The Abercrombie Kids brand will begin its international expansion,

Oracle Retail Point-of-Service is currently live in more than 20 stores and the retailer is rolling it out in all new stores opened across the globe this year.Abercrombie and Fitch expects the Oracle Retail stores application to be deployed at all store locations by the end of next year.Abercrombie and Fitch implementation of Oracle Retail Point-of-Service includes an on-screen keyboard and a streamlined user experience to support the retailer’s distinctive in-store experience. The retailer is currently in phase two of its merchandising and stores implementation. This phase will be live in the Fall of 2009 to support the international opening of stores in Milan and Tokyo. The Oracle Retail applications are being implemented and managed on Oracle Enterprise Linux to help provide a more flexible, reliable, and cost effective solution. The retailer has also standardised on Oracle Database 11g.

“There is no question that our strategic relationship with Oracle Retail is delivering meaningful value to our business and will take on an increasingly important role as we move forward with our strategy and key growth initiatives,” said Kristen Blum, Senior Vice President and CIO, Abercrombie & Fitch. “Oracle Retail not only provides us with industry-leading, best practice applications and technology, but they have partnered with us across the board to get maximum value out of the systems as we aggressively drive our business

Fashion is a fast-paced, challenging retail segment, and smart retailers like Abercrombie & Fitch recognise that the effective use of technology can help them better connect with their customers and create long-term competitive advantage,” said Duncan Angove, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Oracle Retail. “Abercrombie & Fitch have examined their business and strengthened their competitive position, and they will be well positioned to succeed and thrive as the retail industry overall returns to its dynamic nature.”

Oracle is a provider of innovative and comprehensive industry software solutions for retailers — enabling organisations to serve their customers better by applying insight into daily business decisions for more profitable results. With software that provides supply chain, operations, merchandising, store systems.


Abercrombie & Fitch introduced abercrombie in 1997 with 9 stores. The purpose was to attract a younger audience to the American Abercrombie brand. The name of the concept took the same font of its parent, but with a navy color. The abbreviation from “Abercrombie & Fitch” to “abercrombie” with lowercase letters was intended to provide a children’s image. The store prototype was as the A&F one, but with variations also intended to appeal to the younger audience. Early abercrombie models include Ronnie Smith, Cassie Ventura, Christina Akatsuka, Christian Valentin, and Lindsay Lohan.
Abercrombie kids stores are designed to give off a “classic cool” effect. They are designed as “canoe stores,” displaying the a similar floor layout as Abercrombie & Fitch’s (the retail space is divided into multiple rooms). However, the kids prototype does bear differences. It has no louvers to cover the windows, has brighter lighting, is smaller in retail space, blasts electronic dance music and pop music from young artists, and displays marketing pictures with young models resembling those at A&F. The signature fragrance, “Phelps”, is sprayed store-wide. However, in late 2008, most new stores have added wooden louvers.


abercrombie kids’ apparel is designed to mimic Abercrombie & Fitch clothing, and the brand carries most the styles that A&F does. Most abercrombie kids clothes that have the labeled moose on them are to resemble their parent company “Abercrombie & Fitch” but the kids signature moose is a smaller to symbolize that they are children. The trademarked term, “classic cool”, is used to promote the clothing on an in-store and website level from abercrombie and it acts as the more juvenile version of A&F’s slogan “Casual Luxury”. The “classic cool” trade mark was retired in 2007 along with Abercrombie and Fitch’s “Casual Luxury”. Jeans bear the same back-pocket-stitching pattern as A&F as well as the same fits respective to sex. The logo moose is prominently displayed on clothing as is the name “abercrombie” as well as the year of establishment, “1892″ (Abercrombie & Fitch was itself established in 1892, but in reality, the children’s’ line “abercrombie” was not started until 1997). Clothing is categorized within the “guys” and “girls” divisions. Price points are on par with those at sister brand Hollister Co.

