Exhibit 99.1
                                                               -
      AEROPOSTALE DECLARES STOCK SPLIT AND INCREASES STOCK BUYBACK PROGRAM

                       ---Declares 3-For-2 Stock Split ---

    ---Authorizes Additional $35 Million for Stock Repurchase Program; Total
                            Program $70 Million ---

NEW YORK--March 10, 2004--Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE:ARO), a mall-based specialty
retailer of casual and active apparel for young women and men, today announced a
3-for-2 stock split on all shares of its common stock that will be effected in
the form of a stock dividend. The stock split will entitle all shareholders of
record at the close of business on April 12, 2004 to receive one additional
share of Common Stock for every two shares of Common Stock held on that date.
The additional shares will be distributed to shareholders on or about April 26,
2004. Cash will be paid in lieu of issuing fractional shares based on the
closing price of the company's common stock on April 12, 2004 (as adjusted for
the stock split). Aeropostale has approximately 37.9 million shares outstanding,
and given the effect of the stock split, will have approximately 56.9 million
shares outstanding.

The Company also announced that its board of directors has approved an increase
in its common stock repurchase program to acquire an additional $35 million of
its outstanding common stock. The board of directors had authorized a common
stock repurchase program for $35 million in November 2003. The announcement
today will bring the total stock repurchase program to $70 million. As of
January 31, 2004, the company purchased back approximately $17.7 million (630
thousand shares) under the stock repurchase program.

Julian R. Geiger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Given our strong
cash position and projected cash flows, we believe the implementation of an
additional $35 million share repurchase program is an excellent means to return
additional value to our shareholders."

About Aeropostale, Inc.

Aeropostale, Inc. (www.aeropostale.com) is a mall-based specialty retailer of
casual apparel and accessories that targets both young women and young men aged
11 to 20. The company provides customers with a selection of high-quality,
active-oriented, fashion basic merchandise in a high-energy store environment.
The company maintains complete control over the proprietary brand by designing
and sourcing all of its own merchandise. Aeropostale products can be purchased
only in its stores, which sell Aeropostale merchandise exclusively.

The first Aeropostale store was opened in 1987. The company currently operates
462 stores in 41 states.

Special Note: Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: Except for historical information contained herein, the
statements made in this release constitute 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 the company's 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. These factors



include the company's ability to implement its growth strategy successfully,
changes in consumer fashion preferences, economic and other conditions in the
markets in which we operate, competition, seasonality and the other risks
discussed in the company's prospectus dated July 28, 2003 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated in this
release by reference.

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