Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jul. 28, 2012

Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock option activity

	Common Stock Options			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(in thousands)			(per share)		(in years)		(in thousands)
Outstanding January 28, 2012		1,600		$	18.41		7.32	$	15,680
Granted		121		$	27.40
Exercised		(48	)	$	6.16
Expired or forfeited		(13	)	$	19.92
Outstanding July 28, 2012		1,660		$	19.40		7.07	$	14,610
Vested at July 28, 2012		1,006		$	14.18		6.22	$	13,196

Estimated fair value of stock options

	Thirteen weeks ended						Twenty-six weeks ended
	July 28, 2012			July 30, 2011			July 28, 2012			July 30, 2011
Risk-free interest rate (1)		1.2	%		2.7	%		1.2%-1.8	%		2.1%-2.9	%
Dividend yield		—			—			—			—
Volatility factors for the expected market price of the Company’s common stock (2)		53.0	%		55.0	%		53.0	%		55.0	%
Weighted average expected term (3)		6.0 years			6.0 years			6.0 years			6.0 years

⁽¹⁾ Based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant with a term consistent with the expected life of stock options.

⁽²⁾ Expected stock price volatility is based on comparable volatilities of peer companies within rue21’s industry.

⁽³⁾ Represents the period of time options are expected to be outstanding. The weighted-average expected option term was determined using the “simplified method” as allowed by Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 14. The expected term used to value a share option grant under the simplified method is the midpoint between the vesting date and the contractual term of the share option.

Non-vested outstanding restricted stock units

	Time-Based Restricted Stock Units Twenty-six weeks Ended July 28,  2012					Performance Share Units Twenty-six weeks Ended July 28,  2012
	Shares			Weighted Averaged Fair Value at Grant Date		Shares		Weighted Averaged Fair Value at Grant Date
	(in thousands)			(per share)		(in thousands)		(per share)
Non-vested as of January 28, 2012		162		$	29.85		—	$	—
Granted		176		$	27.20		197	$	27.26
Vested		(47	)	$	30.41		—	$	—
Non-vested as of July 28, 2012		291		$	28.16		197	$	27.26