Sales plunge 15% at Aeropostale in Q3 FY'14

For the third quarter of fiscal 2013, net sales decreased 15% to $514.6 million, from $605.9 million in the year ago period. Comparable sales, including the e-commerce channel, for the third quarter decreased 15%, compared to the corresponding 13-week period ended November 3, 2012.

The Company reported a net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 of $25.6 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, which included an after-tax charge of approximately $2.8 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, resulting from store asset impairment charges.

Excluding the aforementioned charges, the Company reported an adjusted net loss of $22.9 million, or $0.29 per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

Net revenue from the Company's e-commerce business for the third quarter of fiscal 2013, including net revenues from the GoJane.com business, which was acquired on November 13, 2012, was flat to the year ago period.

The Company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $68.0 million and no debt.  The Company currently has $104.4 million of availability remaining under its share repurchase program.

The Company opened three Aeropostale and six P.S. from Aeropostale stores, and closed four Aeropostale stores during the quarter. For the third quarter, the Company invested $23.9 million in planned capital expenditures.

The Company announced earnings guidance for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.  The Company expects a net loss in the range of $0.24 to $0.32 per diluted share, compared to adjusted earnings of $0.24 per diluted share in the same period last year. This earnings guidance does not include the impact of any potential store asset impairment charges, and assumes an effective tax rate of approximately 36.0% versus a tax rate of 40.8% last year.

For fiscal 2014, the Company plans to open approximately 11 Aeropostale stores, approximately 5 P.S. from Aeropostale stores, remodel approximately 26 Aeropostale stores, and close approximately 40 to 50 Aeropostale stores. 

The Company expects to invest approximately $35.0 million in fiscal 2014 primarily related to store growth, store remodels and certain infrastructure investments.  This compares to capital expenditures of approximately $82.0 million planned for fiscal 2013.

Aeropostale