American Eagle Outfitters
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox company
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. is an American clothing and accessories retailer headquartered at SouthSide Works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1977 by brothers Jerry and Mark Silverman as a subsidiary of Retail Ventures, Inc., a company that also owned and operated Silverman's Menswear. The Silvermans sold half their ownership interests in 1980 to the Schottenstein family and the remainder in 1991.<ref name="fundinguniverse.com">History of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. – FundingUniverse Template:Webarchive. Fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved on July 23, 2013.</ref> American Eagle Outfitters is the parent company of Aerie, Unsubscribed and Todd Snyder.<ref name="American-Eagle-Outfitters-Mar-2012-10-K">Template:Cite web</ref>
American Eagle retails jeans, polo shirts, graphic T-shirts, boxers, outerwear, and swimwear. American Eagle targets male and female university and high school students, although older adults also wear the brand.
In 1977, the first American Eagle Outfitters store opened in Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, Michigan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of January 2023, the company operated 1,175 American Eagle stores, 175 Aerie stores, and 12 Todd Snyder stores across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Hong Kong.<ref name="yahoofinance">Template:Cite web</ref>
Development
American Eagle's beginning was with the Silverman family, which owned and operated Silvermans Menswear. By the mid-1970s, two of the Silverman brothers—the third generation of Silvermans in the family business—were running the business. Jerry Silverman was the president and CEO, while his brother, Mark, served as executive vice-president and COO. The Silverman brothers were convinced they needed to diversify their product offerings in order to continue growing their company. They also recognized that the addition of new family-owned chains would then enable them to operate more than one store in the same mall. Their first attempt was to open American Eagle Outfitters in 1977, positioning it as a proprietor of brand-name leisure apparel, footwear, as well as accessories for men and women, emphasizing merchandise suited for outdoor sports, such as hiking, mountain climbing, and camping.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Stores were set up in shopping malls and a catalog was established. The chain grew for much of the 1980s. In 1989, the owners decided to refocus their business on American Eagle Outfitters, selling their other retail chains. At the time, there were 137 American Eagle Outfitters stores in 36 different states.
Despite the plans for quick growth after the reorganization, American Eagle Outfitters opened only 16 new stores by 1991 and the company was losing money. At this point, the Schottensteins, who had been 50% owners of the chain since 1980, bought out the Silverman family's interest. This change in leadership resulted in American Eagle finding its present niche: casual clothing for men and women, selling private label clothes.Template:Citation needed
When the company began trading on the NASDAQ stock exchange in the second quarter of 1994, it had 167 stores and a healthy cash flow. Template:Citation needed With the cash infusion from the IPO, the company opened more than 90 new stores over the next year. Several new executives joined the company in 1995 and '96, leading to another change in the target demographic. Template:Citation needed Over the next five years, revenues quintupled to $1 billion by 2000.<ref name="fundinguniverse.com" /> AEO opened the first Canadian store in 2000.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
As of January 30, 2016, the company operated 949 AEO brand stores, and 97 stand-alone and 67 side-by-side Aerie stores in shopping malls, lifestyle centers, and street locations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong, China, the United Kingdom, and internationally.<ref name="yahoofinance" /> The company had 21 franchised stores operated by franchise partners in 10 countries.<ref name="American-Eagle-Outfitters-Mar-2012-10-K" /> On January 22, 2014, then-CEO Robert Hanson stepped down<ref name="Robert Hanson Exits American Eagle">Template:Cite web</ref> and Jay Schottenstein became interim CEO.<ref name="American Eagle Outfitters Names Jay Schottenstein Interim CEO">Template:Cite web</ref>
Finances and operations
On March 15, 2005, the company adjusted its accounting of rent expenses and construction allowances after the Securities and Exchange Commission noted that a number of companies had been improperly logging these items.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Due to "disappointing product execution in the women's category", American Eagle posted only a 3% gain in its 2013 second-quarter profits and the stock price dropped.<ref name="American Eagle Posts 3% Q2 Profits">Template:Cite web</ref>
Products
On 27 July 2020, American Eagle Outfitters revealed it would sell a new range of fitness wear called "Offline" by Aerie, targeted at consumers who want apparel that can be used for both their workouts and relaxation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Corporate and headquarters
