American Eagle Outfitters Inc.

The story of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO) begins in 1977, born from the vision of brothers Jerry and Mark Silverman. They opened the first American Eagle Outfitters store in Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, Michigan, as a subsidiary of their family's business, Retail Ventures, Inc. The initial concept was to create an accessible and welcoming retail space offering affordable, durable, and diverse apparel. For over a decade, the Silverman family grew the brand, establishing its roots in the American retail landscape. However, a pivotal moment arrived in 1991 when the family sold their ownership interests. This transition marked a new chapter for the company, setting the stage for a significant transformation. The Schottenstein family, who had been 50% owners since 1980, took full control, steering the brand towards its modern identity as a purveyor of casual, private-label clothing for young men and women.

Under the new leadership, particularly with Jay Schottenstein taking the helm as CEO in 1992, American Eagle Outfitters found its definitive niche. The company went public on the NASDAQ stock exchange in 1994 with 167 stores and a healthy financial outlook. This period ignited a phase of explosive growth, with revenues quintupling to $1 billion by the year 2000. The brand's expansion wasn't just financial; it was geographical and conceptual. AEO launched its first Canadian store in 2001 and began a significant international expansion in 2010. A crucial development in the company's journey was the launch of Aerie, a sub-brand focused on lingerie and lifestyle products for women. Aerie quickly became a powerhouse in its own right, championing body positivity with its #AerieREAL campaign, which features unretouched photos. Today, American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. is a global, multi-brand retailer, including American Eagle, Aerie, Todd Snyder, and Unsubscribed, operating over a thousand stores worldwide and shipping to approximately 80 countries. It has evolved from a single store in a Michigan mall into a global symbol of youth optimism and authentic self-expression.