Abercrombie To Try Discounting

In an effort to turn around sales, Abercrombie & Fitch executives are considering cutting prices at its stores, a strategy that it has refused to undertake to compete with other chains.

The retailer definitely needs to do something. During its most recent quarter, same-store sales fell a whopping 30% year over year, while net sales fell 23%. Those are bad numbers even in this crazy environment.

Surprise! Abercrombie at Center of Controversy

Abercrombie & Fitch is making headlines again. This time because, of all things, it made a $10-million donation to a Ohio hospital, and now the facility’s new emergency room and trauma center will be named after the retailer.

A coalition made up of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, pediatricians and Parents for Ethical Marketing is asking Nationwide Children’s Hospital (named after a Nationwide Insurance donation) in Columbus to not use Abercrombie’s name. The group is worried because of Abercrombie’s controversial advertisements depicting scantily-clothed young people, which have had no lack of attention.

Abercrombie Goes Down Under(wear)

While other retailers announced their plans to close stores in the last week, Abercrombie & Fitch has gone the other route, making public its plans to launch an underwear line called Gilly Hicks. Management of the New Albany, OH-based company had previously called the brand “Concept 5,” as it is the retailer’s fifth chain.

Gilly Hicks already has a steamy website (WARNING: It does contain some nudity), which doesn’t surprise us, as Abercrombie is known for its controversial marketing campaigns. The new chain’s name is supposed to have something to do with Sydney, Australia.