In mid-2007, American Eagle moved its headquarters from Warrendale, Pennsylvania, to a more urban location at the SouthSide Works complex in Pittsburgh. The cost of the buildings and adjacent property was approximately $21 million (excluding interior finishing and additional construction costs). The addresses of the buildings are 19 Hot Metal Street and 77 Hot Metal Street, with the numbers symbolizing the first store opening in 1977. The Southside Works Campus includes a private garage, a lab store for each brand, a photo studio, and an in-house cafeteria. Other offices are in New York (design and production).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Franchise agreement
In June 2009, the company signed the franchise agreement with M. H. Alshaya, one of the leading retailers in the Middle East.<ref name="American-Eagle-Outfitters-May-2009-8-K">Template:Cite web</ref> The agreement saw the introduction of the first stores outside North America, with the first two opening in Dubai and Kuwait on March 16 and 25, 2010, respectively, and another that opened on October 15, 2011, in Kaslik, Lebanon. Another opened in June 2012 in Hamra Street, Beirut, followed by one in Beirut City Centre, Hazmieh.Template:Citation needed
Logistics
The company maintains distribution centers in Hazleton, Pennsylvania; Ottawa, Kansas; and Mississauga, Ontario.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Stores
Items are placed on wooden shelving, tables, or clothes racks. The clothes in AEO Factory stores are hung on basic black hangers, and AEO stores have wooden hangers. There is usually a flat-screen television hanging in the back of the store or behind the cash wrap. The floors are typically wood or concrete. The theme and displays change based on seasonal lines and promotions.
Subsidiaries
aerie
In February 2006, American Eagle launched the aerie lingerie sub-brand, targeting American 15- to 22-year-old females.<ref name=Moin2006>Template:Cite news</ref> In addition to lingerie such as bras and other undergarments, the aerie line sells dorm wear, active apparel, loungewear, accessories and sleepwear. What started as a sub-brand quickly became a standalone concept in its own right, featuring a complete fitness line, called aerie f.i.t. The aerie brand is sold in American Eagle Outfitters stores, on the American Eagle website, and in stand-alone aerie retail stores. The first stand-alone aerie store opened in August 2006 in Greenville, South Carolina,<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> and was followed by two more test stores later that year. As of December 2010, there were 147 stand-alone aerie stores in the U.S. and Canada.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Aerie has started a campaign that focuses on promoting models' real bodies. This entails their slogan #AerieREAL and adding to their advertisements that models have not been retouched. In this way they take a stand against the use of photo manipulation in media. Iskra Lawrence, while she models for the lingerie line, is also the global role model for the brand.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Martin + Osa
The company's second stand-alone lifestyle concept launched in 2006 and targeted men and women age 28 to 40.<ref name="American-Eagle-Outfitters-Oct-2005-8-K">Template:Cite web</ref> It featured cashmere sweaters and casual clothing for an older target audience. It also sold products by Fred Perry, Ray-Ban, Adidas, Onitsuka Tiger, and HOBO International. In March 2010, management announced that all 28 Martin + Osa stores would be closed, after a failure in retail markets, causing AEO, Inc. to lose up to $44 million.<ref name="American-Eagle-Outfitters-Mar-2010-8-K">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
77kids
In October 2008, American Eagle released and launched 77kids, a line of clothing aimed at children aged two to ten.<ref name="American-Eagle-Outfitters-Nov-2008-8-K">Template:Cite web</ref> Initially an online only concept, AEO opened its first 77kids store on July 15, 2010, in The Mall at Robinson in Pittsburgh,<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> and eight others followed that year. Expansion continued throughout FY2011. 77kids stores, targeted at younger children, featured interactive games and activities throughout the stores that children could play with while shopping.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
American Eagle Outfitters announced on May 15, 2012, that it would sell or close all 22 77kids stores by the end of July 2012.<ref name="American-Eagle-Outfitters-May-2012-8-K">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Robert Hanson, who became CEO in January 2012, said 77kids had a loss after taxes of roughly $24 million on sales of $40 million in the 2011 fiscal year. On August 3, 2012, American Eagle Outfitters completed the sale of its 77kids to Ezrani 2 Corp, a company formed by Ezra Dabah, the former chairman and CEO of The Children's Place.<ref name="American-Eagle-Outfitters-Aug-2012-8-K">Template:Cite web</ref> Ezrani renamed the store "Ruum" in 2013.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Tailgate and Todd Snyder
In November 2015, American Eagle Outfitters acquired Todd Snyder's eponymous label, as well as his Tailgate Clothing Company, a brand centered on vintage-style collegiate apparel.<ref>American Eagle Acquires Todd Snyder in $11 Million Deal Template:Webarchive Women's Wear Daily</ref> American Eagle initially focused on Southeastern Conference and Big Ten colleges, hoping to gain more popularity among its target demographic of teenagers and college students.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Bluenotes'
After its acquisition of Thiftys from Dylex, the 107 stores were rebranded as Bluenotes' in 2000, then sold off in 2004.
