News Now! | Comin' up, Abercrombie & Fitch Westfield Southgate, Sarasota, Florida!...

Bobby and Amanda look ready! Are you?!
Image, Guy Aroch for Abercrombie & Fitch, @abercrombie Instagram, May 25

         SUMMER OF REJOICE! In what is unfolding as a most spectacular summer of new beginnings picking up wondrous pace, we are now set to witness the opening of the first full-price Abercrombie & Fitch store opening since in near of a total decade! Pack up your hot #AFstyle beachside wears, Aberladies and Fitchman, 'cause clear, bright, gorgeous South Florida is where it's goin' on!... #SUMMERISFOR

FIERCE Perspective! | Abercrombie's Not-So-Cool UK Pricing Strategy...

WRITTEN BY CAMERON, TSOF CONTRIBUTOR

         IT'S A WELL known fact that Abercrombie & Fitch prices in the United Kingdom are ridiculously high and not justifiable. I figured that with the new image that the Company is producing that the pricing strategy would be adjusted. How wrong was I? I placed an order this week on the American abercrombie.com (having a friend shipping my clothes to me), and I ventured to see how much it would've cost me had placed the order here.

Before we get started, I'll just say that I ordered an A&F Phone Charger - these aren't available in the UK, and so I've excluded that from my purchase total in the US. Also, I've excluded all taxes (UK VAT + that particular US State's sales tax), delivery fees, etc. I'll also mention that there was a 40% off outerwear discount on the US site and a 25% off the entire purchase (excluding outerwear, clearance, limited edition items, 3rd party merchandise and jeans). What I found was astounding, really. That's the only way I can describe it.

If I placed the order in the UK, it would have cost me £400.64 (US$655.17). Over in the US, it only cost me £189.12 (US$309). That's a staggering difference of £211.52/$346.17! I've broken down the order below in an Excel spreadsheet. You can click on the image to view a larger version.

Note: First two price-columns, items price in the UK with USD conversion; second two price-columns, items price in the US with GBP conversion; third two price-columns, difference in GBP and USD.

I honestly have no idea why A&F feels as if it can have such a large price difference between the UK and the USA. I mean, there's no possible explanation really. The prices shown were excluding VAT, so that's straight off the cards. There's no chance that it's shipping since it doesn't cost US$16.02 to ship a pair of boxers. There is absolutely no explanation that makes these price differences justifiable. A&F needs to make its pricing strategy more fair for all customers, considering the steep and concentrated levels of discounts for those in the US.

What do you think? Are you with me on A&F making price strategies fairer? Let me know below and I'll be sure to reply!

Cameron

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News Now! | Abercrombie Muslim Case Goes to Supreme Court...

         SIX YEARS AFTER a hiring incident involving the employment denial of a female Muslim for need to wear a hijab on the sales floor, case Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc. is now heading to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). The legal dispute has manifested into a more-than-a-half-decade battle that has now evolved to bring a very important question for businesses and at the highest court in the nation: "Whether an employer can be liable under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for refusing to hire an applicant or discharging an employee based on a 'religious observance and practice' only if the employer has actual knowledge that a religious accommodation was required and the employer's actual knowledge resulted from direct, explicit notice from the applicant or employee." The outcome will become a major ruling on hiring and employment policies on religious grounds in America.

In June 2008, then-17-year-old Samantha Elauf applied and attended a subsequent interview, wearing a black "headscarf" (hijab), for a position in sales at the abercrombie kids store in her local Woodland Hills Mall in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Present during the interview were then-managers Randall Johnson and Heather Cooke. Following the rigidly strict guidelines for sales associates, the "Look Policy", of the time, Elauf was ultimately denied, although originally having been marked a high contender for a position, because her wearing of a headscarf on the sales floor would be unagreeable with presentation as dictated to represent the brand (i.e. natural, classic look head-to-toe with strict regulations on whatever accessories/miscellaneous wearings). At one moment, Elauf recalled, "And he was like no she can't work here no matter what, wearing that on her head." The two were merely adhering to the Look Policy solely in regards to the headscarf.

Elauf naturally felt discriminated, nonetheless, and she took her complaint to the EEOC which made legal move, on her behalf, by filing lawsuit in September of that year. The complaint went on the grounds that Abercrombie & Fitch Co. prohibits headgear even when required out of personal religion and that there was no exception considered for Elauf. In this first stage, the verdict turned in favor of her in June 2011 when she was awarded US$20,000 in compensation charges though sans punitive damages awardings. During the trial, Deon Riley, VP of human resources for A&F at the time, testified before the court that the Company has made exceptions for individuals when it comes to religious needs, had not changed but made the policy more clear, and that the headcount and turnover are too high for training for expert capability on real sensitive circumstances and is why management is instructed to reach corporate human resources when the need arises. A jury was not needed for the case as it was determined there was no evidence of malice, though the judge did state that a jury with reason could find evidence involving the two managers of reckless disregard.

