Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is a global apparel retailer that designs and sells casual clothing and accessories for men, women, and kids through a family of brands that includes Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie Kids, Hollister, Gilly Hicks, and Social Tourist. The company reaches customers through a mix of physical stores and a sizable e‑commerce business, with brand sites and mobile apps now integral to how it serves shoppers and plans its store network.

The business dates back to 1892, when David T. Abercrombie opened an outdoor outfitter in New York City. Ezra Fitch joined soon after, and the Abercrombie & Fitch name was adopted in 1904 as the company built a reputation as an upscale sporting goods and expedition retailer. After financial difficulties and a 1977 bankruptcy, the brand was acquired in 1988 by The Limited, which shifted the concept toward youth apparel and began building the modern mall‑based store fleet that many landlords recognize today.

A major expansion period followed in the 1990s and 2000s under CEO Mike Jeffries, as the company grew rapidly across the United States and into international markets. During this time it launched Hollister Co. in 2000, later adding Gilly Hicks as an intimate and activewear concept, and Social Tourist as a digitally led brand aimed at younger shoppers. After facing brand and merchandising challenges in the 2010s, leadership repositioned the business toward a more inclusive image with a broader age range, less emphasis on logos, and a more balanced assortment for both men and women.

Today, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates a multi‑brand fleet serving North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia‑Pacific, and select Latin American markets. As of March 2024, the company reported more than 760 stores globally across its banners, including full‑price, flagship, and outlet locations. The store base is supported by regional distribution and omnichannel fulfillment, allowing customers to shop seamlessly across stores and digital channels. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ANF and remains an independent, standalone organization that owns and operates all of its brands.

Over roughly the last five years, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has been reshaping its physical footprint and customer proposition. Management has prioritized smaller, next‑generation formats that drive higher productivity, while closing underperforming legacy stores and right‑sizing existing locations. Instead of broad, speculative market entry, the company is using data from its e‑commerce business to identify targeted infill and relocation opportunities. This includes selective openings in key North American, European, Middle Eastern, and Asia‑Pacific markets where digital demand signals support long‑term performance.

The current store strategy centers on high‑quality real estate in top‑tier U.S. regional malls and lifestyle centers, urban high streets in North America and Europe, and prominent tourist and gateway markets across EMEA. The company is also investing in remodels and omni‑focused layouts, along with a limited number of flagship stores in major urban and tourist corridors, to showcase the brands and drive traffic. For owners and leasing teams, Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s multi‑brand platform, disciplined but active expansion, and willingness to reinvest through remodels and format changes position it as a credible apparel anchor and repeat traffic driver across a range of retail environments.

In fiscal 2023, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. generated approximately $4.28 billion in net sales and employed about 8,600 associates globally. The business operates across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC segments, with each region contributing to a balanced portfolio that supports continued, measured physical growth alongside a strong and growing digital channel.