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! | Hollister Global Harbor, Shanghai Opening Soon

WRITTEN BY CAMERON, TSOF CONTRIBUTOR

         HOT ON THE heels of the first Abercrombie & Fitch store in mainland China – the recently opened A&F Flagship in Shanghai – the nation's fashion capital is now to see a brand new Hollister store. This latest Pier will be Shanghai's second, mainland China's eighth, and greater China's tenth (including the two in Hong Kong); it is set to open real soon in one of the country's busiest shopping centers, the Global Harbor Mall.

Two of the "Hottest Lifeguards" have arrived, and the associates are all ready to go. The store features the new store design with large windows. Have a look at snapshots from the associates and the official Hollister Global Harbor Instagram account below...

@globalharborhollister

@pinkuyooooolo

@globalharborhollister

@globalharborhollister

@globalharborhollister

@globalharborhollister

@globalharborhollister

@paulfrank1313

@globalharborhollister

Noticed the new Hollister shopping bags that the new associates are carrying? I personally think that they are quite frankly a massive disappointment, but at least the logo's nice.

As you can see, the excitement is building for the store's official opening at 10:00 (CST) on this Thursday, June 12! Make sure that you're there!

Are you planning on visiting, been or planning to? Leave a comment below. Also, share your photos on Instagram by using hashtag #THEHOTTESTBLOG!

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Stores Allure! | A Whole Host of New Stores

WRITTEN BY CAMERON, TSOF CONTRIBUTOR

         ABERCROMBIE IS NOW expanding the number outlet stores they currently have. There are a whole host of stores planned to open...

MIROMAR OUTLETS, ESTERO, FLORIDA
A&F and abercrombie Open Now!

Abercrombie has just opened it's first Floridian outlet store. It sells both Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids merchandise. Other brands at the outlets include Calvin Klein, GUESS, Michael Kors and Swarovski.

NEBRASKA CROSSING, GRETNA, NEBRASKA
A&F Opening Soon! 

Abercrombie will be opening a new outlet store in the super-modern Nebraska Outlet complex. It will sell  purely Abercrombie & Fitch merchandise. Other brands at the outlets include Forever 21, Kate Spade, Levi's and Polo Ralph Lauren.

WOLFSBURG DESIGNER OUTLETS, WOLFSBURG, GERMANY
A&F Opening Soon! 

Abercrombie's newest store in Germany will be at the Wolfsburg Designer Outlets. The store will offer Abercrombie & Fitch products at up to 40% off the RRP. Other brands at this prestige outlet centre include Fossil, Tommy Hilfiger and GANT.

THE STYLE OUTLETS, ZWEIBRUCKEN, GERMANY
A&F Opens Mid-July 2014!

Another of Abercrombie's new outlet stores will also be in Germany, but this time at The Style Outlets in Zweibrucken. The store will sell A&F merchandise. Abercrombie are joining the line-up of internationally known brands including Armani, Barbour, Diesel and Oakley.

LOTTE WORLD, SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
Hollister Co. Opening 24th July 2014 at 10.30am!

Hollister's newest store in South Korea will be in the brand new Lotte World Mall expansion. It is due to open at some point this year. Current tenants include Adidas, Nike and Sketchers.

IFS CHENGDU, CHENGDU, CHINA
A&F Opening 28th August 2014!

China is set to get a new Abercrombie & Fitch mall store. It will be located in the IFS Mall, Chengdu. The mall already features some of the worlds top brands, including Prada, Dolce & Gabanna, Valentino and Lane Crawford.


Come across any of the upcoming stores? Leave a comment below, or share a photo on Instagram with us by tagging '#THEHOTTESTBLOG'.

UPDATE: The A&F opening date for IFS Chengdu was found on Instagram. The post has been revised to show this.
UPDATE #2: The Hollister Co. opening date for Lotte World, Seoul was found on Facebook. The post has been revised to show this.

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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S.M. Highlights! | Abercrombie Shanghai Opening Promo Week Kickoff...

