American Eagle Outfitters Reports Record December Sales of $256.0 Million, An Increase of 10.9%

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American Eagle Outfitters Reports Record December Sales of $256.0 Million, An Increase of 10.9%

                       Comparable Store Sales Rise 0.5%

    WARRENDALE, Pa., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ --
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (Nasdaq: AEOS) today announced that total
sales for the five weeks ended January 5, 2002 increased 10.9% to
$256.0 million from $230.9 million for the period ended December 30, 2000.
Total sales for the five weeks ended January 5, 2002 include $17.2 million
from the Bluenotes/Thriftys operation.  U.S. same store sales for the five
weeks ended January 5, 2002 increased 0.5% compared to the corresponding
five-week period ended January 6, 2001.
    Total sales for the forty-eight week period ended January 5, 2002
increased 27.6% to $1.303 billion from $1.021 billion for the forty-eight week
period ended December 30, 2000.  Total sales for the period include
$96.5 million from the Bluenotes/Thriftys operation.   U.S. same store sales
for the 2001 period rose 2.1% compared to the corresponding period last year.
    Jim O'Donnell, Chief Operating Officer, said, "We are pleased with our
holiday sales performance, particularly given the challenging and highly
promotional retail environment.  Assuming our January financial performance is
in line with our current expectations, we anticipate fourth quarter earnings
to be in the range of $0.56 to $0.60 per share, which would result in record
sales and earnings for fiscal 2001."
    Founded in 1977, the Company designs, markets, and sells the American
Eagle brand of relaxed, clean, and versatile clothing for 16 to 34 year olds,
providing high-quality merchandise at affordable prices. AE's lifestyle
collection offers casual basics like cargos complemented by fashion looks in
stretch, denim, and other modern fabrications. The Company also operates the
Bluenotes/Thriftys specialty apparel chain in Canada.  Bluenotes/Thriftys
offers an urban inspired, denim-driven collection for 12 to 22 year olds. The
Company currently operates 631 American Eagle Outfitters stores in 47 states
and the District of Columbia, 46 American Eagle Outfitters stores in Canada,
and 114 Bluenotes/Thriftys stores in Canada.  AE also operates via its
Internet business, ae.com.

    To access our recorded monthly sales commentary, please call 800-642-1687,
conference code #2835617.

    "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995: This release contains forward-looking statements, which represent our
expectations or beliefs concerning future events, specifically regarding
January sales and fourth quarter earnings.  All forward-looking statements
made by the Company involve material risks and uncertainties and are subject
to change based on factors beyond the Company's control.  Such factors
include, but are not limited to, the risk that our January sales and quarterly
financial plans may not be achieved, and those other risks described in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Accordingly,
the Company's future performance and financial results may differ materially
from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements.  The
Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking
statements even if future changes make it clear that projected results
expressed or implied will not be realized.

SOURCE American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

http://www.ae.com
Company News On-Call:

http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/104763.html
CONTACT:
Laura Weil or Judy Meehan, both of American
Eagle Outfitters, +1-724-776-4857