Abercrombie & Fitch did not agree with the 2011 verdict and appealed. In October 2013, the 10th United States District Court of Appeals overturned the previous verdict and ruled in favor of A&F; its grounds being that, ultimately, Elauf, despite wearing the headscarf during interview and the assistant manager having assumed she wore as being a Muslim, failed to explicitly ask for religious accommodations: "Ms. Elauf never informed Abercrombie prior to its hiring decision that she wore her headscarf or 'hijab' for religious reasons and that she needed an accommodation for that practice, due to a conflict between the practice and Abercrombie's clothing policy," the ruling stated. Individuals claiming religious discrimination should provide evidence they informed the employer of observed practices and needed accommodation, said the court. The new outcome was told to the U.S. District Court in Tulsa to be submitted in place of the original verdict in the case.

Obviously, the EEOC was not pleased and had no plans on backing down. Finally by May 17, 2014, a time-extension application on filing writ of certiorari was submitted to the Honorable Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor. She granted it on May 19 giving them time to June 26, and another application for another extension was submitted on June 16 which she granted on June 17 giving them time to July 25. The petition for writ of certiorari was filed on July 25 and, after going through the necessary processes, was granted on October 2 officially taking the legal dispute to the Supreme Court.

Title VII is a federal legislative piece of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that makes it illegal to discriminate on someone in the United States under any basis (including religion in relation to this dispute) for employment. Essentially, SCOTUS will be ruling to see if an employer, in a circumstance such as this one, can be said to be violation of Title VII for not hiring or firing someone in a particular matter of "religions observance and practice" ONLY if the employer was aware that religious accommodation was required and that such awareness came from direct, explicit notice from the individual.

If yes, the Supreme Court ruling will be in favor of A&F as Elauf has been determined as not having been direct about a need for religious accommodation. For such a case, if an employer can only be said to be liable under Title VII ONLY if the employer had knowledge of needed religious accommodations by direct, explicit statement by the individual, then there is no ground left for the Elauf complaint.

When applying for a job, you're not asked flat-out if you're a Muslim or a Jew or whatever because it shouldn't matter as it'd be illegal to base consideration of employment of an individual on their religion and belief observances. The question here is should you or should you not be having to explicitly state to the employer that you'll be in need of religious accommodation on the job for being required to wear a "head scarf" (hajib; Muslim), or long skirt (Pentecostal), or Yarmulke (Jew), or whatever else because of your religion. While at work, should you or should you not be able to just wear what you need whenever it arises, due to religion, without giving direct knowledge to the employer your need to and under consideration that there might be a conflict with dress code. If it's an all-the-time thing, to mention it directly during the hiring process. If it's a periodic thing, to mention it during hiring and/or before it comes up. Whatever the situation. Because, if the ruling for EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc. is yes, then you – anyone in America – will have no ground in suing an employer for not hiring or firing you – for wearing something that's out of place with the dress code in light of religious observance – as a result of you not having directly stated your need to do so in the first place because otherwise, had you done so, the employer would have made an exception for you.

We'll keep watch for any new developments on the case...

Stay FIERCE!

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Guest Voices! | Letter to Mike: A Very British Report – Part II...

GUEST

PETER

FROM

ENGLAND, UK

DISCUSSING

SITE OPERATIONS IN RELATION TO
SALES AND FEATURES

Hi Mike,

Are you ready for part two Mike? (Reader, see Part I). I've talked about the "bricks"; it's now time to get stuck into the "clicks" side of the A&F brand. I firmly believe that A&F's biggest battle is against the devil within, ignorance is not bliss and all parts of the business need to be working in unison to achieve the greater goals of making A&F relevant again. However, I see a website that is not working in harmony with stores, and it is positively working against them with the amount of promotions, cut through prices and raft of clearance merchandise, as well as poor website management. What incentive is there to support your local A&F store? So let's tackle the first big issue and that's price of merchandise!

