
)
|
|
|
(108,144
|
)
|
|
|
(1,557
|
)
|
|
|
308,269
|
|
|
|
284,790
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
106,647
|
|
|
|
106,647
|
|
Stock options exercised
|
|
|
719
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
2,347
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,354
|
|
Minimum pension liability (net of
tax of $69)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
110
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
110
|
|
Adoption of
SFAS No. 123(R)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,577
|
)
|
|
|
2577
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excess tax benefit from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,568
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,568
|
|
Adoption of SFAS No. 158
(net of tax of $2,413)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,827
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,827
|
)
|
Repurchase of common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,139
|
)
|
|
|
(91,404
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(91,404
|
)
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,878
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,878
|
|
Vesting of stock
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE, FEBRUARY 3, 2007
|
|
|
59,332
|
|
|
$
|
593
|
|
|
$
|
101,429
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
(7,687
|
)
|
|
$
|
(199,548
|
)
|
|
$
|
(5,274
|
)
|
|
$
|
414,916
|
|
|
$
|
312,116
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
31
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended
|
|
|
|
February 3,
|
|
|
January 28,
|
|
|
January 29,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Cash Flows Provided By
Operating Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
106,647
|
|
|
$
|
83,954
|
|
|
$
|
84,112
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net
income to net cash from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
30,029
|
|
|
|
22,347
|
|
|
|
16,635
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
5,878
|
|
|
|
1,741
|
|
|
|
600
|
|
Amortization of tenant allowances
and above market leases
|
|
|
(9,195
|
)
|
|
|
(7,756
|
)
|
|
|
(6,717
|
)
|
Amortization of deferred rent
expense
|
|
|
2,333
|
|
|
|
3,716
|
|
|
|
7,474
|
|
Pension expense
|
|
|
2,246
|
|
|
|
1,672
|
|
|
|
3,008
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
(10,474
|
)
|
|
|
6,100
|
|
|
|
2,409
|
|
Excess tax benefits from
stock-based compensation
|
|
|
(7,568
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,197
|
)
|
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Merchandise inventory
|
|
|
(9,568
|
)
|
|
|
(10,670
|
)
|
|
|
(19,431
|
)
|
Prepaid expenses and other assets
|
|
|
2,646
|
|
|
|
(7,059
|
)
|
|
|
(3,741
|
)
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
6,753
|
|
|
|
12,307
|
|
|
|
14,381
|
|
Accrued expenses and other
liabilities
|
|
|
57,718
|
|
|
|
38,032
|
|
|
|
39,442
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating
activities
|
|
|
177,445
|
|
|
|
144,384
|
|
|
|
136,975
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows Used For Investing
Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of fixtures, equipment
and improvements
|
|
|
(44,949
|
)
|
|
|
(58,289
|
)
|
|
|
(46,677
|
)
|
Purchase of short-term investments
|
|
|
(513,909
|
)
|
|
|
(310,901
|
)
|
|
|
(441,386
|
)
|
Sale of short-term investments
|
|
|
457,723
|
|
|
|
367,088
|
|
|
|
365,162
|
|
Purchase of intangible assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,400
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used for investing
activities
|
|
|
(101,135
|
)
|
|
|
(2,102
|
)
|
|
|
(124,301
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows Used For Financing
Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of treasury stock
|
|
|
(91,403
|
)
|
|
|
(44,518
|
)
|
|
|
(45,931
|
)
|
Proceeds from stock options
exercised
|
|
|
2,354
|
|
|
|
1,343
|
|
|
|
1,029
|
|
Excess tax benefits from
stock-based compensation
|
|
|
7,568
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used for financing
activities
|
|
|
(81,481
|
)
|
|
|
(43,175
|
)
|
|
|
(44,902
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (Decrease) Increase In Cash
And Cash Equivalents
|
|
|
(5,171
|
)
|
|
|
99,107
|
|
|
|
(32,228
|
)
|
Cash And Cash Equivalents,
Beginning Of Year
|
|
|
205,235
|
|
|
|
106,128
|
|
|
|
138,356
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash And Cash Equivalents, End
Of Year
|
|
$
|
200,064
|
|
|
$
|
205,235
|
|
|
$
|
106,128
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Disclosures Of
Cash Flow Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes paid
|
|
$
|
48,352
|
|
|
$
|
37,274
|
|
|
$
|
36,456
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excess tax benefit from
stock-based compensation included in change in accrued expenses
and other liabilities
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
4,759
|
|
|
$
|
12,893
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-cash operating and investing
activities
|
|
$
|
1,984
|
|
|
$
|
1,541
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
32
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
1.
|
Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies
|
Organization
References to the Company, we,
us, or our means Aéropostale, Inc.
and its subsidiaries, except as expressly indicated or unless
the context otherwise requires. We are a mall-based specialty
retailer of casual apparel and accessories for young women and
men. As of February 3, 2007, we operated 742 stores,
consisting of 728 Aéropostale stores in 47 states
and 14 JimmyZ stores in 11 states.
Fiscal
Year
Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31.
Fiscal 2006 was the
53-week
period ended February 3, 2007, fiscal 2005 was the
52-week
period ended January 28, 2006, and fiscal 2004 was the
52-week
period ended January 29, 2005. Fiscal 2007 will be the
52-week
period ending February 2, 2008.
Use of
Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ
from those estimated.
The most significant estimates made by management include those
made in the areas of merchandise inventory, defined benefit
retirement plans, long-lived assets, and income taxes.
Management periodically evaluates estimates used in the
preparation of the consolidated financial statements for
continued reasonableness. Appropriate adjustments, if any, to
the estimates used are made prospectively based on such periodic
evaluations.
Seasonality
Our business is highly seasonal, and historically we have
realized a significant portion of our sales, net income, and
cash flow in the second half of the fiscal year, attributable to
the impact of the
back-to-school
selling season in the third quarter and the holiday selling
season in the fourth quarter. Additionally, working capital
requirements fluctuate during the year, increasing in mid-summer
in anticipation of the third and fourth quarters.
Cash
Equivalents
We consider credit card receivables and all short-term
investments with an original maturity of three months or less to
be cash equivalents.
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, short-term
investments, receivables, and accounts payable approximates
their carrying value due to their short-term maturities.
Merchandise
Inventory
Merchandise inventory consists of finished goods and is valued
utilizing the cost method at the lower of cost or market
determined on a weighted-average basis. Merchandise inventory
includes warehousing, freight, merchandise and design costs as
an inventory product cost. We make certain assumptions regarding
future demand and net realizable selling price in order to
assess that our inventory is recorded properly at the lower of
cost or market. These assumptions are based on both historical
experience and current information. We recorded an adjustment to
inventory and cost of sales for lower of cost or market of
$8.0 million as of February 3, 2007, $7.4 million
as of January 28, 2006, and $4.9 million as of
January 29, 2005.
33
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fixtures,
Equipment and Improvements
Fixtures, equipment and improvements are stated at cost.
Depreciation and amortization are provided for by the
straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
|
|
|
|
|
Fixtures and equipment
|
|
|
10 years
|
|
Leasehold improvements
|
|
|
Lesser of life of the asset or lease term
|
|
Computer equipment and software
|
|
|
5 years
|
|
Evaluation
for Long-Lived Asset Impairment
We periodically evaluate the need to recognize impairment losses
relating to long-lived assets in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS No. 144,
Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived
Assets. Long-lived assets are evaluated for recoverability
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an
asset may have been impaired. In evaluating an asset for
recoverability, we estimate the future cash flows expected to
result from the use of the asset and eventual disposition. If
the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the
carrying amount of the asset, we would write the asset down to
fair value and we would record an impairment charge,
accordingly. We recorded impairment charges of $0.1 million
in fiscal 2006, $0.4 million in fiscal 2005, and none in
fiscal 2004.
