American Eagle Outfitters History
Earlier company descriptions, brand line-ups, store counts and photographs from the history of American Eagle Outfitters, kept for historical reference.
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The Company Description of Its Time
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., through its subsidiaries (AEO, Inc.), offers high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products at affordable prices - the historical profile's summary, and the right starting point for this filing. The American Eagle Outfitters brand targets 15 to 25 year old girls and guys, with hundreds of stores in the U.S. and Canada and online at ae.com. Beside it, aerie by American Eagle offers Dormwear and intimates collections for the AE girl, with numerous standalone stores in the U.S. and Canada and online at aerie.com, and AE.COM, the online home of the brands of AEO, Inc., ships to more than 60 countries worldwide.
The Timeline, 1977 to 2008
1977: the first AE store opens in Twelve Oaks Mall, Novi, Michigan, a destination for those with a passion for the great outdoors. 1990: AE goes private and introduces private-label merchandise. 1994: AE goes public with an initial public offering of 2.3 million shares on NASDAQ under the AEOS symbol. 1997: defining denim - AE introduces signature denim fit systems offering a fit for everyone. 1998: AE launches ae.com. 1999: the first flagship store opens in downtown San Francisco. 2000: the 500th store opens. 2001: annual sales surpass $1 billion, and AE crosses the border into Canada.
2002 brings the 'Live Your Life' encouragement; 2003, two stores in Hawaii; 2004, the debut of the eagle icon; 2005, annual sales surpassing $2 billion. In 2006 aerie launches nationwide and MARTIN + OSA, a lifestyle brand for 28 to 40 year old men and women in hip, classic American style, is introduced. In 2007 AE moves to trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AEO, opens its corporate campus at 77 Hot Metal Street in Pittsburgh's Southside, launches aerie f.i.t. workout wear and the AE Better World philanthropy program. In 2008 MARTIN + OSA launches e-commerce and 77kids by American Eagle launches online, offering durable 'kid cool' clothing for kids ages two to 10 - after which the legend continues unwritten.
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