Back when A&F launched in the UK there was uproar at the USD to GBP conversion for merchandise, but having the "cool" image and being the first overseas store, I can fully understand from a commercial point of view why this price point was set. Fast forward seven years and things are very different in the US and the UK. A worldwide recession, steadily increasing price points, a lack of inspiring garments, a reduction in quality and garment size (seven years ago a men's large polo was the same size as a current XL polo!) – the Abercrombie cool has started to wear thin. In a rising fast fashion environment not only is the quality of the garment important, but the price is also key. A GB£60 / US$60 plain polo shirt which over the last 10 years has almost seen a 100% increase in price, and which has also shrunk in size, just doesn't represent a return for your hard earned cash. Apart from a complete lack of inspiring designs, anyone who is prepared to paid full RRP really needs their head examined.

While not all A&F products are overpriced, I really do feel that a complete review of the pricing structure is needed. Let's be honest, the cost to make a £60 / $60 polo shirt isn't that much. After all, they all come from, i.e., China: a £20 / $20 reduction on the RRP would at least bring these down to a more realistic price point. A $60+ polo shirt has to justify its price point, not only in terms of garment quality but also design and originality and not just the same-old same-old which seems to be too often the case in the current collection of polo shirts. Apart from tees, I would bring the A&F price point down by, i.e., £20 / $20 on just about everything that's current price is greater than $50 (Editor's note: all polos at abercrombie.com, $60 (original price), in the US were on sale at $29-39 with an additional 25% off site-wide promotion at the time of the publication of this post), surely it is better to sell through products at the full RRP instead of relying on price promotions to shift merchandise..... Oh wait, this brings me nicely onto promotions!!

For those of you that do not live in the US, this isn't going to make pleasant reading (as the rest of us are lucky if we get a summer and winter sale). Well, in the US, it's a non stop party of promotions! Only mugs or if you shop in the 5th Avenue flagship store pay full price. Please let me indulge you while I elaborate regarding the multitude of offers and promotions. Here we go: dresses $29 and up, all men's and women's shorts $29 and up, all women's swimwear $12, men's $25; Memorial Day sale, whole store, yes you read that correctly, 40-60% off!! Clearance 70% off! Women's body care $5 a pop compared to £17 in the UK, that's a staggering $28!! How can this price difference be justified? So four body mists in the US for $20 of which amount of money wouldn't even buy one in the UK!

Why the hell would you pay full price with the amount of crazy sales on the US website?

Putting the Memorial Day sale to one side, I did a little bit of sales research. At the time of checking the A&F men's section of the website, a total of 676 items of men's clothing were on sale out of a total of 923 items. This is a whopping 73% of the entire men's range on sale! So how does it stack up for women's, I hear you ask, Mike. Well there were a total of 998 women's items on sale out of a total of 1353 items, so almost 74%. At least the percentages are consistent across both genders! The bottom line is, with this amount of reduced items, either sales are dire or your prices are too high in the first place, I'll let you decide, Mike, but I think I know the answer.....

What makes things even worse for the poor stores is prices online do not match up with the store prices. Now, I know some stores are excluded from some promotions and run different promotions, but let's make it simpler for the customer, let's have a clear pricing strategy that is as clear online as it is in stores: your current model is confusing and not customer friendly.

Now let's move onto clearance. I really hope that with A&F opening more outlets in the US and Europe (OK. I know we don't get a clearance section online anyway!) that the reduced clearance merchandise in-stores in the fabled back rooms can be shipped off to the outlets to make way for more current merchandise. While 70% off last winter's jumpers in the middle of May may seem like a right bargain, trust me, I would sooner see the clearance merchandise shipped off to the outlets where it belongs. In fact, Mike, I would like to see you remove the clearance section from the website totally, which at least would make the website current and, let's face it, there is enough sale merchandise without having another whole section of clearance merchandise to trawl through as well!

Now let's look at website management or lack there of sometimes. The website has improved, being able to search by size was long overdue, but there are some real fundamental flaws in the website. Let's cover off a few for you, Mike: skinny corduroy pants, located in the pants section of the UK website but the jeans section of the US website! The clue is "pants", Mike, why on earth are they in the jeans section? Misplacement of merchandise is a common theme as it happens: the ladies Floral Ball Cap sat in the men's baseball cap section of the UK website for months! It took almost two Summer/Winter sales before the men's South Notch Sweater was removed from the ladies' sweater section back to the men's section. What about the magical sale price reductions: oh, how I have laughed when certain outerwear garments have hit the sale with a whopping reduction [sarcasm] of 10p (15 cents)!! And sale items which actually go up in price when in the sale. You see, the thing is, Mike, this makes the A&F website look like it's run by a bunch of amateurs, so it does beg the question, Who checks your website and how often? Whoever it is, you should be asking them for a refund as they are taking you to the cleaners! After all, we are taking about an international brand with turnover revenue in excess of $4 billion a year now.