Pre-Opening
Expenses
New store pre-opening costs are expensed as they are incurred.
Leases
Rent expense under our operating leases typically provide for
fixed non-contingent rent escalations. Rent payments under our
store leases typically commence when the store opens, and these
leases include a pre-opening period that allows us to take
possession of the property to construct the store. We recognize
rent expense on a straight-line basis over the non-cancelable
term of each individual underlying lease, commencing when we
take possession of the property (see below).
In addition, our store leases require us to pay additional rent
based on specified percentages of sales, after we achieve
specified annual sales thresholds. We use store sales trends to
estimate and record liabilities for these additional rent
obligations during interim periods. Most of our store leases
entitle us to receive tenant allowances from our landlords. We
record these tenant allowances as a deferred rent liability,
which we amortize as a reduction of rent expense over the
non-cancelable term of each underlying lease.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, we corrected an error and
recorded a one-time, non-cash rent charge of $4.7 million
($2.8 million, after tax) related to the timing of rent
expense for store leases during the pre-opening period.
Previously, we had followed a prevailing retail industry
practice in which we began recording rent expense at the earlier
of the time a store opened or when rent payments commenced. The
charge was cumulative, and $0.5 million after tax was
related to fiscal 2004, and $2.3 million after tax was
related to prior periods. Our financial statements for prior
periods were not restated due to the immateriality of this issue
to our results of operations, statements of financial position,
and cash flows for fiscal 2004 or any individual prior year.
This correction did not impact cash flows or timing of payments
under related leases and did not have a material impact on our
consolidated financial statements.
Revenue
Recognition
Sales revenue is recognized at the point of sale in
our stores, and at the time our
e-commerce
customers take possession of merchandise. Sales revenue related
to gift cards and the issuance of store credits are recognized
when
34
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
they are redeemed. Allowances for sales returns are recorded as
a reduction of net sales in the periods in which the related
sales are recognized.
Cost
of Sales
Cost of sales includes costs related to merchandise sold,
including inventory valuation adjustments, distribution and
warehousing, freight from the distribution center and warehouse
to the stores, payroll for our design, buying and merchandising
departments, and occupancy costs. Occupancy costs include rent,
contingent rents, common area maintenance, real estate taxes,
utilities, repairs, maintenance and all depreciation.
Selling,
General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A,
include costs related to selling expenses, store management and
corporate expenses such as payroll and employee benefits,
marketing expenses, employment taxes, information technology
maintenance costs and expenses, insurance and legal expenses,
and store pre-opening and other corporate level expenses. Store
pre-opening expenses include store level payroll, grand opening
event marketing, travel, supplies and other store pre-opening
expenses.
Self-Insurance
We self-insure our workers compensation risk and a portion of
our employee medical benefits. The recorded liabilities for
these risks are calculated primarily using historical experience
and current information. The liabilities include amounts for
actual claims and claims incurred but not yet reported.
Retirement
Benefit Plans
Our retirement benefit plan costs are accounted for using
actuarial valuations required by SFAS No. 87,
Employers Accounting for Pensions and
SFAS No. 106, Employers Accounting for
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions.
We adopted SFAS No. 158, Employers Accounting
for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement
Plans an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87,
88, 106, and 132(R), or FAS 158, as of February 3,
2007. SFAS 158 requires an entity to recognize the funded
status of its defined pension plans on the balance sheet and to
recognize changes in the funded status, that arise during the
period but are not recognized as components of net periodic
benefit cost, within other comprehensive income, net of income
taxes. See the section Recent Accounting Developments and
note 11 for additional information regarding the adoption
of SFAS 158.
Marketing
Costs
Marketing costs, which includes internet, television, print,
radio and other media advertising and collegiate athlete
conference sponsorships, are expensed as incurred and were
$11.3 million in fiscal 2006, $6.8 million in fiscal
2005, and $5.3 million in fiscal 2004.
Stock-Based
Compensation
On January 29, 2006, the first day of our 2006 fiscal year,
we adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, a revision of
SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation, or SFAS No. 123(R), as interpreted
by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. Under
SFAS No. 123(R), all forms of share-based payment to
employees and directors, including stock options, must be
treated as compensation and recognized in the income statement.
Previous to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), we
accounted for stock options under the provisions of Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees, and, accordingly, did not recognize
compensation expense in our consolidated financial statements.
35
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Segment
Reporting
SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information, establishes standards
for reporting information about a companys operating
segments. It also establishes standards for related disclosures
about products and services, geographic areas and major
customers. We operate in a single aggregated operating segment,
which includes the operation of our Aéropostale and
JimmyZ specialty retail stores and our Aéropostale
e-commerce
site. Revenues from external customers are derived from
merchandise sales and we do not rely on any major customers as a
source of revenue. Our consolidated net sales mix by merchandise
category was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
|
|
Merchandise Categories
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Young Womens
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
61
|
%
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
Young Mens
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
26
|
|
Accessories
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Merchandise Sales
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recent
Accounting Developments
In February 2007, The Financial Accounting Standards Board, or
FASB, issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair
Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities Including an amendment of FASB Statement
No. 115. This statement permits entities to choose to
measure many financial instruments and certain other items at
fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective at the beginning
of an entitys first fiscal year that begins after
November 15, 2007. We expect that the adoption of
SFAS No. 159 will not have a material impact on our
consolidated financial statements.
In September 2006, The FASB issued SFAS No. 158,
Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and
Other Postretirement Plans an amendment of FASB
Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).This statement
requires an employer to recognize the over-funded or
under-funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as
an asset or in its statement of financial position and to
recognize through accumulated other comprehensive income changes
in that funded status in the year in which they occur.. This
statement also requires an employer to measure the funded status
of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial
position, with limited exceptions. SFAS No. 158 is
effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006.
The adoption of SFAS No. 158 on February 3, 2007
did not have a material impact on our financial statements. See
note 11 for a further discussion.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,
Fair Value Measurements. This statement defines fair
value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in
generally accepted accounting principles, and expands
disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement
applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or
permit fair value measurements, the Board having concluded in
those other accounting pronouncements that fair value is the
relevant measurement attribute. This statement is effective for
financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal
years. We expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 157
will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial
statements.
In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued
Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, or
SAB 108, Considering the Effects of Prior
Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current
Year Financial Statements. SAB 108 provides guidance on
the consideration of effects of prior year misstatements in
quantifying current year misstatements for the purpose of a
materiality assessment. SAB No. 108 is effective for
the first annual period ending after November 15, 2006. We
adopted SAB No. 108 in the fourth quarter of 2006 and
the adoption of SAB No. 108 did not have a material
impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In July 2006, The FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, or
FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in
income taxes recognized in the financial statements in
accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income
Taxes. FIN 48 provides guidance on the financial
statement
36
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected
to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance
on de-recognition, classification interest and penalties,
accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transition.
FIN 48 was effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2006. We are currently evaluating the impact
that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on our consolidated
financial statements.
In March 2005, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 47,
Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement
Obligations, or FIN 47, which
clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement
obligation as used in FASB statement No. 143,
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.
Conditional asset retirement obligation refers to a legal
obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the
timing
and/or
method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may
or may not be within the control of the entity. An entity is
required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a
conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the
liability can be reasonably estimated. FIN 47 is effective
for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. The
adoption of FIN 47 unfavorably impacted net earnings by
$0.2 million for the year ended January 28, 2006. We
were uncertain of the timing of payment for the asset retirement
obligations, therefore a liability was not previously recognized
in the consolidated financial statements. The adoption of
FIN 47 did not have a material impact on our consolidated
financial statements.
