Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. · United States
Abercrombie & Fitch is an American casual apparel brand founded in New York in 1892 as an outfitter for outdoorsmen. Its parent, Abercrombie & Fitch Co., based in New Albany, Ohio, also owns Hollister and has been led by chief executive Fran Horowitz since 2017.
| Founded | 1892, New York |
|---|---|
| Founder | David T. Abercrombie |
| Owner | Abercrombie & Fitch Co. |
| Headquarters | New Albany, Ohio, United States |
| Chief executive | Fran Horowitz (since 2017) |
| Group revenue | 5.27 billion US dollars (2025) |
| Website | abercrombie.com |
What is Abercrombie & Fitch?
Abercrombie & Fitch is a US clothing brand for men, women and, through abercrombie kids, children aged 7 to 14. It is the namesake brand of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., which describes itself as a global omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories. The company is headquartered on a campus in New Albany, Ohio, with regional offices in London and Shanghai.
History
David T. Abercrombie founded the business in New York in 1892 to equip elite outdoorsmen. Ezra Fitch bought a significant stake in 1900 and the company was incorporated in 1904. After a 1976 bankruptcy the name passed to Oshman's and then, in 1988, to The Limited. Under chief executive Mike Jeffries from 1992 to 2014 the brand grew rapidly with a casual luxury image and exclusionary marketing that became widely criticised. After his departure the company dropped its sexualised advertising and changed course. Fran Horowitz has been chief executive since February 2017.
Products and positioning
Today Abercrombie & Fitch targets young adults with elevated casual wear. The group's brands include:
- Abercrombie & Fitch for adults
- abercrombie kids
- Hollister for teens
- Gilly Hicks, sold mainly within Hollister
- YPB activewear
Business model and distribution
The company sells through its own stores and e-commerce. International expansion began in 2005 with Canada, followed by Europe in 2007 and Asia in 2009, but by the 2020s many international flagships had closed as the business shifted towards online sales. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. reported revenue of 5.27 billion US dollars and net income of 507 million US dollars for 2025. In 2026 it became the National Football League's first official fashion partner.
Why it matters
Abercrombie & Fitch is one of the most cited turnarounds in US fashion retail. Its move from a controversial, image driven model to a broader, more inclusive brand with a strong digital business has become a reference case for repositioning heritage mall brands.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Abercrombie & Fitch?
The brand belongs to Abercrombie & Fitch Co., a publicly listed company based in New Albany, Ohio. The company also owns Hollister, abercrombie kids and Gilly Hicks.
Who is the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch?
Fran Horowitz has been chief executive of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. since February 2017. She is credited with leading the brand's repositioning after the Mike Jeffries era.