I'm not quite finished on website management. I was surprised as everyone when A&F Ashford outlet opened last May, but I didn't realise that it opened in the Bermuda Triangle. When you go to the store locator for the UK, there is no mention of A&F Ashford outlet even though the website is set up for stores and outlets! Embarrassed to let people know you have outlets Mike? Miromar outlets in Florida is on the website so why isn't Ashford? I thought the whole point of A&F Ashford was its prime location to catch Eurostar passengers coming over to UK from Europe. Well after being open for over a year, maybe it's time to reward the store with its name and location on the website, then A&F Ashford would really hit the big time!

The word commonly being bandied about for A&F is "stale", and the 2014 men's collection certainly doesn't help. how many inspiring items can you truly say are in the Spring-Summer 2014 collection? I'm not holding out for much of an improvement in the Fall-Winter collection!! But I do see signs of progress in the women's collection. Mike, the arrogance of A&F can no longer be ignored: it's time to get smarter, recognise your failings, and be seen to do something about them and bring all areas of the business together to work cohesively for the good of all brands. There is so much untapped potential that seems really basic retail business sense to me. Mike, I appreciate change takes time and Rome wasn't built in a day, but 21st century fashion retail is just as ruthless. With A&F's 122th anniversary here, it's time for a bit of humility from within. Change is good, and change is what drives us to make things better: I want to believe this will also be the case for all of the A&F brands in the near future.

As always, Mike, I will be keeping a close eye on future developments.

Abercrombie & Fitch sales, shorts, US, abercrombie.com

Abercrombie & Fitch sales, swim, US, abercrombie.com

Abercrombie & Fitch sales, dresses, US, abercrombie.com

Abercrombie & Fitch clearance, addition reductions, US, abercrombie.com

Abercrombie & Fitch 40-60% sale (these are not uncommon), US, abercrombie.com

A&F store locator, missing is Ashford outlet albeit designated
to show outlets as well, abercrombie.com

Abercrombie & Fitch men's shirts on sale, UK, abercrombie.co.uk.

Written content composed by Peter M. as Guest Voices contribution at The Sitch on Fitch.

Guest Voices is a healthy outlet of conversation in our A&F community and features respectably-voiced varying opinions from individuals within the community. The blog remains unbiased when publishing only if the content matter is in no way or form offensive and unfounded. Being from independent individuals, featured pieces do not represent opinion as held at The Sitch on Fitch though may or may not resonate to a degree with certain points with the team and its widespread audience: content matter in discussion is subject to personal, private consideration and perspective by each reader. Individuals in the A&F community are welcome to submit a Guest Voices piece to thesitchonfitch@aol.com.

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Stores Allure! | Hollister's New Storefront Rollout Continues...

WRITTEN BY CAMERON, TSOF CONTRIBUTOR

         WHEN ABERCROMBIE ANNOUNCED the new Hollister Co. storefront, I was optimistic. I had grown to love the beach shack entrance; it seemed very homely. The new storefront was such a dramatic change. For the first time ever, you could actually see inside the store. It is based on the Hollister storefront being primarily used in the Asian market.

Abercrombie initially announced that it was launching the storefront in some select locations, and the new storefront may be staying testing furthers with a few more stores being upgraded to the new facade. The Danbury Fair Mall in Connecticut, The Mall at Wellington Green in Florida, and the Del Amo Fashion Center in California are of the most recent...

HCo Del Amo Fashion Center, California.   |   Image, Store #30217

HCo Del Amo Fashion Center, California.  |  Image, Store #30217

HCo Del Amo Fashion Center, California.  |  Image, Store #30217

HCo Danburry Fair Mall, Connecticut.  |  Image, Retail Eye

HCo Danburry Fair Mall, Connecticut.  |  Image, Retail Eye

HCo The Mall at Wellington Green.   |    Image, Wellington Green

On the side of critique, Retail Eye did comment, "New Hollister mall store front. Inside same. Not sure I understand how this is going to improve comp."

Have you spotted a new store? Let us know on Instagram by tagging #THEHOTTESTBLOG! What do you think of the new stores? Comment below, and we'll be sure to reply!

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Cameron in Scotland! | New Body Care Scents at Hollister!

Hey guys,

Have any of you dudes noticed the all-new cheeky scents now available in Hollister? The brand's released two new body sprays: one named "Not Tide Down" and another called "Sprayed and Lei'd"...

 

I popped into the Buchanan Galleries store in Glasgow yesterday and bought three of Not Tide Down. I would've bought three of the Sprayed and Lei'd, if only I had been able to carry all of my purchases!

