P.s. from Aeropostale now open in Carolina Place, Concord Mills

Charlotte has its first P.s. from Aeropostales, a children's clothing store aimed at 7- to 12-year-olds. The store, a banner of the larger teen clothing retailer Aeropostale, opened at Carolina Place and Concord Mills on Friday.

The stores were two of seven new P.s. from Aeropostale locations the retailer opened last quarter. Aeropostale, and other apparel retailers, have been struggling with the dual problem of higher costs for the materials their clothes are made from and the still-shaky economic recovery.

Last week, Aeropostale shares tumbled after it warned investors to expect second quarter earnings to be well below analyst estimates. The company said product discounts are eating into profits.

The children's clothing store is a much smaller brand than the retailer's main banner. There are 965 Aeropostale stores and only 47 P.s. from Aeropostale.