The Eagle has Landed

American Eagle Outfitters (Warrendale, Pa.) has announced the appointments of Roger Markfield and James O'Donnell as co-ceo's. Jay Schottenstein, ceo since 1992 (and part of the Schottenstein family that owns 26 percent of the retail organization), will remain chairman.

Markfield, president and chief merchandising officer since 1995, joined American Eagle Outfitters in 1993 as executive vp. O'Donnell joined American Eagle Outfitters in December 2000 as coo.

The mall-based retailer sells casual apparel and accessories (shirts, jeans, shorts, sweaters, skirts, footwear, belts, bags) aimed at men and women ages 16-34. Virtually all of the company's products bear its private-label brand names: American Eagle Outfitters and AE. It operates about 700 American Eagle stores in the U.S. and Canada, with more stores reportedly in the works. Its Canadian subsidiary, Bluenotes/Thriftys, targets a slightly younger demographic, offering a more urban/suburban, denim-driven collection for 12- to 22-year-olds through 111 stores in Canada.