The prices are as follow:

UK: £12 each, or 3 for £24

US: $12 each, or 3 for $18

The cans are now available on the US and UK websites.

I have to say, I'm exceptionally jealous of all you guys in the USA. The price for 3 in the US, is actually just $5 more than buying just one can over here!

Have you bought a can? What do you think of the newest body sprays? Let me know in the comments below, and I'll be sure to reply to you!

Stay FIERCE
~Cameron

Cameron in Scotland! | #SoChill Savings!

Hey guys,

How are y'all? You might've noticed that the Hollister Mid-Season sale is on...here in the UK just now! Major sales don't happen that often over here, so definitely go and check it out. But for just now, I've decided to stick with the US website, so my post can feature a better variety of products.

At the time of this post being uploaded, the current HCo promotions are:
 - An additional 60% off clearance
 - An additional 30% off your purchase
 - All jeans are $25 and up
 - Free shipping on orders over $75 ($50 for Club Cali members)

Some of my favourite items are...

From top left to bottom right:

Santa Monica Tee - Shown in navy - Now $12.00 (here)
Laguna Beach Hoodie - Sherpa Lined - Shown in navy - Now $41.65 (here)

San Onofre Hoodie - Shown in white - Now $19.04 (here)
Wheeler Springs Hoodie - Shown in white - Now $48.97 (here)
Aliso Creek Denim Shirt - Shown in vintage medium wash - Now $29.00 (here)

                    Hollister Athletic Shorts - Shown in navy- Now $10.01 (here)


Remember that each individual store has their own clearance and may have some really great prices, so go check them out!

Stay FIERCE!
~Cameron

Guest Voices! | Abercrombie & Fitch Fall 2013 Sales Bargins...

GUEST

PETER

FROM

ENGLAND, UK

DISCUSSING

AMERICAN MARKET SALES

Well as much as I don't like the racks of clearance items or promotions (see my previous post), the cynic in me can't help but to bag a bargain at Abercrombie & Fitch...especially with the ridiculous amount of promos on. However, if you are expecting more controversy in this piece, the only thing you will find is the crazy low prices I paid in comparison to the full prices back here in the good old UK. So without further ado, I want to share with you some of the items that were too good to pass up and made their way into my suitcase for my return home! (I've also made notes of some bargains for the ladies, too!)...

Now my price conversion guide is as follows: original GB£ price in UK market compared alongside original US$ price in America; then clearance price of that item in US dollars, and then finally that clearance purchase price converted to UK pounds at a rate of US$1.56 (which was the rate at the time I used to covert my pounds to dollars). State tax has not been included.

All men like to smell good, (me too ha-ha!) so what better than a bargain cologne! A&F Crest will do nicely: GB£46; US$44, but at sale price of US$25 at £16!! A saving of £30 per bottle! Right, I'll have four of those then!

New tees? OK, let's have three different Newcomb Lake crew tees. UK£30; US$24.99, but at clearance for $12.49 at £8!! Yep you read that correctly!!

Cool denim shirts anyone? GB£78; US$78, but at sale price of $39 at £25! That's £53 I can spend on something else!

Pants, good for casualwear and workwear: UK£78; US$50, but on clearance for $25 at £16! Really? And we are talking olive not some of the crazy bright colours.

And as a final example for the men, you can't beat a nice comfy pair of sweatpants for loafing around the house: UK£68; US$68, but on clearance for $39 at £25!

What about ladies apparel I hear you cry? Long sleeve ladies' tees, as one example: UK£38; US$38, but on clearance for $9 at £6!

Another one for the ladies, a pink plaid shirt: UK£58, US$58, (this item had been red lined four times!) on clearance for $14.99 at £10!!

This is just a selection of my bargains in the crazy land of promotions that is Abercrombie & Fitch in the United States. One final thought: I wonder what the sales value is from other visitors to the US spending in A&F at the present time? Because no doubt this will be propping up domestic sales figures. Without these additional sales, the wheels would well and truly be coming off the A&F wagon...let's just hope one of them hits that damn fox (then what will it say)!!!

Over to you Mike...

Peter

P.S. Get a load of what I came home to in the UK. Limited and not as steeply low as in the US, but other international readers can get a look at how it is here. To get the same free shipping deal as in the US, here you have to spend the pound-to-dollar equivalent of US$160+...

Written by Peter for The Sitch on Fitch series, Guest Voices. Edited and published by Editor-in-Chief, C.E.R. Images by Peter for The Sitch on Fitch.