WRITTEN BY CAMERON, TSOF CONTRIBUTOR

         THE OPENING OF the first mainland China Abercrombie & Fitch flagship is just around the corner! And you know what that means... The A&F Guys have finally arrived in Shanghai to get the party started! Causing quite a stir among the stoked Shanghainese, the guys and flagship team are fired up to make history!

Check out these totally awesome sharings from the team and fans, and keep tuned for all the developing FIERCE fun...



#WELOVESHANGHAI!

"SHANGHAI, ARE YOU READY?
9 days and 10 hours till the first A&F in Mainland China
is finally open for business! @af_nanjingwest @abercrombie #abercrombiehot
#abercrombieshanghai #nanjingwestroad #nanjingwest #nanjingxilu
#jingan #kerrycentre #shanghai #china"   |   Dennel (teammember)
9     A  P  R  I  L     2  0  1  4

"Some of the shanghai flagship models getting ready for opening day!
4/19 #abercrombiehot #afassociates #abercrombieshanghai #afstyle
@afassociates @abercrombie"   |   Travis F. (teammember)
10     A  P  R  I  L     2  0  1  4

"对面A&F又在放人肉弹了→_→"   |   Kranz (fan)
11     A  P  R  I  L     2  0  1  4

"最终还是没有和裸男拍到照
等了一个小时，看到一大波裸男涌出然后就
不…见…了…😩😩😩门口的小哥和我们说"   |   Catherina J. (fan)
11     A  P  R  I  L     2  0  1  4

"#A&F #Abercrombie #musclemen #shanghai #jingan #kerrycentre
一大批muscle man涌来"   |   ssakiii (fan)
11     A  P  R  I  L     2  0  1  4

"Please ignore the hulk and focus on these handsome guys!!
#A&F (#Abercrombie&Fitch) is coming! It's ground opening day is on the
April 19th in the #Jingan #KarryCentre. #timeoutshanghai"   |   gulululu1120 (fan)
11     A  P  R  I  L     2  0  1  4

都！是！我！的！～ #AF#Abercrombie&Fitch"   |   dianalccc (fan)
11     A  P  R  I  L     2  0  1  4

"每一个小鲜肉都十分热情的说着蹩脚中文“快来拍照
。。。于是。。。我就一直在挑、一直在挑～# 进鸭店应该也就这个感觉了吧
#好紧张好害羞#等他们裸了我还要来#啧啧啧"   |   dianalccc (fan)
11     A  P  R  I  L     2  0  1  4

#abercrombie #abercrombieandfitch #aandf"   |   tseoiyee (fan)
11     A  P  R  I  L     2  0  1  4

"First day of work with the lads"   |   Andre S. (A&F Model)
11     A  P  R  I  L     2  0  1  4

Sick view Great guys."   |   Young J. (A&F Model)
11     A  P  R  I  L     2  0  1  4

"Elevator shot in Shanghai."   |   Jordan P. (A&F Model)
11     A  P  R  I  L     2  0  1  4

"Munching in the bus with the lads fun time!"   |   Young J. (A&F Model)
11     A  P  R  I  L     2  0  1  4

"Whereabouts #Abercrombie&Fitch"   |   Lei A.
11     A  P  R  I  L     2  0  1  4

"#Abercrombie&Fitch #Taiji"   |   Lei A.
11     A  P  R  I  L     2  0  1  4

Located at No.1515 Nanjing West Road at the Jing An Kerry Centre, A&F Shanghai opens on the 19th April 2014 at 10am (CST; UTC+8). The store is sure to be amazing...

Stay FIERCE!


A&F SHANGHAI
IS NOW OPEN!
(  R  E  A  D     O  P  E  N  I  N  G     D  A  Y     R  E  P  O  R  T  )  !


UPDATE (19 APRIL 2014): A&F Shanghai is now open! Read the exclusive opening day report you will only find at #THEHOTTESTBLOG, (here)!

Follow @TheSitchonFitch

Stores Allure! | Abercrombie & Fitch Shanghai Finishings Update...