In April 2004, we completed a
three-for-two
stock split on all shares of our common stock that was affected
in the form of a stock dividend. All prior period share and per
share amounts presented in this report have been restated to
give retroactive recognition to the common stock split.
|
|
3.
|
Short-Term
Investments
|
Short-term investments consist of auction rate debt and
preferred stock securities. Auction rate securities are term
securities earning income at a rate that is periodically reset,
typically within 35 days, to reflect current market
conditions through an auction process. These securities are
classified as
available-for-sale
securities under the provisions of SFAS No. 115,
Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
Securities. Accordingly, these short-term investments are
recorded at fair-value, with any related unrealized gains and
losses included as a separate component of stockholders
equity, net of tax. Realized gains and losses and investment
income are included in earnings. As of February 3, 2007,
the auction rate debt securities had contractual ultimate
maturities ranging from 2022 through 2040.
|
|
4.
|
Supplier
Risk Concentration
|
Three suppliers in the aggregate constituted approximately 30%
of our purchases in fiscal 2006, approximately 33% in fiscal
2005 and approximately 35% in fiscal 2004. In addition, in
fiscal 2006, approximately 64% of our merchandise was directly
sourced from our top 10 suppliers, and one agent sourced
approximately 19% of our merchandise. The loss of any of these
sources could adversely impact our ability to operate our
business. We will cease doing business with South Bay Apparel
Inc., one of our largest suppliers of graphic T-shirts and
fleece, in July 2007 (see note 5 for a further discussion).
We are in the process of replacing this business with new
vendors and through our existing vendor base.
On November 8, 2006, we announced that Christopher L.
Finazzo, who had been our Executive Vice President and Chief
Merchandising Officer, had been terminated for cause, effective
immediately, based upon information uncovered by management and
after an independent investigation was conducted at the
direction, and under the
37
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
supervision, of a special committee of our Board of Directors.
The investigation, being carried out by our outside legal
counsel and a third-party investigation firm, revealed that
Mr. Finazzo:
|
|
|
|
|
concealed from management and our Board of Directors, and failed
to disclose in corporate disclosure documents, his personal
ownership interests in, and officer positions of, certain
corporate entities affiliated with one of our primary vendors at
the time, South Bay Apparel, Inc.,
|
|
|
|
without the knowledge or authorization of our management,
executed a corporate Guaranty Agreement in March 1999, that, had
it been enforceable, would have obligated us to guarantee any
payments due from South Bay Apparel, Inc. to Tricot Richelieu,
Inc., an apparel manufacturer and vendor to South Bay Apparel,
Inc., and
|
|
|
|
failed to disclose unauthorized business relationships and
transactions between immediate and extended family members of
Mr. Finazzo and certain other of our vendors.
|
These activities, and their concealment, constituted numerous
instances of conflicts of interest that were in breach of, among
other things, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, as well
as numerous violations of Mr. Finazzos employment
agreement.
South Bay Apparel, Inc. had been a vendor to us since 1996,
providing apparel products including womens and mens
graphic tee shirts, fleece and other tops. At least one
affiliate of South Bay Apparel, Inc. involved in this matter has
received orders from us aggregating approximately
$0.6 million during fiscal 2006, approximately
$1.0 million during fiscal 2005 and approximately
$2.4 million during fiscal 2004.
Our management and our Board of Directors had no prior knowledge
of any of these unauthorized activities by Mr. Finazzo,
including the unauthorized Guaranty Agreement discussed above.
On December 5, 2006, we entered into a Confirmatory
Termination and Revocation Agreement with South Bay Apparel,
Inc. and Tricot Richelieu, Inc., whereby all parties agreed that
the Guaranty Agreement was thereby and has been permanently,
irrevocably and absolutely terminated, revoked and expired in
all respects. Therefore, the Guaranty Agreement was not recorded
in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Also on December 5, 2006, we entered into an agreement with
South Bay Apparel, Inc. and Douglas Dey, South Bay Apparel,
Inc.s President, whereby the parties agreed to resolve
certain outstanding matters between them. As such, South Bay
Apparel, Inc. agreed to pay us $8.0 million, representing
(i) a concession of $7.1 million by South Bay Apparel,
Inc. and Mr. Dey concerning prior purchases of merchandise
by us, which was reflected as a reduction in the cost of
merchandise in fiscal 2006, and (ii) reimbursement by South
Bay Apparel, Inc. of $0.9 million, which offset
professional fees that we incurred associated with the
negotiation of the Agreement and the investigation of the
underlying facts surrounding this Agreement. In addition, South
Bay Apparel, Inc. and Mr. Dey agreed to a reduction in the
price of merchandise sold to us to a price that we believe
represents fair value, based on costs of comparable merchandise.
We have agreed to continue purchasing merchandise from South Bay
Apparel, Inc. through July 2, 2007, the date this agreement
terminates. As of February 3, 2007, there was approximately
$16.2 million in Aeropostale inventory remaining at South
Bay Apparel, Inc.
Due to the numerous undisclosed conflicts of interests discussed
above, we determined that transactions initiated or authorized
by Mr. Finazzo, during his employment with us, with the
above mentioned related parties cannot be presumed to have been
carried out on an arms-length basis, as the requisite
conditions of competitive, free-market dealings may not have
existed. However, we believe that our historical consolidated
financial statements were fairly stated in all material
respects. In addition, we believe that our historical trend of
earnings would not have been materially impacted by any of these
items.
38
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
6. Fixtures,
Equipment and Improvements
Fixtures, equipment and improvements consist of the following
(in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 3, 2007
|
|
|
January 28, 2006
|
|
|
Leasehold improvements
|
|
$
|
160,428
|
|
|
$
|
135,619
|
|
Store fixtures and equipment
|
|
|
77,739
|
|
|
|
68,073
|
|
Computer equipment and software
|
|
|
23,226
|
|
|
|
18,178
|
|
Construction in progress
|
|
|
1,915
|
|
|
|
1,687
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
263,308
|
|
|
|
223,557
|
|
Less accumulated depreciation and
amortization
|
|
|
87,717
|
|
|
|
63,328
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
175,591
|
|
|
$
|
160,229
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization expense was $30.0 million in
fiscal 2006, $22.3 million in fiscal 2005, and
$16.6 million in fiscal 2004.
Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 3, 2007
|
|
|
January 28, 2006
|
|
|
Accrued compensation
|
|
$
|
15,553
|
|
|
$
|
10,714
|
|
Sales and use tax
|
|
|
4,369
|
|
|
|
2,868
|
|
Accrued rent
|
|
|
11,030
|
|
|
|
9,933
|
|
Accrued gift cards and credits
|
|
|
19,290
|
|
|
|
16,327
|
|
Income tax payable
|
|
|
37,802
|
|
|
|
14,159
|
|
Sales return liability
|
|
|
630
|
|
|
|
654
|
|
Payroll tax liabilities
|
|
|
1,549
|
|
|
|
1,033
|
|
Other
|
|
|
10,657
|
|
|
|
8,305
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
100,880
|
|
|
$
|
63,993
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.
|
Revolving
Credit Facility
|
We have a revolving credit facility (the credit
facility) with Bank of America, N.A., which allows us to
borrow or obtain letters of credit up to an aggregate of
$50.0 million, with letters of credit having a
sub-limit of
$15.0 million. The amount of available credit can be
increased to an aggregate of $75.0 million if we so
request. The credit facility matures in April 2010, and our
assets collateralize indebtedness under the credit facility.
Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at our
option, either at (a) the lenders prime rate or
(b) the Euro Dollar Rate plus 0.75% to 1.25%, dependent
upon our financial performance. We are required to pay an annual
credit facility fee of $25,000. There are no covenants in the
credit facility requiring us to achieve certain earnings levels
and there are no capital spending limitations. There are certain
negative covenants under the credit facility including, but not
limited to, limitations on our ability to incur other
indebtedness, encumber our assets, or undergo a change of
control. Additionally, we are required to maintain a ratio of
2:1 for the value of our inventory to the amount of the loans
under the credit facility. As of February 3, 2007, we were
in compliance with all covenants under the credit facility.
Events of default under the credit facility include, subject to
grace periods and notice provisions in certain circumstances,
failure to pay principal amounts when due, breaches of
covenants, misrepresentation, default of leases or other
indebtedness, excess uninsured casualty loss, excess uninsured
judgment or restraint of business, business failure or
application for bankruptcy, indictment of us or institution of
any legal process or proceeding
39
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
under federal, state, municipal or civil statutes, legal
challenges to loan documents, and a change in control. If an
event of default occurs, the lenders under the credit facility
will be entitled to take various actions, including the
acceleration of amounts due thereunder and requiring that all
such amounts be immediately paid in full as well as possession
and sale of all assets that have been used as collateral. At
February 3, 2007, we had no amount outstanding under the
credit facility, and no stand-by or commercial letters of credit
issued under the credit facility. In addition, we have not had
outstanding borrowings under the credit facility since November
2002.
In accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per
Share, basic earnings per share has been computed based upon
the weighted average of common shares, after deducting preferred
dividend requirements. Diluted earnings per share gives effect
to outstanding stock options.
Earnings per common share has been computed as follows (in
thousands, except per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
106,647
|
|
|
$
|
83,954
|
|
|
$
|
84,112
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average basic shares
|
|
|
53,285
|
|
|
|
54,994
|
|
|
|
55,735
|
|
Impact of dilutive securities
|
|
|
473
|
|
|
|
943
|
|
|
|
1,520
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average diluted shares
|
|
|
53,758
|
|
|
|
55,937
|
|
|
|
57,255
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share
|
|
$
|
2.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.53
|
|
|
$
|
1.51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share
|
|
$
|
1.98
|
|
|
$
|
1.50
|
|
|
$
|
1.47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options to purchase 419,000 shares in fiscal 2006,
387,000 shares in fiscal 2005, and 74,000 in fiscal 2004
were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share
because the exercise prices of the options were greater than the
average market price of the common shares.
|
|
10.
|
Stock-Based
Compensation
|
On January 29, 2006, the first day of our 2006 fiscal year,
we adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, a revision of
SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation, or SFAS No. 123(R), as interpreted
by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. Under
SFAS No. 123(R), all forms of share-based payment to
employees and directors, including stock options, must be
treated as compensation and recognized in the income statement.
We recognized $3.7 million ($2.2 million after-tax, or
$0.04 per diluted share) in compensation expense related to
stock options during fiscal 2006. Previous to the adoption of
SFAS No. 123(R), we accounted for stock options under
the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion
No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,
and, accordingly, did not recognize compensation expense in our
consolidated financial statements. We adopted the modified
prospective transition method provided under
SFAS No. 123(R), and consequently, have not
retroactively adjusted results from prior periods. Under this
transition method, compensation cost associated with stock
options recognized in fiscal 2006 includes: 1) quarterly
amortization related to the remaining unvested portion of all
stock option awards granted prior to January 29, 2006,
based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with
the original provisions of SFAS No. 123; and
2) quarterly amortization related to all stock option
awards granted subsequent to January 29, 2006, based on the
grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS No. 123(R).
Under SFAS No. 123(R), we are required to select a
valuation technique or option-pricing model that meets the
criteria as stated in the standard, which include a binomial
model and the Black-Scholes model. At the present time,
40
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
we will continue to use the Black-Scholes model, which requires
the input of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include
estimating the length of time employees will retain their vested
stock options before exercising them (expected
term), the estimated volatility of our common stock price
over the expected term and the number of options that will
ultimately not complete their vesting requirements
(forfeitures). Changes in the subjective assumptions
can materially affect the estimate of fair value of
stock based compensation and consequently, the
related amount recognized in the consolidated statements of
income.
In November 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position
No. FAS 123R-3
Transition Election Related to Accounting for Tax
Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards. We have elected
to adopt the alternative transition method provided in the FASB
Staff Position for calculating the tax effects of stock-based
compensation pursuant to SFAS No. 123(R). The
alternative transition method includes simplified methods to
establish the beginning balance of the additional paid-in
capital pool (APIC pool) related to the tax effects
of employee stock-based compensation, and to determine the
subsequent impact on the APIC pool and Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows of the tax effects of employee stock-based
compensation awards that are outstanding upon adoption of
SFAS No. 123(R).
Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), we presented
all tax benefits resulting from the exercise of stock options as
operating cash flows in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of
Cash Flows. SFAS No. 123(R) requires that cash flows
resulting from tax deductions in excess of the cumulative
compensation cost recognized for options exercised be classified
as financing cash flows. Previously, all tax benefits from stock
options had been reported as an operating activity. For fiscal
2006, net cash provided by operating activities, and net cash
used for financing activities, was decreased by
$7.6 million related to excess tax benefits realized from
the exercise of stock options.
We have stock option plans under which we may grant qualified
and non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of our common
stock to executives, consultants, directors, or other key
employees. As of February 3, 2007, a total of
857,733 shares were available for future grant under our
plans. Stock options may not be granted at less than the fair
market value at the date of grant. Stock options generally vest
over four years on a pro rata basis and expire after eight
years. All outstanding stock options immediately vest upon
change in control.
The following tables summarize stock option transactions for
common stock for fiscal 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-Average
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
|
|
|
Remaining
|
|
|
Intrinsic
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
|
Contractual Term
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In years)
|
|
|
(In millions)
|
|
|
Outstanding as of January 29,
2006
|
|
|
2,041
|
|
|
$
|
12.63
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
320
|
|
|
$
|
28.90
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(721
|
)
|
|
$
|
3.27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(265
|
)
|
|
$
|
14.53
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding as of February 3,
2007
|
|
|
1,375
|
|
|
$
|
20.96
|
|
|
|
5.28
|
|
|
$
|
15.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable as of February 3,
2007
|
|
|
564
|
|
|
$
|
13.80
|
|
|
|
4.17
|
|
|
$
|
10.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table summarizes stock option transactions for
common stock for fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004 (shares in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2005
|
|
|
Fiscal 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Outstanding, beginning of period
|
|
|
2,258
|
|
|
$
|
7.93
|
|
|
|
3,092
|
|
|
$
|
2.23
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
321
|
|
|
|
32.33
|
|
|
|
528
|
|
|
|
23.79
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(477
|
)
|
|
|
2.82
|
|
|
|
(1,320
|
)
|
|
|
0.78
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(61
|
)
|
|
|
18.81
|
|
|
|
(42
|
)
|
|
|
12.88
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding, end of period
|
|
|
2,041
|
|
|
$
|
12.63
|
|
|
|
2,258
|
|
|
$
|
7.93
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercisable at end of
period
|
|
|
1,106
|
|
|
$
|
4.27
|
|
|
|
1,314
|
|
|
$
|
1.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average fair value of
options granted during the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
13.34
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
13.99
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted
was $14.59 during fiscal 2006, $13.34 during fiscal 2005, and
$13.99 during fiscal 2004. The intrinsic value of options
exercised was $19.3 million in fiscal 2006,
$12.0 million in fiscal 2005, and $34.7 million in
fiscal 2004.
