Abercrombie Paper
Background Information
Abercrombie & Fitch is well-known in the world of retail. The company began as Abercrombie and was founded in 1892 by David T. Abercrombie. The original store was on Water Street in the heart of Manhattan. Abercrombie started off selling the highest-quality camping, fishing, and hunting gear. In 1900, Ezra Fitch bought a share of the company. The store name was officially changed to Abercrombie & Fitch four years later. After Abercrombie's resignation in 1907, Fitch made the company the largest sporting goods store in the world. Some of the company's past clients include Ernest Hemingway, Amelia Earhart, Howard Hughes, the Duke of Windsor, and President Taft.
Over the years, Abercrombie has evolved dramatically. What was once a sporting goods store has turned into a leading specialty apparel retailer. Abercrombie's corporate offices are located in New Albany, Ohio, and the current president of the company is Michael S. Jeffries. Abercrombie has three types of retail outlets, each targeting a different target market. The Abercrombie & Fitch store targets consumers ages 18 through 24. For consumers aged 7 to 14, a store called abercrombie satisfies their needs. The newest concept is Hollister Co., designed with consumers aged 14 to 18 in mind. As of February 2003, there were 340 Abercrombie & Fitch stores, 146 abercrombie stores, and 94 Hollister stores. The retail stores are generally located in shopping malls and central business districts throughout the United States. Currently, there are no international stores. In total, Abercrombie employs about 16,700 associates.
Major competitors include American Eagle, Aeropostale, and the Gap. Abercrombie's competitive advantage over these competitors is the quality of the products. Abercrombie and Fitch is known for long-lasting apparel. The company itself has been around since 1892, and people have faith that they are getting a quality product. Others...
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