The brand carries the following fragrance collections: “Phelps” cologne, “Chase” cologne and “Cologne 15,” as well as “Emerson,” “Spirit” perfume, and “Perfume 15″. The brand released the “abercrombie” cologne and perfume set previous to 2006; however, it was retired Christmas 2007. Chase and Spirit were released Christmas 2006 and were followed by Cologne 15 and Perfume 15 being released Christmas 2007. Chase is set to retire from stores after the Back to School 2009 season is over, however will be available on the abercrombie website until 2010. New fragrance Phelps and Emerson were released for Christmas 2008.


The Abercrombie Kids brand will begin its international expansion, following its sister brands Abercrombie and Fitch and Hollister Co., in Canada. The first store has opened at Sherway Gardens with the opening postponed by a few days. Toronto Eaton Centre opened an abercrombie kids store on November 26th 2008. abercrombie kids may soon follow the international expansion outside of North America

Abercrombie & Fitch has begun planning openings of non-A&F flagships for its brands in high-retail venues. The Company will open the first Hollister Co. flagship in SoHo 2009. abercrombie kids will follow this trend. The first abercrombie kids flagship opening will acompany the opening of the Abercrombie & Fitch flagship in Milan in 2009. This opening is one of the main comminments the A&F company has for fiscal 2009.This opening will mark the first international store for the abercrombie brand.

Continuing the flagship trend, A&F is also committed to opening a second abercrombie flagship in New York City in 2010. It will be located on 666 Fifth Avenue, and will include 22,000 square feet of retail space. The location was the previous failed-retail spot of Brooks Brothers which vacated January 31, 2009. Construction has begun and marketing has been erected on the facade. 666 is also one of the most expensive retail spaces on the Avenue. This future abercrombie flagship will be near its Abercrombie & Fitch sister flagship and such luxury boutiques as Chanel, Fendi, and Prada.Abercrombie kids stores are designed to give off a “classic cool” effect
As of 2008, abercrombie operates a total of 209 stores in the United States. abercrombie kids opened its first Canadian store on August 21, 2008 at Sherway Gardens in Toronto, Ontario. Another abercrombie kids store opened at Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto, Ontario around the end of November.As of February 2008, there are stores in every state except for Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont (Closed in 2005), West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Abercrombie Kids (marketed as “abercrombie” or “abercrombie kids”) is a American lifestyle brand from Abercrombie & Fitch Co. This brand is the kid’s version of the popular Abercrombie & Fitch, with a “classic cool” theme targeted towards elementary/middle school individuals aged 7 through 14. Abercrombie kids offers apparel designed after the A&F “Casual Luxury” apparel but with smaller sizes and cheaper prices. Goods are sold in stores and at their website

Commission Rejects Abercrombie Fund Transfer

HONOLULU -- The state Campaign Spending Commission members ruled against U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie and Fitch transferring funds from his Congressional campaign to his campaign for governor.

The commission sided with the attorney for Mayor Mufi Hannemann's campaign committee and an attorney for the Hawaii Republican Party. Both fought to block Abercrombie from transferring his federal campaign money to his state gubernatorial run.
The commissioner ruled 4-0 with one abstention. The one commissioner abstained because his law firm represents a candidate running for office.

Abercrombie and Fitch attorney Karl Sandstrom argued that state and federal law does not rule directly against a candidate transferring funds from a federal campaign to a state campaign. The commission is making up laws, Sandstrom said.
"We are disappointed with the decision because we believe state law does not expressly prohibit transfer of federal surplus funds to state campaigns," Sandstrom said. "All candidates should be treated equally, and the commission should not sanction double standards."
Abercrombie wanted to move $900,000 from his federal campaign to his run for governor. Without the transfer it would leave Abercrombie with about $400,000 in his war chest.
"I think the law is pretty clear that the federal funds don't fit into our state scheme. The state has its own comprehensive law, which really governs what funds can be contributed and what can be spent in a state campaign," Smith said.
The commission has said that Hannemann can transfer funds from his mayoral campaign to his campaign for governor because the money remains within the state.
Hannemann has $1.2 million in his campaign for governor.
Sandstrom said they are considering an appeal, but they have not made a decision yet.