The following tables summarize information regarding currently
outstanding options as of February 3, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding
|
|
|
Options Exercisable
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
Weighted-Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
at
|
|
|
Remaining
|
|
|
|
|
|
at
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 3,
|
|
|
Contractual
|
|
|
Weighted-Average
|
|
|
February 3,
|
|
|
Weighted-Average
|
|
Range of Exercise Prices
|
|
2007
|
|
|
Life
|
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
(In years)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.26 to 0.57
|
|
|
143
|
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
|
$
|
0.44
|
|
|
|
143
|
|
|
$
|
0.44
|
|
7.63 to 11.80
|
|
|
287
|
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
|
$
|
8.88
|
|
|
|
186
|
|
|
$
|
8.86
|
|
18.57 to 23.32
|
|
|
352
|
|
|
|
5.2
|
|
|
$
|
23.07
|
|
|
|
159
|
|
|
$
|
22.84
|
|
23.91 to 33.65
|
|
|
593
|
|
|
|
6.7
|
|
|
$
|
30.50
|
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
$
|
32.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,375
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
564
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant-Date
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-vested as of January 29,
2006
|
|
|
935
|
|
|
$
|
12.11
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
320
|
|
|
$
|
14.37
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
(322
|
)
|
|
$
|
11.44
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(122
|
)
|
|
$
|
12.56
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-vested as of February 3,
2007
|
|
|
811
|
|
|
$
|
13.20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on our forfeiture experience, we expect that approximately
648 of the above non-vested options will vest.
As of February 3, 2007, there was $6.5 million of
total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested
options that we expect to be recognized over the remaining
weighted-average vesting period of 2.4 years. We expect
42
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
to recognize $3.3 million of this cost in fiscal 2007,
$2.0 million in fiscal 2008, $1.0 million in fiscal
2009, and $0.2 million in fiscal 2010.
Certain of our employees and all of our directors have been
awarded non-vested stock, pursuant to non-vested stock
agreements. The non-vested stock awarded to employees vests at
the end of three years of continuous service with us. Initial
grants of non-vested stock awarded to directors vest, pro-rata,
over a three-year period, based upon continuous service.
Subsequent grants of non-vested stock awarded to directors vest
in full one year after the grant-date. Total compensation
expense is being amortized over the vesting period. Amortization
expense was $2.2 million for fiscal 2006, $1.7 million
for fiscal 2005 and $0.6 million for fiscal 2004. As of
February 3, 2007, there was $4.8 million of
unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock
awards that is expected to be recognized over the weighted
average period of 1.6 years. In the fourth quarter of 2006,
we recorded a reduction of a previously recorded compensation
expense of $0.3 million, resulting from the termination for
cause of Christopher L. Finazzo, our then Executive Vice
President and Chief Merchandising Officer on November 8,
2006 (see note 5 for a further discussion).
The following table summarizes non-vested shares of stock
outstanding at February 3, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant-Date
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding as of January 29,
2006
|
|
|
168
|
|
|
$
|
28.48
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
190
|
|
|
$
|
29.94
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
$
|
30.66
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(40
|
)
|
|
$
|
28.52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding as of February 3,
2007
|
|
|
304
|
|
|
$
|
29.29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior to fiscal 2006, no compensation expense was recognized for
stock options. Had compensation cost for our stock option plans
been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123(R), our
net income and earnings per share for fiscal 2005 and fiscal
2004 would have been reduced to the following pro forma amounts
(in thousands, except per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
Net income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As reported
|
|
$
|
83,954
|
|
|
$
|
84,112
|
|
Add: non-vested stock
amortization, net of taxes
|
|
|
1,050
|
|
|
|
366
|
|
Less: total stock-based
compensation expense determined under fair value method, net of
taxes
|
|
|
(2,756
|
)
|
|
|
(1,525
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro-forma
|
|
$
|
82,248
|
|
|
$
|
82,953
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As reported
|
|
$
|
1.53
|
|
|
$
|
1.51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro-forma
|
|
$
|
1.50
|
|
|
$
|
1.49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As reported
|
|
$
|
1.50
|
|
|
$
|
1.47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro-forma
|
|
$
|
1.47
|
|
|
$
|
1.45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
In accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), the fair value of
each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the following
assumptions for grants in the respective periods:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
|
69
|
%
|
Expected life
|
|
|
5.25 years
|
|
|
|
5 years
|
|
|
|
5 years
|
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
4.86
|
%
|
|
|
4.11
|
%
|
|
|
2.80
|
%
|
Expected dividend yield
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
Expected forfeiture rate
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
The effects of applying SFAS No. 123(R) and the
results obtained through the use of the Black-Scholes
option-pricing model are not necessarily indicative of future
values.
|
|
11.
|
Retirement
Benefit Plans
|
We maintain a qualified, defined contribution retirement plan
with a 401(k) salary deferral feature that covers substantially
all of our employees who meet certain requirements. Under the
terms of the plan, employees may contribute up to 14% of gross
earnings and we will provide a matching contribution of 50% of
the first 5% of gross earnings contributed by the participants.
We also have the option to make additional contributions. The
terms of the plan provide for vesting in our matching
contributions to the plan over a five-year service period with
20% vesting after two years and 50% vesting after year three.
Vesting increases thereafter at a rate of 25% per year so
that participants will be fully vested after year five.
Contribution expense was $0.8 million in fiscal 2006 and
$0.5 million in both fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004.
We adopted SFAS No. 158 on February 3, 2007,
which impacted our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, or
SERP, and our postretirement benefit plan. Since the full
recognition of the funded status of an entitys defined
benefit pension plan is recorded on the balance sheet, an
additional minimum liability (AML) is no longer
recorded under SFAS No. 158. However, because the
recognition provisions of SFAS No. 158 were adopted as
of February 3, 2007, we first measured and recorded changes
to our previously recognized AML through other comprehensive
income and then applied the recognition provisions of
SFAS No. 158 through accumulated other comprehensive
income to fully recognize the funded status of our defined
benefit pension plans. See the section Recent Accounting
Developments in Note 1 for a further discussion regarding
SFAS No. 158.
The following table summarizes the impact of adopting
SFAS No. 158 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before Adopting
|
|
|
|
|
|
After Adopting
|
|
|
|
SFAS No. 158
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
SFAS No. 158
|
|
|
Other intangible assets
|
|
$
|
2,381
|
|
|
$
|
(981
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,400
|
|
Deferred income tax assets
(non-current)
|
|
|
1,371
|
|
|
|
2,413
|
|
|
|
3,784
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
579,732
|
|
|
|
1,432
|
|
|
|
581,164
|
|
Retirement benefit plan liabilities
|
|
|
10,647
|
|
|
|
5,259
|
|
|
|
15,906
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
263,789
|
|
|
|
5,259
|
|
|
|
269,048
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive
loss
|
|
|
(1,447
|
)
|
|
|
(3,827
|
)
|
|
|
(5,274
|
)
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
315,943
|
|
|
|
(3,827
|
)
|
|
|
312,116
|
|
Our SERP is a non-qualified defined benefit plan for certain
officers. The plan is non-contributory and not funded and
provides benefits based on years of service and compensation
during employment. Participants are fully vested upon entrance
in the plan. Pension expense is determined using various
actuarial cost methods to estimate the total benefits ultimately
payable to officers and this cost is allocated to service
periods. The actuarial assumptions used to calculate pension
costs are reviewed annually.