WRITTEN BY CAMERON, TSOF CONTRIBUTOR

         LESS THAN FORTY days remain until the first Abercrombie & Fitch store opens in mainland China! The store is located on the beautiful grounds of the Jing An Kerry Centre (静安嘉里中心) on Nanjing West Road (Nanjing Xi Lu; 南京西路). The centre is continuously flourishing with exceptional offerings and a group of new tenants are working hard to open soon. Such brands to join A&F are Tory Burch (next door) and Burberry, too, among others as part of the new mix-use upscale project.

Finishing touches are being completed as the days count down and, on the elegant exterior, the previously standing hoarding wall has been taken down. The passerby can now take note of the beautiful, recently-installed "Abercrombie & Fitch" signage over the entrance – its doors to well soon welcome customers into the ultimate of the #ABERCROMBIEHOT experience...

Finishing touches being made to the exterior...
6     M  A  R  C  H     2  0  1  4

The beautiful exterior finished at long last...
7     M  A  R  C  H     2  0  1  4

The magical storefront looks stunning at night...
9     M  A  R  C  H     2  0  1  4

The store opens on the 19th of April, so stay tuned for much more to come before the exciting grand inauguration! Share your A&F Shanghai pics here with the hashtag, #THEHOTTESTBLOG...

Stay FIERCE!

P.S. Read up all about A&F Shanghai (here)!



A&F SHANGHAI
IS NOW OPEN!
(  R  E  A  D     O  P  E  N  I  N  G     D  A  Y     R  E  P  O  R  T  )  !


UPDATE (19 APRIL 2014): A&F Shanghai is now open! Read the exclusive opening day report you will only find at #THEHOTTESTBLOG, (here)!

Follow @TheSitchonFitch

News Now! | Hollister Co. New 2014 Store Format Rollout Begins...

WRITTEN BY CAMERON, TSOF CONTRIBUTOR

Official corporate computer generated rendering of new HCo. prototype, 2013.

         AS THE #NEWFUTURE begins settling in, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has started rolling out the all-new Hollister Co. storefront prototype. With prospects to begin transforming the HCo. chain of stores positively for a new age, the visually striking new front aesthetic incorporates flagship-elevated detailing and notably introduces the prominence of window display for these shopping center-based stores. The rollout of the new format is currently in its testing stage to be played out with select stores which are to keep the remodeling whatever the results.

One of the lucky Hollister stores to get the upgrade is HCo. store #30172 located in the Triangle Town Center mall of Raleigh, North Carolina. The store was closed for a month, but is now open again and looking great!

BEFORE: Hoarding wall being installed in preparation for the remodeling.

AFTER: HCo Triangle Town Center now open after the remodeling.

The new storefront can be much appreciated for its new, forward approach and as having the brand now more sophisticated and connected to the times. The beach hut entrance will be missed, but it perfectly seems the right time for the new store fittings to begin.

Voice out: what's your take on the new storefront format? Your store slated for the relift? Be sure to share your pics with hashtag #THEHOTTESTBLOG and show off your new store with the world!

Stay FIERCE!

Follow @TheSitchonFitch

News Now! | Gilly Hicks Regent Street, London Closing...

WRITTEN BY CAMERON, TSOF CONTRIBUTOR

Closed Gilly Hicks Regent Street store in late-afternoon, Hollister still
trading next door.  |  Photo by Patrick M. for The Sitch on Fitch

         AS IS UNFORTUNATELY well known, the Gilly Hicks brand has been shuttering its storefronts in light of a new future with a full focus on direct-to-consumer e-commerce operations. (Initial report: Part 1 | Part 2). All locations in its home United States market have now closed since last month.

While stores in the European market have remained opened for now while subject to applicable notice and consultation provisions, the first closing has now happened with a very high note. As of late, Gilly Hicks on Regent Street – the most high-profile Gilly Hicks store apart from GH Westfield London – will no longer be opening its doors for good. Memorably, GH Regent Street opened in unison with HCo on 12 May 2012 in the most ostentatious retail inaugurations event in London a few short weeks before the opening of the London 2012 Summer Olympics. The closing of the Gilly Hicks spot has been of particular curiosity to many since the announcement in November 2013 as to what will happen to such a premium commercial real estate piece in leased possession by A&F Co., and how it will be affecting Hollister as the property as a whole is internally one greater unit with the divisions having flowed into the other.