Abercrombie and Kent Residence Club Offers Trial Memberships

The posh Abercrombie and Fitch & Kent Residence Club is offering a trial membership for those interested in trying out one of the club's multi-million-dollar residences (and really who wouldn't be?). The Trial Membership offers access to beach, mountain and golf destinations in idyllic vaction spots including the Turks & Caicos, Deer Valley and Kiawah Island.

Most residences are 4,000 square feet with four bedrooms and at least four bathrooms providing a luxurious home away from home for a gathering of family and friends to celebrate a special event or just gather for some much-needed relaxation. The Trial Membership provides access to the full range of Abercrombie and Fitch & Kent Residence Club services including a dedicated Global Experience Manager to orchestrate every aspect of your stay, greeting at the airport and private transportation to the residence, pre-arrival grocery shopping, daily housekeeping and the local knowledge and activity-planning assistance of a Destination Host.

For a limited time, Trial Membership in the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club is available for $1,400 per night. Reservations can be made for a minimum of three and a maximum of seven nights and can be made from two to 180 days in advance of travel date but must be made by September 30, 2009. More details on the club website.

As the Sherpa Report mentioned last month, this is actually a trend with several other clubs including Exclusive Resorts, Ultimate Escapes and Quintess also all offering trial memberships to tempt travelers during a time when people are cutting back on their vacationing.

Simple is Classic - links of london is Simple links of london is Classic

There will never the last piece of jewelry in women's casket, for they could not resist the temptation of brilliant links of london. Have you ever pay attention to your constellation when choosing jewelry? Many of you may never do that, but actually the right jewels that are matched well with your constellation will bless and highlight you in some way. Since jewels, as an indispensable ornament to dresses, play an important role in displaying one's distinctive personalities if they are properly matched. But it is a big question for many women to choose jewelries properly linksoflondon. Hope the following knacks about how to choose and match jewelries properly may be of use to you. When choosing jewels, make sure that the jewels are matched with your complexion, dresses, personalities, profession, etc. The most important principle: don't make your jewels go the same with your face shape as well as go opposite to it. Opposite to the round face, a rectangle wants to add width to take away from you length, so you want to stick with shorter and thicker necklaces having lots of chokers. Besides, a good drop earring compliments a square face, while a button style. looks best on a rectangular face. The match of short hair and ear stud will impress others as smart and capable. The black dress could be decorated with some brightly colored links of london. Authentic links london jewellery combining elegance, nobility, and female charm together are most suitable for dinner parties. However, red and other dark color could not be more suitable for people with fair skins. No one could be more suitable than the plump people for these brilliant jewels which often present nobility.

