On 9 May 2013, doors opened to the second Abercrombie & Fitch-branded location in the United Kingdom. For years, after the 2007 opening of the London flagship, the speculation of another A&F store opening in the UK was that of a possible high-tier "canoe"-type store as such seen in malls across America. With news of it received in mixture of excitement, confusion, and dismay, the A&F Ashford Outlet store – only about 60 minutes southeast of London – inaugurated as the follow-up opening to A&F London. But the greatest of all irony is that this retail spot also marked the opening of the first abercrombie kids location in the UK...with all the pomp and circumstance that an outlet store can make. Woo! ...Blesseth be thee, poor child. LOL
Normally, outlet stores receive the least of interest and attention...if any at all. However, because the dual A&F / abercrombie kids outlet at Ashford, Kent, was to be the second of an Abercrombie in the UK, there was indeed considerable more buzz than usual for such a type of retail store. See original post (here). Nevertheless, the opening came and went...as if in another dimension, yes...and nothing else came out of that.
Though given how connected and resourceful The Sitch on Fitch can be, we inevitably always end up delivering the exclusive goods! Thanks to our English correspondent Peter, THE HOTTEST BLOG now brings you mystery-quenching insights into England's dual A&F / abercrombie kids outlet (factory) store...
The combined sales space is one of the biggest of the shops at the Ashford Designer Outlets. There is a double-door entrance for Abercrombie & Fitch and its designated area, and for abercrombie kids separate, respectively. However, keep in mind that the kids range is merchandised in the main store and a not separate place. As everyone inquires about the pricing strategy, here's the dish on one example: the mens Shaw Pond Shirt (store price, £68 [US$105]; temporary online sale, £44.99 [US$69]; outlet price, £36.99 [US$51]). The closest currency swap approximation to that in the American market is a mens shirt (orig. price US$68 [£44]) on clearance for US$39.99 (£29.90). Reduction pricing varies, of course, even in one category; and womens is on par with mens in that regard. Obviously, you can also note some other prices in the awesome pictures above!
Oh, yeah, and the shopping bags are not so hot...
Anyway, stay FIERCE!
The Sitch on Fitch thanks its English correspondent Peter for his significant part in the development of this post. Images in this post are by Peter for The Sitch on Fitch, and they may not be used/altered without permission by the author. Images © Peter, The Sitch on Fitch. Written content © C.E.R., The Sitch on Fitch.