44
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following information about the SERP is provided below (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 3,
|
|
|
January 28,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
CHANGE IN BENEFIT OBLIGATION:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net benefit obligation at
beginning of period
|
|
$
|
15,004
|
|
|
$
|
10,884
|
|
Service cost
|
|
|
492
|
|
|
|
421
|
|
Interest cost
|
|
|
932
|
|
|
|
732
|
|
Plan amendments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actuarial (gain)/ loss
|
|
|
(1,281
|
)
|
|
|
3,303
|
|
Settlements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross benefits paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(336
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net benefit obligation at end of
period
|
|
$
|
15,147
|
|
|
$
|
15,004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated benefit obligation
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
8,446
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets at
beginning of period
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Employer contributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
336
|
|
Gross benefits paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(336
|
)
|
Actual return on plan assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets at end
of period
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funded status at end of period
|
|
$
|
(15,147
|
)
|
|
$
|
(15,004
|
)
|
Unrecognized net actuarial loss
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
9,130
|
|
Unrecognized prior service and cost
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
1,055
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net amount recognized
|
|
$
|
(15,147
|
)
|
|
$
|
(4,819
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intangible assets
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
1,055
|
|
Accrued benefit cost
|
|
|
(15,147
|
)
|
|
|
(8,446
|
)
|
Accumulated other comprehensive
income
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
2,572
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net amount recognized
|
|
$
|
(15,147
|
)
|
|
$
|
(4,819
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Pension expense includes the following components (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC BENEFIT
COST:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service cost
|
|
$
|
492
|
|
|
$
|
421
|
|
|
$
|
278
|
|
Interest cost
|
|
|
932
|
|
|
|
732
|
|
|
|
626
|
|
Prior service cost
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
|
74
|
|
Amortization of prior experience
loss
|
|
|
568
|
|
|
|
550
|
|
|
|
321
|
|
Loss recognized due to settlement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,396
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net periodic benefit cost
|
|
$
|
2,066
|
|
|
$
|
1,777
|
|
|
$
|
2,695
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE ASSUMPTIONS USED:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount rate to determine benefit
obligations
|
|
|
5.75
|
%
|
|
|
5.50
|
%
|
|
|
5.25
|
%
|
Discount rate to determine net
periodic pension cost
|
|
|
5.50
|
%
|
|
|
5.25
|
%
|
|
|
6.00
|
%
|
Rate of compensation increase
|
|
|
4.50
|
%
|
|
|
4.50
|
%
|
|
|
4.50
|
%
|
The discount rate was determined by matching a published set of
zero coupon yields and associated durations to expected plan
benefit payment streams to obtain an implicit internal rate of
return. The loss recognized due to settlement in fiscal 2004
resulted from the early retirement of our former President and
Chief Operating Officer. We made a contribution of
$2.4 million in fiscal 2004 in connection with this early
retirement.
We currently do not expect to make any contributions to the SERP
in fiscal 2007. We project making a benefit payment of
approximately $13.3 million in 2010, which reflects
expected future service, and assumes retirement at age 65.
We have a long-term incentive deferred compensation plan
established for the purpose of providing long-term incentives to
a select group of management, with a liability of
$0.2 million as of February 3, 2007 and
$0.1 million at January 28, 2006 for this plan. The
plan is a non-qualified, defined contribution plan and is not
funded. Participants in this plan include all employees
designated by us as Vice President, or other higher-ranking
positions that are not participants in the SERP. We will record
annual monetary credits to each participants account based
on compensation levels and years as a participant in the plan.
Annual interest credits will be applied to the balance of each
participants account based upon established benchmarks.
Each annual credit is subject to a three-year
cliff-vesting
schedule, and participants accounts will be fully vested
upon retirement after completing five years of service and
attaining age 55.
We have a postretirement benefit plan for certain officers with
a liability of $0.5 million as of February 3, 2007 and
$0.1 million at January 28, 2006 for this plan.
|
|
12.
|
Stock
Repurchase Program
|
We repurchase our common stock from time to time under a stock
repurchase program. On March 14, 2007, our Board of
Directors approved a $100.0 million increase in repurchase
availability under the program, bringing total repurchase
authorization, since inception of the program, to
$350.0 million. The repurchase program may be modified or
terminated by the Board of Directors at any time, and there is
no expiration date for the program. The extent and timing of
repurchases will depend upon general business and market
conditions, stock prices, opening and closing of our stock
trading window, and liquidity and capital resource requirements
going forward. We repurchased 3.1 million shares of our
common stock for $91.4 million during fiscal 2006,
1.8 million shares for $44.5 million during fiscal
2005, and 1.8 million shares for $45.9 million during
fiscal 2004. We repurchased 7.7 million shares for
$199.5 million since the inception of the repurchase
program through February 3, 2007, with
46
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
$150.5 million of repurchase availability remaining under
the program as of February 3, 2007, including the
additional $100.0 million of availability that was approved
on March 14, 2007.
The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Current:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
$
|
63,561
|
|
|
$
|
39,360
|
|
|
$
|
42,728
|
|
State and local
|
|
|
15,096
|
|
|
|
9,687
|
|
|
|
8,119
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
78,657
|
|
|
|
49,047
|
|
|
|
50,847
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
(8,253
|
)
|
|
|
5,026
|
|
|
|
2,035
|
|
State and local
|
|
|
(2,221
|
)
|
|
|
1,074
|
|
|
|
374
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,474
|
)
|
|
|
6,100
|
|
|
|
2,409
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
68,183
|
|
|
$
|
55,147
|
|
|
$
|
53,256
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation of the U.S. statutory tax rate with our
effective tax rate is summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Federal statutory rate
|
|
|
35.0
|
%
|
|
|
35.0
|
%
|
|
|
35.0
|
%
|
Increase (decrease) in tax
resulting from:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State income taxes, net of federal
tax benefits
|
|
|
4.8
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
|
4.0
|
|
Other
|
|
|
(0.8
|
)
|
|
|
(0.3
|
)
|
|
|
(0.2
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective rate
|
|
|
39.0
|
%
|
|
|
39.6
|
%
|
|
|
38.8
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The components of the net deferred income tax assets/
(liabilities) are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 3,
|
|
|
January 28,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Current:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventory
|
|
$
|
1,094
|
|
|
$
|
(5,417
|
)
|
Other
|
|
|
91
|
|
|
|
222
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets/ (liabilities)
|
|
$
|
1,185
|
|
|
$
|
(5,195
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Furniture, equipment and
improvements
|
|
$
|
(11,537
|
)
|
|
$
|
(13,886
|
)
|
Retirement benefit plan liabilities
|
|
|
6,124
|
|
|
|
2,847
|
|
Deferred rent and tenant allowances
|
|
|
6,151
|
|
|
|
7,636
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
2,394
|
|
|
|
520
|
|
JimmyZ state net operating
loss carry-forwards
|
|
|
1,303
|
|
|
|
457
|
|
Valuation allowances for
JimmyZ state net operating loss carry-forwards
|
|
|
(651
|
)
|
|
|
(229
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-current liabilities
|
|
|
3,784
|
|
|
|
(2,655
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred income tax
assets/(liabilities)
|
|
$
|
4,969
|
|
|
$
|
(7,850
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We have recorded valuation allowances against state net
operating loss carry-forwards, or NOLs,
generated by our JimmyZ subsidiary. Subsequent recognition
of these deferred tax assets would result in an income tax
benefit in the year of such recognition. The NOLs expire
between 2020 and 2026.