Unsubscribed
American Eagle Outfitters created a new upmarket brand focused on sustainable quality goods in 2020. Boutiques can be found in prestigious resort neighborhoods.
Quiet Logistics
American Eagle Outfitters announced a $350 million acquisition of Quiet Logistics on November 2, 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The acquisition was completed on December 29, 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
International expansion
American Eagle opened its first Canadian store in 2001 after it purchased assets of Dylex. In 2010, AEO opened stores in Kuwait, Riyadh, and Dubai. A store in Kaslik, Lebanon, opened on October 15, 2011. A store in Cairo, Egypt, opened in late 2011. In September 2011, two stores opened in Moscow, Russia. Its first store in Jordan opened in November 2011 in TAJ Lifestyle Center. Its first store in Tokyo, Japan, opened on April 18, 2012. The first store in Tel Aviv, Israel, opened in February 2012,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> after the Israeli-based clothing retailer FOX signed a contract with AEO, and expanded to Jerusalem.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> There are also stores in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> American Eagle Outfitters opened its first store in the Philippines in March 2013.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
American Eagle is also opening stores in Mexico. The first opened in Mexico City at Fashion Mall Perisur on February 20, 2013, and at Centro Santa Fe in June. Another opened in Guadalajara later in 2013 at Fashion Mall Galerías Guadalajara.<ref>American Eagle en México: una posibilidad a corto plazo - Moda - Masaryk.tv | My Web Lifestyle. Masaryk.tv. Retrieved on July 23, 2013.</ref> In 2014 the company financed the rescue and renovation of the Jardín Edith Sánchez Ramírez pocket park in Mexico City.
American Eagle expanded to the U.K. in November 2014, opening stores in Westfield London, Westfield Stratford City, and Bluewater.<ref name="AEO opening UK stores">Template:Cite web</ref> The Westfield London store opened on November 14, 2014, the Westfield Stratford City store on November 17, 2014, and the Bluewater store on November 19, 2014. All UK operations have ceased, with the UK website closed and all UK stores closed by the end of July 2017.<ref name="American Eagle UK opening dates">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
American Eagle Outfitters opened its first store in Muscat, Oman, on October 3, 2015.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The company made its debut in the Indian market in June 2018 with first store launched in DLF Mall of India, Noida.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Today it operates 17 stores across the country.
AEO entered the Chilean market in September 2015, with the opening of its first store in the Parque Arauco shopping center. After it arrived in the Chilean market, the company's expansion was concentrated in Santiago.