A chastened Abercrombie and Fitch Co. said Friday

A chastened Abercrombie and Fitch Co. said Friday it is actively lowering prices and trying to catch up with fashion trends such as dresses as the retailer reported a fiscal second-quarter loss and its third straight quarter of double-digit sales declines.The preppy teen retailer entered the recession determined to wait it out, maintaining its relatively high prices and investing internationally. But consumers have abandoned Abercrombie for lower-priced options such as Aeropostale Inc. and American Eagle Outfitters Inc.
In response, the company has cut jobs and shuttered its even higher-priced Ruehl chain aimed at 20- and 30-somethings.
CEO Mike Jeffries said the company made a misstep with Ruehl.
"The biggest learning from Ruehl is that as a company, we don't do 'mature' well," Jeffries said in a conference call with investors.
Jeffries said the company has introduced lower prices and will lower prices even more in coming quarters.
"We continue to be confronted with very challenging conditions during the second quarter," Jeffries said. "Consumer spending patterns domestically continue to be dictated by cost and value propositions, and this is clearly a headwind for our premium brands."
In the quarter ended ended Aug. 1, Abercrombie's loss totaled $26.7 million, or 30 cents per share. That compares with profit of $77.8 million, or 87 cents per share, a year ago.
Quarterly results included $24.4 million in charges for the Ruehl closing and store asset impairment charges. The company would not provide a per-share loss excluding the closure. However, Thomas Weisel Partners analyst Liz Dunn estimated the loss excluding one-time items would be about 8 cents per share.
Analysts forecast a loss of 7 cents per share. Analyst estimates typically exclude one-time items.
Sales dropped 23 percent to $648.5 million, but that topped analyst expectations of $646.5 million.
New Albany, Ohio-based Abercrombie & Fitch Co., which operates of namesake stores as well as abercrombie, its children's apparel brand; surf-themed Hollister; and intimate apparel store Gilly Hicks, said sales in stores open at least one year, a key retail metric known as same-store sales, dropped 30 percent. Same-store sales fell 27 percent at namesake stores, 29 percent at abercrombie stores, 33 percent at Hollister and 31 percent at Ruehl.
Known for preppy offerings such as jeans and polo shirts, Abercrombie said it is working to improve its fashion offerings, particulary for women. Dresses and belts have been selling well.
"We are always pushing ourselves ... but have admittedly missed some of the fashion opportunities that drove the business in the spring," Jefferies said.
Prices are also in flux. The company said the average prices will be lower in the third quarter and upcoming quarters than the second quarter.
"We are planning to deliver greater reductions in (average unit retail price) for the fall season, but we'll continue to review pricing on an ongoing basis," Jefferies said.
The company slashed marketing, general and administrative costs during the quarter, down 19 percent to $88.7 million from $109 million last year.
The closing of Ruehl, its store focused on handbags and other accessories and aimed at older shoppers, should be complete by the end of the fiscal year.
Jeffries said the company's Gilly Hicks intimate apparel brand, which was skewing older, will now be aimed at the company's 20-year-old target market.
"We are young, we're sexy, we're controversial at times," Jeffries said. "That's what we know how to do, and that's the business that we own here and are comfortable that we can around the world."
Abercrombie had "pretty decent results, better than we expected," said Keybanc Capital Markets analyst Ed Yruma. "They're getting traction on changes in their promotional strategy, including being more focused on denim and on opening price points."
Shares rose 99 cents, or 3 percent, to $33.95 during morning trading.

Audigier, Ed Hardy Settle Lawsuit

Designer Christian Audigier, whose Nervous Tattoo Inc. licenses the Ed Hardy brand from tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy, has settled a $100 million claim filed against him by Hardy’s Hardy Way LLC last February.

Terms of the settlement were not released. Hardy filed the suit claiming he was underpaid royalties and that Audigier underreported sales for the Ed Hardy clothing line, known for its embellished T-shirts featuring Hardy’s tattoo work.

The lawsuit also accused Audigier of launching his eponymous line against the terms of the licensing agreement.

Since the lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Hardy has aligned with Iconix Brand Group, which acquired a 50 percent stake in the company in May.

“I am happy to announce that a settlement has been reached. This partnership pools the tremendous talent and resources of both Nervous Tattoo and Hardy Way and will secure the Ed Hardy brand as a leader in the fashion world for generations to come,” Audigier said in a statement. “Putting the past behind us allows us to focus on the future, and with this partnership in place, the future has just begun.”

Audigier Brand Management Group, which oversees the Nervous Tattoo division, manufactures apparel under the Christian Audigier, Ed Hardy, Smet, Crystal Rock, Paco Chicano, Rock Fabulous and Vif Speed Shop labels.—Ed hardy Guide

Abercrombie to Lower Prices, Focus on Being Sexy and Controversial

Abercrombie and Fitch Co. lost $26.7 million in the second quarter. This being the third straight quarter of double-digit sales declines, changes are afoot! Executives have finally realized the dissonance between the brand's cost and its value. At last they've decided to lower prices, try to sell clothes that people see a point in purchasing, and focus on their greatest strength: sexy 20-year-olds who enjoy riding horses naked through the woods. CEO Michael Jeffries says he learned something after Ruehl shuttered in June: “We are young. We are sexy. We are controversial at times. That’s what we know how to do and that’s the business that we own here and are comfortable that we can around the world.”

The "most dramatic" price reductions will take effect next quarter and be most noticeable at Hollister and Abercrombie Kids. More than 270 leases are up for renewal in 2011, and the chain is likely to shut some Abercrombie and Fitch stores. Jeffries said the label won't open any more flagships in the U.S., but plans to "accelerate the opening of international Hollister stores in 2010 and 2011." The Germans ought to have a greater appetite for scary dark techno caves during daylight hours than Americans do.