The boss of Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) has stated she is “appalled and disgusted” by the intercourse trafficking claims in opposition to her predecessor Mike Jeffries.
She instructed Enterprise Dwell presenter Darren McCaffrey: “We’re appalled and disgusted at the allegations.
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“What we do at Abercrombie is proceed to do what we got down to do which is ready the brand new values for the corporate… and maintain our associates targeted on that.”
Ms Horrowitz was talking as A&F – recognized in its heyday for denims an T-shirts – opened a brand new flagship retailer on London’s Oxford Road.
She expressed confidence in its extra broad providing today and the UK economic system, regardless of the present malaise for development amid continued weak shopper confidence.
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A&F has been engaged on constructing a life-style model for its merchandise that appeals to girls of all ages
She stated she may “not be prouder” of what the retailer had develop into throughout her decade in cost.
A&F’s model took successful when the claims in opposition to Mr Jeffries – regarding his behaviour whereas operating the style and equipment firm – first emerged.
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Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries outdoors the federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York. Pic: Reuters
A&F started its personal investigation in 2023 earlier than an FBI inquiry was launched.
80-year previous Mr Jeffries, who led A&F from 1992 to 2014, has since pleaded not responsible to intercourse trafficking and interstate prostitution prices.
A complete of 15 males allege, within the indictment unveiled in October, that they have been induced by “force, fraud and coercion” to have interaction in drug-fuelled intercourse events.
The claims relate to the 2008-2015 interval and, in response to the court docket paperwork, came about globally in areas together with New York and London.
It emerged in December that Mr Jeffries’s authorized workforce was questioning his health to face trial on the grounds he has dementia.
Ms Horrowitz signalled in her interview that she was absolutely targeted on persevering with to guide the fightback for the model and its evolution in direction of an omnichannel “lifestyle brand” aimed toward girls of all ages.
A&F, which is getting ready its full-year outcomes for 2024, had stated following the core Christmas gross sales season that it anticipated to finish the 12 months with web gross sales development round 15% and {that a} turnaround plan, aimed toward bolstering profitability, was considerably forward of goal.
Nevertheless it has suffered a 27% decline in its share worth within the 12 months so far – with traders apparently questioning whether or not momentum will be maintained.
She stated of her confidence in its UK operations: “The UK is our second-largest business. We’ve had terrific growth here.
“I at all times say regardless of the financial occasions, the client has a selection of the place to buy and so they have been selecting us.”
