Here are 1-3 brief analogies for Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF):

• A direct competitor and peer to American Eagle Outfitters, selling apparel and accessories for young adults.

• Think of it as a more niche, trend-focused version of Gap Inc., appealing primarily to Gen Z and young adults.

• Apparel: Sells a wide range of casual and contemporary clothing for men, women, and children across its brands.
• Accessories: Offers various complementary items including bags, hats, belts, and footwear.
• Fragrances: Provides branded perfumes and colognes for men and women.
• Intimates and Loungewear: Features underwear, sleepwear, and loungewear, primarily through its Gilly Hicks brand.

Abercrombie & Fitch (symbol: ANF) primarily sells its apparel and accessories directly to individual consumers through its own retail stores and e-commerce websites across its various brands (Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids, Hollister Co., Gilly Hicks, and Social Tourist).

Given that the company sells primarily to individuals, here are up to three categories of customers it serves:

1. Young Adults and Young Professionals: This segment primarily targets individuals in their early 20s to early 30s. These customers are often drawn to the Abercrombie & Fitch brand for its elevated casual wear, contemporary styles, and quality apparel suitable for everyday life, social events, and work-from-home environments. They seek modern, fashionable clothing that balances trendiness with a sophisticated, yet relaxed, aesthetic.
2. Teens and Young Adults: This category largely encompasses customers in their mid-teens to early 20s, predominantly served by the Hollister Co. and Social Tourist brands, and also a segment of the Abercrombie & Fitch brand. These individuals are highly influenced by current fashion trends, social media, and peer culture. They seek comfortable, casual, and trendy clothing that allows for self-expression, often with a focus on affordability and a relaxed, youth-oriented style.
3. Children: Served by the abercrombie kids brand, this category targets children typically ranging from 5 to 14 years old. While children are the end-users, their parents are the primary purchasers. Parents seek stylish, comfortable, and durable clothing for their children that often mirrors the fashionable aesthetic of the adult Abercrombie & Fitch brand, adapted for younger ages.

Fran Horowitz Chief Executive Officer
Fran Horowitz joined Abercrombie & Fitch Co. in 2014 as the Hollister Brand President, was promoted to President and Chief Merchandising Officer in 2015, and became Chief Executive Officer in February 2017. Before joining A&F, she served as Brand President at Ann Taylor Loft. She also spent nearly eight years at Express, Inc., where she rose to Executive Vice President of Women's Merchandising and Design. Her early career included merchandising roles at Bloomingdale's, Bergdorf Goodman, Bonwit Teller, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Ms. Horowitz is credited with leading the successful transformation of A&F Co. She serves on the Board of Directors for Conagra Brands, Inc.

Robert J. Ball Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Robert J. Ball has served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. since 2024. Prior to this role, he held the position of Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance, Investor Relations, and Treasury for the company from May 2023 to November 2024.

Scott Lipesky Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
Scott Lipesky has been the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. since May 2023. He previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of the company from October 2017 to November 2024. Mr. Lipesky joined Abercrombie & Fitch in 2017 from American Signature Inc., a privately held home furnishings company, where he was CFO. His experience includes nine years with Abercrombie & Fitch Co. in various finance roles, including CFO of the Hollister brand. He also held roles as corporate finance director with FTI Consulting and director of corporate business development with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers as a CPA.

Samir Desai Executive Vice President, Chief Digital and Technology Officer
Samir Desai has been the Executive Vice President, Chief Digital and Technology Officer of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. since 2021. Before this, he held various leadership roles at Equinox Group, including Chief Technology Officer from 2016 to June 2021, Vice President of Technology from 2013 to April 2016, Senior Director of Technology from 2011 to April 2013, and Director of Technology from 2005 to April 2011. He also served as Director of Information Technology at Intertex Apparel Group.

Greg Henchel Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Greg Henchel serves as the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

• The rapid growth and market penetration of hyper-fast fashion retailers (e.g., Shein, Temu) which leverage ultra-low-cost supply chains and digital-first strategies to offer trendy apparel at significantly lower price points and faster turnover, directly competing for the discretionary spending of Abercrombie & Fitch's target younger demographics.
• The increasing normalization and adoption of the second-hand/resale apparel market, driven by platforms like ThredUp and Poshmark. This trend, fueled by consumer demand for sustainability and value, can divert a portion of consumer spending from new apparel purchases towards pre-owned items, impacting the demand for new inventory from brands like Abercrombie & Fitch.

Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) primarily operates in the apparel market, offering a wide range of clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children.

The addressable market sizes for their main products (apparel) are as follows:

• Global Apparel Market: The global apparel market is valued at approximately $1.84 trillion in 2025.
• U.S. Apparel Market: The United States apparel market is valued at approximately $365.70 billion in 2025.

1. Focused Brand Growth: The company expects continued strong performance from its Hollister brand, which has been a significant growth engine, along with a projected return to sales growth for the Abercrombie adult brand by the end of 2025. The "Always Forward" plan, introduced in June 2022, targets a 6% to 8% sales compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids brands over the three years ending fiscal 2025.
2. International Expansion and Market Diversification: Abercrombie & Fitch is actively pursuing international opportunities, particularly in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific (APAC) regions, with analysts expecting these areas to contribute to total revenue. The company has formed corporate teams in London and Shanghai to develop business in the U.K., Europe (with a focus on Germany), and the APAC region. Additionally, Abercrombie Kids has expanded globally into department stores like Nordstrom and Macy's through licensing partnerships to reach new customers and diversify its operating model.
3. Omni-channel Growth and Digital Acceleration: A core component of the "Always Forward" strategic plan is to accelerate an enterprise-wide digital revolution by enhancing customer understanding and delivering compelling experiences across all touchpoints. This involves continued investment in customer analytics and a focus on integrated omni-channel growth, combining a modernized, profitable store base with strong digital channels.
4. Strategic Store Footprint Optimization: The company plans to expand its physical retail presence by opening approximately 40 net new stores and remodeling 40 existing ones in 2025. These efforts aim to support the brand's overall experience and complement its strong online presence.
5. Increased Marketing Investment and Customer Engagement: Abercrombie & Fitch is increasing its global marketing investments year-over-year to bolster community and brand affinity. Key strategies include utilizing influencer marketing to reach its digitally-native customer base and leveraging significant marketing spend to support major partnerships, such as being an official NFL fashion partner, and fall campaigns to drive traffic across both physical and digital channels.