Opens First Stores Outside North America in the Middle East
PITTSBURGH, Mar 11, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) today announced the opening
of its first stores outside of North America. This month, flagship
American Eagle Outfitters stores will open in Dubai and Kuwait City.
This Middle East launch comes in cooperation with M.H. Alshaya Co., the
leading retailer in the region, which last year signed a franchise
agreement to open a series of American Eagle Outfitters stores in
international markets over the next several years.
A new 9,400 square-foot American Eagle Outfitters store will open in
Dubai on March 16 at a premier new location at Mirdiff City Centre. An
8,500 square-foot store will open in Kuwait City on March 25 at the
Avenues Mall. Both stores will feature the casual lifestyle of the brand
and provide the same high-quality, on-trend clothing and accessories at
affordable prices featured at American Eagle Outfitters stores
throughout North America. Also available at the new stores will be the
latest collection of aerie, the comfortable loungewear and intimates
brand by AEO.
"We are very excited to expand the international presence of the
American Eagle Outfitters brand," said Jim O'Donnell, chief executive
officer, American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. "There is a significant
appetite for the AEO brand internationally, and we are excited to bring
our high-quality, affordable fashion to customers in the Middle East. We
are confident that our franchise partner, M.H. Alshaya, will bring the
authentic AEO brand experience to life given their track record of
presenting the world's most prominent brands in international markets."
"We are very proud to introduce America Eagle Outfitters to the Middle
Eastern market," stated Mohammed Alshaya, Executive Chairman of M.H.
Alshaya Co. "As a company dedicated to our customers' needs we are
always determined to bring in fresh and strong brands and therefore
contribute to creating a most fashionable, cosmopolitan environment in
the region."
American Eagle Outfitters operates 938 stores throughout the United
States and Canada, and through its e-commerce business, ships
merchandise to 75 countries worldwide.
About American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., through its subsidiaries, ("AEO, Inc.")
offers high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care
products at affordable prices. The American Eagle Outfitters(R) brand
targets 15 to 25 year old girls and guys, with 938 stores in the U.S.
and Canada and online at www.ae.com.
aerie(R) by american eagle offers Dormwear(R) and intimates collections for
the AE(R) girl, with over 110 standalone stores in the U.S. and Canada and
online at www.aerie.com.
MARTIN + OSA(R) provides Refined Casual(TM) fashions for 28 to 40 year old
men and women at its 28 stores and online at www.martinandosa.com.
The latest brand, 77kids(R) by american eagle(R), is
available online only at www.77kids.com,
offering "kid cool," durable clothing and accessories for kids ages two
to 10. AE.COM(R),
the online home of the brands of AEO, Inc. ships to 75 countries
worldwide.
About M.H. Alshaya Co.
M.H. Alshaya Co. is a leading international franchise operator for over
50 of the world's most recognized retail brands, including Express,
Starbucks, H&M, The Body Shop, Foot Locker, Mothercare, Debenhams, River
Island and Boots. The company operates over 1,700 stores across six
divisions: Fashion & Footwear, Health & Beauty, Food, Casual Dining,
Optics and Pharmaceuticals.
M.H. Alshaya Co. stores can currently be found in 16 markets across the
Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, Cyprus, Russia, Poland and Egypt.
More recently, the company launched operations in Slovakia, Czech
Republic and Hungary. It employs more than 15,000 people from over 35
nationalities.
Learn more about the company at www.alshaya.com
SOURCE: American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
Stephanie Oschwald, 412-432-4548
oschwalds@ae.com