We record liabilities for tax contingencies when it is probable
that a liability to a taxing authority has been incurred and the
amount of the contingency can be reasonably estimated. Tax
contingency liabilities are adjusted for changes in
circumstances and additional uncertainties, such as significant
amendments to existing tax law. We had tax contingency
liabilities of $2.6 million as of February 3, 2007 and
$1.7 million as of January 28, 2006. We will adopt the
provisions of FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty
in Income Taxes, which clarifies the accounting for
uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial
statements, at the beginning of our 2007 fiscal year. See the
section Recent Accounting Developments in Note 1 for a
further discussion.
|
|
14.
|
Commitments
and Contingencies
|
We are committed under non-cancelable leases for our entire
store and office space locations, which generally provide for
minimum rent plus additional increases in real estate taxes,
certain operating expenses, etc. Certain leases also require
contingent rent based on sales.
The aggregate minimum annual rent commitments as of
February 3, 2007 are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Due in Fiscal Year
|
|
Total
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
76,163
|
|
2008
|
|
|
76,457
|
|
2009
|
|
|
74,782
|
|
2010
|
|
|
70,386
|
|
2011
|
|
|
65,027
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
189,335
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
552,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Rental expense consists of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Minimum rentals
|
|
$
|
71,272
|
|
|
$
|
61,681
|
|
|
$
|
49,481
|
|
Contingent rentals
|
|
|
12,164
|
|
|
|
10,376
|
|
|
|
8,704
|
|
Office space rentals
|
|
|
2,255
|
|
|
|
1,207
|
|
|
|
1,159
|
|
Employment Agreements As of February 3,
2007, we had outstanding employment agreements with certain
members of our senior management totaling $4.8 million.
These employment agreements expire at the end of fiscal 2009,
except for the employment agreement with our Chief Executive
Officer, which expires at the end of fiscal 2007. In addition,
we executed a three-year employment agreement with our new
President and Chief Merchandising Officer effective
March 16, 2007 which provides for a minimum of
$2.9 million, comprised of base salary and guaranteed bonus
over the three-year period.
Legal Proceedings We are party to various
litigation matters and proceedings in the ordinary course of
business. In the opinion of our management, dispositions of
these matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect
on our financial position, results from operations or cash flows.
Event Sponsorship and Advertising Agreements
We are a party to event sponsorship and advertising agreements
with remaining payment obligations of $1.5 million in
fiscal 2007, $1.3 million in fiscal 2008, and
$0.7 million in fiscal 2009.
Guarantees There were no financial guarantees
outstanding at February 3, 2007. We have not provided any
financial guarantees, other than the unauthorized guaranty that
was executed by Christopher L. Finazzo, our then Executive Vice
President and Chief Merchandising Officer, that was revoked and
terminated on December 5, 2006 (see note 5 for a
further discussion). We had no commercial commitments
outstanding as of February 3, 2007.
|
|
15.
|
Selected
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
|
The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly
financial information (in thousands, except per share amounts):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 Weeks Ended
|
|
|
14 Weeks Ended
|
|
|
|
April 29,
|
|
|
July 29,
|
|
|
October 28,
|
|
|
February 3,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
Fiscal 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
246,292
|
|
|
$
|
274,624
|
|
|
$
|
385,455
|
|
|
$
|
506,837
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
70,478
|
|
|
|
72,576
|
|
|
|
123,599
|
|
|
|
188,764
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
8,363
|
|
|
|
8,423
|
|
|
|
32,570
|
|
|
|
57,291
|
|
Basic earnings per share
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
0.16
|
|
|
|
0.62
|
|
|
|
1.09
|
|
Diluted earnings per share
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
0.16
|
|
|
|
0.61
|
|
|
|
1.08
|
|
49
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 Weeks Ended
|
|
|
|
April 30,
|
|
|
July 30,
|
|
|
October 29,
|
|
|
January 28,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Fiscal 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
211,674
|
|
|
$
|
232,770
|
|
|
$
|
324,657
|
|
|
$
|
435,246
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
59,771
|
|
|
|
62,027
|
|
|
|
94,719
|
|
|
|
145,958
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
8,614
|
|
|
|
7,449
|
|
|
|
26,085
|
|
|
|
41,806
|
|
Basic earnings per share
|
|
|
0.16
|
|
|
|
0.13
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
|
|
0.77
|
|
Diluted earnings per share
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
0.13
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
0.76
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes other income of $2.1 million
($1.3 million, after tax, or $0.03 per diluted share)
from the resolution of a dispute with a vendor regarding the
enforcement of our intellectual property rights. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes $7.4 million ($4.5 million, after tax,
or $0.08 per diluted share), net of professional fees,
representing concessions, primarily from South Bay Apparel Inc.,
to us for prior purchases of merchandise (see note 5 for a
further discussion). |
50
|
|
Item 9.
|
Changes
in and Disagreements with Accountant on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure
|
None
|
|
Item 9A.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
Managements
Report On Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining
adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined
in
Rules 13a-15(f)
and
15d-15(f)
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act). Our internal control over financial
reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance
to our management and board of directors regarding reliability
of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation
of published financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have
inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined
to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with
respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over
financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. In
addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to
future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in condition, or that the degree
of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting as of February 3, 2007. In
making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO) in Internal Control Integrated
Framework. Based on that assessment, our management believes
that, as of February 3, 2007, our internal control over
financial reporting is effective.
Our independent registered public accounting firm,
Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued an audit report on
managements assessment of our internal control over
financial reporting. This report appears on page 28 of this
annual report on
Form 10-K.
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Pursuant to
Rule 13a-15(b)
under the Exchange Act, our management carried out an
evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of
our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer along with our Chief
Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and
operation of our disclosure controls (as defined in
Rule 13a-15(e)
of the Exchange Act) and procedures. Based upon that evaluation,
our Chief Executive Officer along with our Chief Financial
Officer concluded that as of the end of our fiscal year ended
February 3, 2007, our disclosure controls and procedures
are effective.
Changes
in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal controls or in other
factors during our fourth fiscal quarter that materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our
internal controls over financial reporting.
|
|
Item 9B.
|
Other
Information
|
None
PART III
|
|
Item 10.
|
Directors,
Executive Officers and Corporate Governance of the
Registrant
|
Information with respect to this item is incorporated by
reference from our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with
the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal
year.
51
|
|
Item 11.
|
Executive
Compensation
|
Information with respect to this item is incorporated by
reference from our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with
the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal
year.
|
|
Item 12.
|
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
Related Stockholder Matters
|
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides certain information, as of
February 3, 2007, about our common stock that may be issued
upon the exercise of options, warrants and rights, as well as
the issuance of restricted shares granted to employees,
consultants or members of our Board of Directors, under our two
existing equity compensation plans, the Aéropostale, Inc.
1998 Stock Option Plan and the Aéropostale, Inc. 2002
Long-Term Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining Available
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-Average
|
|
|
for Future Issuance
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities to
|
|
|
Exercise Price of
|
|
|
Under Equity
|
|
|
|
be Issued Upon Exercise
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
Compensation Plans
|
|
|
|
of Outstanding Options,
|
|
|
Options, Warrants
|
|
|
(Excluding Securities
|
|
Plan Category
|
|
Warrants and Rights
|
|
|
and Rights
|
|
|
Reflected in Column
|
|
|
Equity compensation plans approved
by security holders
|
|
|
1,374,942
|
|
|
$
|
20.96
|
|
|
|
857,733
|
|
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,374,942
|
|
|
$
|
20.96
|
|
|
|
857,733
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 13.
|
Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence
|
Information with respect to this item is incorporated by
reference from our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with
the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal
year.
|
|
Item 14.
|
Principal
Accountant Fees and Services
|
Information with respect to this item is incorporated by
reference from our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with
the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal
year.