In 2019, American Eagle Outfitters became one of only two major clothing companies with commitments in line with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global average temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2020, American Eagle Outfitters opened its first store in Prague, Czech Republic, in the factory outlet center Fashion Arena Prague Outlet.<ref name="retailguide.cz">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023, AEO opened its first store in Uruguay, Punta Carretas Shopping.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Controversies
Strike
In 2004, the textile and apparel workers union UNITE HERE launched the "American Vulture" back-to-school boycott of American Eagle<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in protest of alleged workers' rights violations at the company's Canadian distribution contractor National Logistics Services (NLS). On the 2007 second-quarter conference call,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> CEO James O'Donnell clarified the American Eagle's relationship with NLS and its effect on business. He explained, Template:Cquote
Abercrombie & Fitch lawsuits
Since 1999, Abercrombie & Fitch has sued American Eagle Outfitters at least three times for allegedly copying its designs and its advertisements. On all occasions, American Eagle prevailed in court on the grounds that A&F cannot stop it from presenting similar designs since such designs cannot be copyrighted in the United States. Nevertheless, American Eagle clothing designs have since trended away in appearance from Abercrombie & Fitch designs.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> Judges have generally ruled that giving Abercrombie exclusive rights to market its clothing in a certain way "would be anti-competitive."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On July 23, 2025, American Eagle launched a campaign featuring the actress Sydney Sweeney in which she was marketed as having "great jeans", a pun on "great genes".<ref name="Newman 08122025">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="ShieldsCNN"/><ref name="Yang 07282025"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Restrepo 08012025">Template:Cite news</ref> Some outlets compared the advertisement to a 1980 Calvin Klein campaign that featured Brooke Shields.<ref name="ShieldsCNN">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Restrepo 08012025"/> American Eagle Outfitters stock price rose 10% after announcing the campaign, which was designed to improve sales with Generation Z customers amid uncertainty over increased costs due to tariffs, and was reportedly the company's most expensive campaign to date.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the first few days, the majority of social media sentiment towards the campaign was positive and apolitical.<ref name="Bensinger 08072025">Template:Cite news</ref> However, by the end of July, some social media users had started accusing the campaign of promoting eugenics and white supremacy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Newman 08122025"/> The New York Times later reported that negative reactions initially came from a small number of accounts with relatively few followers. They claimed that "the right" then exaggerated that limited backlash,<ref name="Bensinger 08072025"/> calling it an example of "wokeness" and cancel culture,<ref name="fortune"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which in turn increased left-leaning criticism.<ref name="Bensinger 08072025"/> Some online posts compared the campaign to Nazi propaganda.<ref name="EuronewsMouriquand">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="fortune">Template:Cite web</ref> The media widely reported on the controversy<ref name="Guardian-Mahdawi">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Yang 07282025">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and interviewed commentators and academics, several of whom endorsed the criticism.<ref name="ShieldsCNN"/><ref name="Born">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> MSNBC supported the backlash;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The New York Times, The Independent and Deadline said the controversy was being largely manufactured by conservatives.<ref name="Bensinger 08072025"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Atlantic and the Los Angeles Times found the reactions from both sides exaggerated.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Trump administration commented on the affair, with JD Vance mocking the Democrats for "[attacking] people as Nazis for thinking Sydney Sweeney is beautiful" and Donald Trump praising "the HOTTEST ad out there." A few hours after Trump's comment, AE's stock price rose about 23%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On August 1, American Eagle responded by stating that the ad campaign "is and always was about the jeans."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In September, the company assessed the campaign as "a winner": CMO Craig Brommers said that it had "generated unprecedented new customer acquisition" and CEO Jay Schottenstein credited that campaign, together with another that featured Travis Kelce, for an "uptick in customer awareness, engagement and comparable sales".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The ad campaign was parodied by Katie Couric in a public service announcement that encouraged people to have regular colon cancer screenings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In October 2025, the ad campaign was referenced in a sketch titled KPop Demon Hunters on the season 51 premiere episode of Saturday Night Live.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
International stores
Locations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Hong Kong are operated directly by American Eagle, whereas other locations are operated under license agreements with third parties.<ref name=10K/>
|
Africa: |
Americas:
|
Asia:
|
Europe:
|
See also
References
External links
Template:Men's undergarments Template:Pittsburgh Corporations
- Pages with broken file links
- Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange
- Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq
- Companies based in Pittsburgh
- Clothing retailers of the United States
- Clothing brands of the United States
- 2000s fashion
- 2010s fashion
- 2020s fashion
- Retail companies established in 1977
- Clothing companies established in 1977
- 1977 establishments in Pennsylvania
- Clothing brands
- 1994 initial public offerings
- American companies established in 1977