European stores which remain open as of now:

Westfield, London, UK (first ever European opening)

Bluewater, Kent, UK

Westfield Stratford, London, UK

St David's, Cardiff, UK

Centro Oberhausen, Oberhausen, Germany

Shop all the latest Gilly Hicks styles on the online store, gillyhicks.com. You are more than welcome to share your pics of remaining GH stores before their closings with the hashtag #THEHOTTESTBLOG...

Stay FIERCE!

Update 28/02/14 - The Gilly Hicks store in the Bentall centre has now closed. The post has been amended to show this.

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News Now! | Abercrombie & Fitch Fake Store in Kuwait...

WRITTEN BY CAMERON, TSOF CONTRIBUTOR

The latest fake A&F "store" to open.

         TAKING ADVANTAGE OF the great word-of-mouth that Abercrombie & Fitch is coming to the region, a store has recently opened up in the Middle East's Kuwait proclaiming itself to be an all-new A&F store. With its ridiculous storefront and totally off interior, the shop, found inside the Olympia Mall, is comically named "Abercrombie & Fitch stores" (with Arabic transliteration) and one can honestly hope that even the common layman with a small sliver of knowledge of A&F can discern this as totally fake. Looks nothing like an Abercrombie store, not even in the slightest.

Merchandise within the fake shop is purportedly comprised of Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie and Hollister wares. From observation from outside, it cannot be determined whether the merchandise itself sold in this store is counterfeit or not...though can't put it past them. Funnily, what is said is about this awful fake shop is that the prices are actually much higher than buying off of A&F Family authentic retail and online stores.

If you are unsure of whether a store is real or not, check out the store locator on each of the brand's official websites (abercrombie.com; abercrombiekids.com; hollisterco.com; and gillyhicks.com). It's your only source for all official A&F Family stores around the world. And to emphasize, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. only sells its products directly via its official retail and online stores.

Have you spotted a fake A&F store? If you have photos and or happen to pass by one, be sure to share them with us by using #THEHOTTESTBLOG hashtag on Instagram!

Do remember to report counterfeits and fake, illegal operations infringing on A&F Co. to the brand protection department at BP_tips@abercrombie.com. Check out what you need to know about A&F Brand Protection (here).

Stay FIERCE!

Follow @TheSitchonFitch

Stores Allure! | Hollister Co. Mall of the Emirates Opening Soon...

WRITTEN BY CAMERON, TSOF CONTRIBUTOR

         THERE'S A NEW store causing quite a buzz in one of the most upmarket shopping malls in the world. The hoardings have just been taken down over the past two weeks and the beautiful storefront of the brand new Hollister Co. store can be seen.

The store is causing such a storm because it symbolises the arrival of A&F in the United Arab Emirates. Helped by Majid Al Futtaim Fashions, an investment group, the brand is going to be expanding into the UAE over the next year. There is already an A&F store planned, although the location of it has not been released as of yet. The Hollister brand is the main focus for expansion as it has a wider target audience, which is helped by the lower price point.

The store features parts of the new design, which was shown at the quarterly earnings presentation back in October. The store design is similar to the Nanjing store which opened last month. I genuinely really like the design of this store, it adds a sort of modern look to the whole brand...

Anyhow, the store opens 10:00AM (UTC+4), 2 January 2014. Two "hot lifeguards" are already at the store, but are notably more covered up than normal! Head down to catch the opening of the new store, or even just to get a picture with the lifeguards!

It sure will be one great opening, and I'll be posting pictures from the opening day soon after!

Are you planning on heading to the new opening? Are you going to be working at the store? Whatever your thoughts on this upcoming great store... Drop a comment below and I'll be sure to get back to you!

Follow @TheSitchonFitch