PART IV
|
|
Item 15.
|
Exhibits
and Financial Statement Schedules
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
1.
|
|
|
The financial statements listed in
the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements at
page XX are filed as a part of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K
|
|
|
|
2.
|
|
|
Financial statement schedules are
omitted because they are not applicable or the required
information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto
|
|
|
|
3.
|
|
|
Exhibits included or incorporated
herein:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Exhibit Index
|
52
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
No.
|
|
Description
|
|
|
3
|
.1
|
|
Form of Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation.
|
|
3
|
.2
|
|
Form of Amended and Restated
By-Laws.
|
|
4
|
.1
|
|
Specimen Common Stock
Certificate.
|
|
10
|
.1
|
|
Aéropostale, Inc. 1998 Stock
Option Plan.
|
|
10
|
.2
|
|
Aéropostale, Inc. 2002
Long-Term Incentive Plan.
|
|
10
|
.3
|
|
Loan and Security Agreement, dated
July 31, 1998 between Bank Boston Retail Finance Inc., as
agent for the lenders party thereto (the Lenders),
the Lenders and MSS-Delaware, Inc.
|
|
10
|
.4
|
|
First Amendment to Loan and
Security Agreement, dated November 8, 1999, by and between
Bank Boston Retail Finance Inc., as agent for the Lenders, the
Lenders and MSS-Delaware, Inc.
|
|
10
|
.5
|
|
Second Amendment to Loan and
Security Agreement, dated May 2, 2002, by and between Fleet
Retail Finance Inc. (f/k/a Bank Boston Retail Finance), as agent
for the Lenders, the Lenders and Aéropostale, Inc. (f/k/a
MSS-Delaware, Inc.).
|
|
10
|
.6
|
|
Third Amendment to Loan and
Security Agreement, dated June 13, 2001, by and between
Fleet Retail Finance Inc. (f/k/a Bank Boston Retail Finance), as
agent for the Lenders, the Lenders and Aéropostale, Inc.
(f/k/a MSS-Delaware, Inc.).
|
|
10
|
.7
|
|
Fourth Amendment to Loan and
Security Agreement, dated February 2, 2002, by and between
Fleet Retail Finance Inc. (f/k/a Bank Boston Retail Finance), as
agent for the Lenders, the Lenders and Aéropostale, Inc.
(f/k/a MSS-Delaware, Inc.).
|
|
10
|
.8
|
|
Lease Agreement, dated
April 1, 2006, between Frank Greek and Sons and
Aéropostale, Inc.
|
|
10
|
.9
|
|
Merchandise Servicing Agreement,
dated April 1, 2002, between American Distribution, Inc.
and Aeropostale, Inc.
|
|
10
|
.10
|
|
Interim Merchandise Servicing
Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2002, by and between
American Consolidation Inc. and Aéropostale, Inc.
|
|
10
|
.11
|
|
Sourcing Agreement, dated
July 22, 2002, by and among Federated Department Stores,
Inc., Specialty Acquisition Corporation and Aéropostale,
Inc.
|
|
10
|
.12
|
|
Amendment No. 1 to
Stockholders Agreement, dated April 23, 2002, by and
among Aéropostale, Inc., Bear Stearns MB
1998-1999
Pre-Fund, LLC and Julian R. Geiger.
|
|
10
|
.13
|
|
Employment Agreement, dated as of
February 1, 2002, between Aéropostale, Inc. and Julian
R. Geiger.
|
|
10
|
.14
|
|
Fifth Amendment to Loan and
Security Agreement, dated October 7, 2003, by and between
Fleet Retail Finance Inc. (f/k/a Bank Boston Retail Finance), as
agent for the Lenders, the Lenders and Aéropostale, Inc.
(f/k/a MSS-Delaware, Inc).
|
|
10
|
.15
|
|
Employment Agreement, dated as of
February 1, 2007, between Aéropostale, Inc. and
Michael J. Cunningham.
|
|
10
|
.16
|
|
Employment Agreement, dated as of
February 1, 2007, between Aéropostale, Inc. and Thomas
P. Johnson.
|
|
10
|
.17
|
|
Employment Agreement, dated as of
February 1, 2007, between Aéropostale, Inc. and
Olivera Lazic-Zangas.
|
|
10
|
.18
|
|
Amendment No. 1, dated as of
April 11, 2005, to Employment Agreement, dated as of
February 1, 2004, between Aéropostale, Inc. and Julian
R. Geiger.
|
|
10
|
.19
|
|
Employment Agreement, dated as of
February 1, 2007, between Aéropostale, Inc. and Mindy
Meads.
|
|
21
|
|
|
Subsidiaries of the Company.*
|
|
23
|
.1
|
|
Consent of Deloitte &
Touche LLP.*
|
|
31
|
.1
|
|
Certification by Julian R. Geiger,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
|
|
31
|
.2
|
|
Certification by Michael J.
Cunningham, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002.*
|
53
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
No.
|
|
Description
|
|
|
32
|
.1
|
|
Certification by Julian R. Geiger
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
|
|
32
|
.2
|
|
Certification by Michael J.
Cunningham pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002.*
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Filed herewith. |
|
|
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on
Form S-1,
originally filed by Aéropostale, Inc. on March 8, 2002
(Registration
No. 333-84056). |
|
|
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants Annual Report
on 10-K, for
the fiscal year ended February 1, 2003 (File
No. 001-31314). |
|
|
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants Quarterly
Report on
Form 10-Q,
for the quarterly period ended November 1, 2003 (File No.
001-31314). |
|
|
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants Current
Report on
Form 8-K,
dated February 6, 2007 (File
No. 001-31314). |
|
|
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants Annual Report
on
Form 10-K,
for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2006 (File
No. 001-31314). |
|
|
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants Current
Report on
Form 8-K,
dated March 8, 2007 (File
No. 001-31314). |
54
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
AÉROPOSTALE, INC.
Julian R. Geiger
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Director
Date: April 2, 2007
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this report has been signed below by the following
persons, on behalf of the Registrant, and in the capacities and
on the dates indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
/s/ Julian
R. Geiger
Julian
R. Geiger
|
|
Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer, and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
April 2, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Michael
J.
Cunningham
Michael
J. Cunningham
|
|
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
|
|
April 2, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Ross
A. Citta
Ross
A. Citta
|
|
Group Vice President
and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
April 2, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Bodil
Arlander
Bodil
Arlander
|
|
Director
|
|
April 2, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Ronald
Beegle
Ronald
Beegle
|
|
Director
|
|
April 2, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Mary
Elizabeth
Burton
Mary
Elizabeth Burton
|
|
Director
|
|
April 2, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Robert
B. Chavez
Robert
B. Chavez
|
|
Director
|
|
April 2, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ David
Edwab
David
Edwab
|
|
Director
|
|
April 2, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ John
D. Howard
John
D. Howard
|
|
Director
|
|
April 2, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Karin
Hirtler
Garvey
Karin
Hirtler Garvey
|
|
Director
|
|
April 2, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ David
B. Vermylen
David
B. Vermylen
|
|
Director
|
|
April 2, 2007
|
55
AÉROPOSTALE,
INC.
SCHEDULE II
VALUATION
AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance Beginning
|
|
|
Amounts Charged
|
|
|
Write-offs Against
|
|
|
Balance End
|
|
Reserve for Returns:
|
|
of Period
|
|
|
to Net Income
|
|
|
Reserve
|
|
|
of Period
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Year Ended February 3, 2007
|
|
$
|
654
|
|
|
$
|
512
|
|
|
$
|
536
|
|
|
$
|
630
|
|
Year Ended January 28, 2006
|
|
|
525
|
|
|
|
620
|
|
|
|
491
|
|
|
|
654
|
|
Year Ended January 29, 2005
|
|
|
672
|
|
|
|
233
|
|
|
|
380
|
|
|
|
525
|
|
56