Aeropostale banks on retail expansion in Asia, Middle East and Africa

US teen fashion retailer Aeropostale has announced additional expansions in Asia and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), which are set to start at the beginning of 2016. Two new licensing agreements will help Aeropostale launch in Thailand and Egypt over the next five years, the company said in a press release.

In Thailand, Aeropostale signed a licensing agreement with Robinson Department Store Public Company Limited and plans to open approximately 40 standalone and shop-in-shop stores in Thailand, of which the first will open at Robinson Department Store in Sriracha. In Egypt, the company is partnering with Q and A Retail Company and plans to open approximately 10 standalone stores over the next five years.

"Aeropostale's international expansion began in Asia and the Middle East and it is with great pleasure that we announce further expansion across these key regions. Thailand and Egypt will be important markets as we continue to expand globally across Asia, the Middle East and Africa. We are confident that our partnerships with Robinson Department Store and Q and A Retail Company will ensure that the Aeropostale brand will continue to thrive and prosper internationally", commented Aeropostale CEO Julian R. Geiger.

Paresh Chauhan, executive vice president of international brands at Robinson Department Store hopes that "the brand's strong combination of trend-right merchandise at compelling prices" will make Aeropostale and Robinson "leaders in teen fashion in our market" while Ayman Seoudy, director of Q&A Retail Company can't wait to bring Aeropostale to North Africa for the first time. "We are confident that the strength of the Aeropostale brand will resonate with the consumers of Egypt and we look forward to continuing our expansion throughout the region over the next several years", said Seoudy.