Abercrombie & Fitch 2011 Annual Report Download - page 4

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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
G
ENERAL
.
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (“A&F”), a company incorporated in Delaware in 1996, through its
subsidiaries (collectively, A&F and its subsidiaries, are referred to as “Abercrombie & Fitch” or the
“Company”), is a specialty retailer that operates stores and direct-to-consumer operations. Through these
channels, the Company sells a broad array of products, including: casual sportswear apparel, including knit
and woven shirts, graphic t-shirts, fleece, jeans and woven pants, shorts, sweaters, and outerwear; personal
care products; and accessories for men, women and kids under the Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids,
and Hollister brands. The Company also operates stores and direct-to-consumer operations offering bras,
underwear, personal care products, sleepwear and at-home products for girls under the Gilly Hicks brand.
As of January 28, 2012, the Company operated 946 stores in the United States (“U.S.”) and 99 stores
outside of the U.S.
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31, typically resulting in a
fifty-two week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a fifty-three week year.
Fiscal years are designated in the consolidated financial statements and notes by the calendar year in which
the fiscal year commences. All references herein to “Fiscal 2011” represent the 52-week fiscal year ended
January 28, 2012; to “Fiscal 2010” represent the 52-week fiscal year ended January 29, 2011; and to
“Fiscal 2009” represent the 52-week fiscal year ended January 30, 2010. In addition, all references herein
to “Fiscal 2012” represent the 53-week fiscal year that will end on February 2, 2013.
A&F makes available free of charge on its Internet website, www.abercrombie.com, under “Investors,
SEC Filings,” its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form
8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as well as A&F’s definitive proxy materials
filed pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after A&F
electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”). The SEC maintains a website that contains electronic filings by A&F and other issuers at
www.sec.gov. In addition, the public may read and copy any materials A&F files with the SEC at the
SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain
information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
The Company has included its Internet website addresses throughout this filing as textual references
only. The information contained within these Internet websites is not incorporated into this Annual Report
on Form 10-K.
D
ESCRIPTION OF
O
PERATIONS
.
Brands.
Abercrombie & Fitch. Rooted in East Coast traditions and Ivy League heritage, Abercrombie &
Fitch is the essence of privilege and casual luxury. The Adirondacks supply a clean inspiration to this
preppy, youthful All-American lifestyle. A combination of classic and sexy creates a charged atmosphere
that is confident and just a bit provocative. Idolized and respected, Abercrombie & Fitch is timeless and
always cool.
1